Tent Show Radio

About This Episode After seven years, three albums, innumerable sold out shows, and countless beers, bluegrass mavericks Horseshoes & Hand Grenades appropriately consider themselves a “family” on a wild, wonderful, and often whacky roller coaster. The bond between the quintet—David C. Lynch [harmonica, accordion, spoons, vocals], Collin Mettelka [fiddle, mandolin, vocals], Russell Pedersen [banjo, fiddle, vocals], Adam Greuel [guitar, dobro, vocals], and Samual Odin [bass]—fuels their...

About This Episode Big Top Chautauqua's Blue Canvas Orchestra draws on the bountiful collection of sea shanties, sailing songs, and rowdy sailors-in-port songs that have come down through time. Hear the tales of those who roamed the seas aboard vessels of wood with canvas sails – and those who never returned – in song, story, and big screen pictures. About Michael Perry Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist and radio show host from New Auburn, Wisconsin. Perry’s...

About This Episode Through relentless touring and terrific word-of-mouth support, Mexican acoustic rock guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela have established themselves as an in-demand live act, particularly in America. they sold out the Hollywood Bowl (two nights) and the Red Rocks Amphitheatre as recently as summer 2018. They have also sold out multiple nights at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Le Zenith in Paris and Radio City Music Hall in New York, not to mention venues in Australia, Japan...

About This Episode Judy Collins has inspired audiences with her sublime vocals and boldly vulnerable songwriting for over 50 years. In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism and steely determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Five decades later, new generations bask in the glow of her iconic 50-album body of work, and heed inspiration from her spiritual discipline. About Michael Perry Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist...

About This Episode Blues icon Keb' Mo' owes his longevity as a singer and writer to a combination of masterful, anecdotal writing skills, distinctive guitar versatility, and resonant, blues-soaked vocals. Every song tells a story, and every story reminds us why Keb' Mo' is one of the most versatile and engaging musical figures on today's roots rock and blues scene. About Michael Perry Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist and radio show host from New Auburn,...

About This Episode This week's episode is a dedication to the legendary John Prine. Prine was an American country folk singer-songwriter. He was active as a composer, recording artist, and live performer from the early 1970s until his death and was known for an often humorous style of original music that has elements of protest and social commentary. About Michael Perry Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist and radio show host from New Auburn, Wisconsin. Perry’s...

About This Episode Maxi Priest is one of those artists whose unique vision has led him to tremendous international success, being the first reggae artist to have a No. 1 hit worldwide, including the U.S. Billboard charts. With over 15 million albums sold, he is the most successful solo act in British reggae history, respected by fellow artists from all over the world. Quito Rymer is a self taught musician and painter. His first guitar was bought for him by his father, which he hid under...

John Prine (born October 10, 1946) is an American country/folk singer-songwriter. He has been active as a composer, recording artist, and live performer since the early 1970s. Born and raised in Maywood, Illinois, Prine learned to play the guitar at the age of 14. Subsequently, serving in West Germany with the U.S. armed forces, by the late 1960s he had moved to Chicago, where he worked as a mailman, writing and singing songs as a hobby. Becoming a part of the city’s folk revival, he was...

About This Episode In 2019 we cut the band loose on some of their favorite songs from the season and from summers past. Severin Behnen leads the famed house band that has graced the Big Top stage since its founding in 1986. They are an eclectic blend of string instruments, driving rhythm section, and stunning voices that together rock the tent with their unique fusion of bluegrass, folk and jazzy blues. About Michael Perry Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist and...

About This Episode John McEuen has been a “professional performer” since 1962, working as a magician in Disneyland’s Magic Shop as a teenager. Music soon came along, which led to his long and varied career first solo, then as a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1966. Over 10,000 concerts and 300 television shows throughout more than 3 million miles - with the band and as a solo performer – John has pursued his passion for performing and recording. John left NGDB at the end of...

