Cara's Basement

The Chicago Music Guide is working to help the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer raise money through a music benefit. I'll be the emcee of this fun night of music. Live Life is at Joe's Bar in Chicago on Sunday, April 27. Come experience live music from Paris Delane's Tye Dye Skye, Jennifer Peterson Band, Ellen Rosner, Tracylynn & 55 South, Gina Gonzalez, White Buffalo Is Born and Twin Ray (Desiree Irwin). Doors open at 5:30, the live music begins at 6:30pm.

Tickets are only $20 plus there is an awesome silent auction. All net proceeds will benefit the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Funding is a critical component to identifying a cure and eliminating the suffering of those who are affected by the disease.

This episode of Cara's Basement is with Paris Delane - a former member of Sonia Dada with a fascinating life story. His love & appreciation for his mother expressed in this interview is especially touching as we approach Mothers Day!

In February, 2008 comedian Lee Camp was asked to appear on Fox News as a "lefty" comedian vs. a "righty" during a live segment. He agreed to do it figuring he'd have to somehow speak his mind - and he sure did! The video of his appearance was viewed on youtube a half a million times within a day of his appearance. You'll hear the clip in the beginning and again at the end of this episode.Watch Lee Camp On YouTubeVisit www.LeeCamp.net

Original Shooting Star member Van McLain and new lead singer Ronnie Platt are in Cara's Basement. Van shares a lot of fun stories from the band's long history. "Last Chance" is one of Cara's favorite songs and he explains the meaning behind it. There's also a bit of similarity between Shooting Star and Spinal Tap...you'll hear why in this episode.The best is saved for last...please don't leave early because at the very end of the podcast you will hear the exclusive world premier of "George's Song" with Ronnie Platt on vocals!

Rik Emmett is one the most talented singers and guitar players I have ever experienced. Knowing that there is Triumph reunion planned and getting the chance to chat with Rik about it was truly a dream come true! You will find out if it's going to be just a "one time" thing or if a world tour might happen during this episode. He opens up about why he's finally getting along with his former bandmates after all these years. He also talks about many other things, including why he has such great hair and why it's so important in rock & roll!He has many solo dates planned for 2008, but only two of those dates are in the states - and both those dates happen to be in Illinois. He's playing February 16 in Crystal Lake, IL and November 8 in Elgin, IL. Go to www.RikEmmett.com to find out more about his tour schedule and the much anticipated Triumph reunion.

It's impossible to pigeonhole this band's musical genre. And you certainly cannot underestimate their wide range of songwriting abilities. Each of their albums are so completely different from one another. Linkin Park is simply a remarkable groups of talented individuals. One of the best bands to experience live, too.I recently had the opportunity to participate in a press conference call (representing the Chicago Music Guide) with two of those members - Chester & Mike. Both guys were very forthright with their answers. Linkin Park has been touring the world promoting their current album "Minutes To Midnight" . Their North American leg of the tour begins Febuary 12, 2008. You'll hear a lot of juicy details about this tour, also their view on collaborating, songwriting, what it was like to work with legendary producer Rick Ruben, and much much more!

I had the incredible experience of talking with Lovehammers' singer Marty Casey, bassist Dino Kourelis and drummer Bobby Kourelis in their practice studio in Chicago recently. Unfortunately, guitarist Billy Sawilchik wasn't there because he had the flu. I brought some beer and we just kind of hung out and chatted. They shared some funny stories about the early days of the band including some pretty wild parties. You can tell how down to earth these guys are and it's also obvious they work really hard at their craft and have no egos. After bringing them onstage on several occasions it finally dawned on me to ask them if I said their band name correctly - turns out I never did. Oops! That was my very first question, too. Thanks to John Gaskill from Pawnstar Productions for helping record this episode.

Happy Holidays!Aimee Mann has an album of Christmas songs called "One More Drifter In The Snow" (you'll hear a snippet or two) and is back for her annual holiday tour. We chat about that, the record industry, even the fact that she sometimes cooks a goose for Christmas. This phone interview was originally done for The Chicago Music Guide - this is the extended version.Marty Casey & Lovehammers have a great rockin' holiday song, "Merry Christmas (All Year Long)" - you'll hear a snippet, then a fun conversation with Marty, Dino & Bobby from Lovehammers. Marty Casey is doing a short solo acoustic tour right now - you'll hear why in our conversation. This is just a "tease" for the full-on Lovehammers episode of Cara's Basement that is coming in the near future!

Jay-Z. Paul Simon. David Lee Roth. Smashing Pumpkins. John Denver. What do all of those artists have in common? Chris Steinmetz was behind the controls when they were in the studio. Pretty much any artist you've heard of has recorded with Chris. He just launched his own label, Stonecutter Records, and their first release is "Acoustic Chicago". He is in Cara's Basement along with Andreas Kapsalis, one of the artists on "Acoustic Chicago" - Andreas performs LIVE about halfway through the episode, so don't bail early!Go to www.StonecutterRecords.com to find out more about "Acoustic Chicago" - featuring Marty Casey & The Lovehammers and a dozen other great artists from the windy city.

I was fortunate to be part of a press conference with Amy Lee prior to the Family Values tour (which Evanescence headlined with Korn) representing The Chicago Music Guide. It took me this long to post it only because I was so backlogged with other interviews. She is an amazing talent. Such a spectacular songwriter and singer - certainly one of a kind!

MelodicRockFest is the celebration of 10 years of one of the most awesome websites (I check it out often), www.MelodicRock.com. Three of the many artists that will be part of that concert are in CARA'S BASEMENT: Jim Peterik (ex-Survivor), Jimi Jameison (ex-Survivor) & Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger). Andrew McNeice, the founder of www.MelodicRock.com and organizer of MelodicRockFest, also checks in.What an incredible line up at The Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, Indiana on Saturday, October 6...SCRAP METAL - featuring Matthew & Gunnar Nelson (Nelson Brothers), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Mark Slaughter (Slaughter), Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger) with special guests Jim Peterik (ex-Survivor), Jimi Jamison (ex-Survivor), Jack Blades (Night Ranger), and probably more guests. Kevin Chalfant will perform plus many other artists - check out the full details at www.melodicrock.com/southbend/index.html