EricCast

Ruben Studdard won the second season of American Idol. Clay Aiken was runner-up. Thus began two major music careers and a friendship that became akin to family. Now, in 2023, the two Idols are going on tour together. In this episode, we talk about how friends were the only reason they tried out for Idol, how music, technology, and social media has changed the landscape, which older artists they've gained appreciation for and which new ones they have their eye on, and more reflections on 20 years entertaining people - and what they have planned for their shows.

Country music star Kathy Mattea broke out in 1986; she has seen and experienced many changes in the music industry since as she continues to tour. We spoke with her about the community spirit for artists, how you can now cut and distribute a hit record using your phone, her experiences in the Midwest (including her bus getting boarded by Oprah's show) and how she lost her voice for a time and was able to regain it - with a little help from Tony Bennett and some coaches. Our conversation precedes a particular concert date in a high school auditorium in Wisconsin - weeks before she woulf perform at the Grand Ole Opry. We were interviewing her on WLKG-FM's Good Morning Show from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and here is the full conversation.

Foreigner burst onto the scene in 1977 and immediately impacted the rock world. Bassist Rick Wills joined the group in 1979 for the "Head Games" album and has been with them on and off ever since. Still touring with Foreigner, I sit down with Rick for 15 minutes to discuss his origins with David Gilmour and Peter Frampton, why it pays to hang out in pubs, trying to cash a big check in NYC in the 70s, what it's like touring now vs. then, and I share the big thing I missed on their "Head Games" album cover, all in this episode of the EricCast.

Ray Parker Jr. is known for "The Other Woman," songs with Raydio like "You Can't Change That," and of course "Ghostbusters." But his roots in Detroit meant he was playing clubs in his teens and was lead guitarist for Stevie Wonder on his 1972 tour with the Rolling Stones. Parker Jr. wrote hits for Rufus & Chaka Khan and played with everyone from Diana Ross and Barry White to The Carpenters and Boz Scaggs. He has a new documentary coming out and his current tour means a trip to Milwaukee, giving Eric an opportunity to talk with him about his remarkable career.

A farm boy from Nebraska discovered cable - sorta - and became a huge comedian with the help of morning radio and a friend he met during Atlanta Braves spring training games named Jeff Foxworthy. Larry the Cable Guy hooked audiences up with laughter across the country in the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and is still at it. Ahead of his Milwaukee show, I talk with Larry about his Wisconsin-native wife (and how their wedding - the least fancy wedding ever - only cost $185), how he got started, his love of golf and country life, how he almost hit a home run at Miller Park, and where he has beers on layaway. And he didn't have to apologize for a single joke in this one!

Lewis Black has been described as "a passionate performer who is more pissed-off optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon." He rants on everything from politics to how Starbucks showing up on opposite corners of the same street corner is a sign of the end. His observations skewer everything, and offers more insight at times than serious commentators. Ahead of his Milwaukee appearance, Eric Paulsen talked with Lewis about his days working at the Appalachian Regional Commission (bet you didn't know about that!), when baseball gets only two strikes, the best bar in the world (it's in Wisconsin) and the beer named for him, what he enjoys most outside of stand-up, and what to expect with the all-new material on his current tour. All in 10 minutes.

He was the first person to say "Live From New York, It's Saturday Night!" He hosted Weekend Update and then got into movies from Foul Play to Caddyshack to Fletch, and of course the series of National Lampoon's Vacation movies. Ahead of his coming to Milwaukee for a screening of Christmas Vacation where he'll do Q&A, I got to talk with Chevy Chase about falls with President Ford, working with the cast of Caddyshack characters, what Jimmy Stewart said to him when he introduced himself (it was brief), observations on making the Vacation movies, and just what the heck the "W" in Clark W. Griswold stands for. It all starts with me interrupting his breakfast at home. Listen here!

Lou Ferrigno turned near-deafness as a child into motivation to become Mr. Universe and a series of other bodybuilding titles, which led to acting and his role as The Incredible Hulk. Since then, he's acted in movies, led exercise programs as the behest of a President, has been deputized in 22 states, and can be seen shortly at Wizard World. Eric talks with Lou ahead of his Madison appearance, October 25-27, 2019.

For all the controversy around the Jerry Springer Show and its reflections on our culture, Jerry Springer himself remains. Born in England after his parents fled Nazi Germany, Springer followed passions of politics and law; becoming a mayor led him into news, which led to the ascent of The Jerry Springer Show in 1991. Now, as 2020 nears, his law experience takes center stage as he begins a new career and show as a legal judge deciding real cases on a new show, Judge Jerry. How did this all happen? Eric Paulsen talks with Jerry about how his life interests and fate brought him to this point in his unique career.