About This Episode When it comes to making music with both extraordinary passion and exceptional chops, few acts today can surpass the sheer excellence of The War And Treaty. Newly signed to Rounder Records—and named the 2019 Emerging Act of the Year by Americana Music Association—the husband-and-wife team of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount-Trotter deliver a dynamic sound that joyfully blends Southern soul with elements of gospel, country, rock-and-roll, and blues. Also known for their...

About This Episode The multi-national, Celtic juggernaut Gaelic Storm grows stronger with each live performance, and as you can imagine, after two decades and over 2000 shows, it is a true force to be reckoned with. With their latest release, Go Climb a Tree, their music has never sounded more representative of themselves as musicians and as live performers. About Michael Perry Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist and radio show host from New Auburn,...

About This Episode Since releasing his five-times-platinum debut single "Home" in spring 2012, Phillip Phillips has released two chart-topping albums and taken his expansive brand of earthy, guitar-fueled rock across the globe. With soulful vocals and ruggedly warm sensibilities, the Georgia-bred 26-year-old saw his first full-length effort go platinum after debuting at #4 on the Billboard Top 200. About Michael Perry Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist and...

About This Episode The Marshall Tucker Band came together as a young, hungry, and driven six-piece outfit in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1972, and they've been tearing it up on stages across the globe ever since. The band's music catalog, consisting of more than 20 studio albums and a score of live releases, has racked up multi-platinum album sales many times over. A typically rich MTB setlist is bubbling over with a healthy dose of hits like the heartfelt singalong "Heard It in a Love...

About This Episode With overwhelming support of his home town of Barron, Wisconsin, Kroeze raised money to head to Nashville in 2014 and recorded his first single “Four Letter Words” at the famous Station West Recording Studio. That first single went on to receive heavy radio play throughout the Midwest and open numerous doors for the young musician. A call from the producers of NBC’s Emmy Award Winning television show, The Voice, catapulted Kroeze onto the National Stage. Kroeze’s...

About This Episode Folk singer-songwriter Greg Brown was born into a musical family, and spent several years traveling with a band before returning to Iowa, where he performed live and pursued his songwriting career. He has recorded more than a dozen albums and his songs have been performed by Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, Michael Johnson, Shawn Colvin, and Mary Chapin Carpenter. This is part 2 of Greg Brown's 2019 performance - if you missed Part 1 on last week's episode, look back on...

About This Episode Folk singer-songwriter Greg Brown was born into a musical family, and spent several years traveling with a band before returning to Iowa, where he performed live and pursued his songwriting career. He has recorded more than a dozen albums and his songs have been performed by Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, Michael Johnson, Shawn Colvin, and Mary Chapin Carpenter. This is part 1 of Greg Brown's 2019 performance - tune in to next week's Tent Show Radio to hear part...

About This Episode in 2019 Big Top Chautauqua's house band the Blue Canvas Orchestra presented American Stories, featuring stories as diverse as the tapestry of cultures that make up America, told with music, dialogue and beautiful historic imagery. From the adventures of 17th century French Voyageurs to those of 18th century Wisconsin farmers, from a humorous look at the mindset of the Western expansion and manifest destiny to the sobering story of Little Crow, the Chief of the Mdewakanton...

About This Episode The Jayhawks and their rootsy sound were definitely swimming against the tide when they emerged from a crowded Minnesota music scene in 1985. Over the course of two decades, 9 albums, countless memorable live shows and enough personal drama to fill a couple of Behind the Music episodes, this beloved band soared to heights few ever achieve while winning the hearts and minds of numerous critics, fans and peers in the process. After releasing two Indie albums in the 80s The...

About This Episode Every generation or so, a young bluesman bursts onto the scene and sends a jolt through the blues community. Jontavious Willis may just have that effect on people. Hailing from Greenville, Georgia, Willis grew up singing Gospel music at the Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church with his grandfather. Since an early age, he had the talent and passion for the music and the ability to sharpen his skills fast. At the age of 14, he came across a YouTube video of Muddy Waters playing...