Toto is celebrating 40 Trips Around the Sun and then some with a tour. Ahead of a show in Madison, Wisconsin, Eric Paulsen talks with guitarist Steve Lukather about the band, its origins, his career as a legendary guitarist playing with everyone from A (Aretha) to Z (Zevon) and more.

What it's like to go from computer programming in 1975 to touring the world as Air Supply, opening for Rod Stewart, a year later? What's the best term for their music? How have they been able to ride the roller coaster of music and touring all the way to successful shows in 2019? Soaring tenor Russell Hitchcock, one of the two anchors in Air Supply, talks about all that and more in advance of a Milwaukee show (September 7th, Pabst Theater) with Eric in this EricCast.

If you haven't heard of Them Coulee Boys, you will. This Wisconsin band named after unusual geography (and technically, incorrect grammar) blends bluegrass, rock and punk into a style of Americana that's expanding to new audiences with a new album and tour. Lead singer Soren Staff talks with Eric Paulsen about what's ahead and what they've seen in the changing music business since they formed - at camp, of all places - in 2013.

Between 1917 and 1932, a little-known activity was taking place in small-town Wisconsin: inside a chair factory, some of the earliest Blues, R&B, Jazz, and Country classics were being recorded, pressed into 78rpm records, and distributed by Paramount Records, often bringing up African-American artists from the Mississippi Delta. Today, music fans around the world are becoming aware of how monumental - and unique - these early music sessions were and how its influence still affects music today. Find out more about Paramount, and the Paramount Music Festival that celebrates this history, in this episode of the EricCast.

The Little River Band formed in Australia in 1975, in a sense as a "supergroup." Wayne Nelson, bass player and lead singer, joined the group in 1980. Before and during Wayne's tenure, lineup changes have continued and both their classic and newer songs have been enjoyed by millions worldwide. Wayne joins Eric for a discussion about the band, changes, new and old music, playing for what you believe in, and why "yacht rock" is so popular even with new generations - all ahead of an upcoming Milwaukee show in this EricCast episode.

Cream puffs and bug tacos(?!?), carnival games to thrilling rides, street performers to major national touring acts, and animals from newborn chicks to prize heifers adorn the 2019 Wisconsin State Fair, which runs August 1-11. There's so much to see and enjoy - some traditional, some new. In this EricCast, Eric sits down with Wisconsin State Fair Director of Public Affairs Kristi Chuckel to cover everything from the Fair's history to the 65+ new foods you'll find, and from the farmers and animals to the biggest concerts, things you can buy, and fun you can have with the whole family. WiStateFair.com has details on all the Fair activities!

Harry Casey, better known as "K.C." all his life, started KC & the Sunshine Band in 1973, incorporating a love of horns and R&B rhythms. By the mid-1970s, the band was leading the way in dance clubs. KC talks with Eric about all the action then and since, from an accident that sidelined him for a year to how Arsenio Hall coaxed him out of retirement. They continue to tour in 2019, shaking booties and getting down at night - because that's the way (uh huh) they like it.

Loverboy formed in 1978, where their name caught attention (especially in Japan) and the legacy of numerous Canadian bands coalesced to form his rock and hits machine that made us all work for the weekend. Eric talks with co-founder and lead guitarist Paul Dean, where topics include how an 8-year-old's indifference to their original name caused them to change it, how to play the washboard properly, what Harley events can do to their crowd, and how John Mayer has influenced Paul's latest solo effort - all as Loverboy continues to tour together.

Styx is a classic rock and roll band, touring and ready to play great venues like Summerfest in Milwaukee, Eric Paulsen had a chance to talk with their bass guitarist Ricky Phillips about the band, his previous bands like The Babys and Bad English, and the industry and touring as a whole - including the completion of excellent 10x10 album, which features a variety of rock legends in the wake of Ronnie Montrose's passing.

Make-A-Wish Wisconsin works to grant wishes for children battling serious - often terminal - illnesses, making dreams come true for them and their families. Eric Paulsen sits down with Make-A-Wish representatives to discuss how they accommodate these kids' wishes and how an upcoming Milwaukee area event on 6/29/19 will help. More details on the event are available at wisconsin.wish.org.

The Hoan Bridge is a major transportation artery and a city landmark. These distinctive arches welcome ships from Lake Michigan, speed drivers in and out of downtown, and even serve as cover for some Summerfest shows. Giving it dynamic LED lighting at night could launch night views of the bridge and city to the next level. But how can you navigate layers of government bureaucracy, mobilize support, secure funding, and get it done? Ian Abston talks with Eric Paulsen about how non-profit "Light The Hoan" is working to light up Milwaukee nights and give anyone a chance to leave their mark on this major span. They can be found at LightTheHoan.com.