So I go up to The Gallery Cabaret to help celebrate CAU alumni Val Leventhaland#39;s Birthday and there is Nancy up on stage with her, singing a playing her heart out. Nancy is one of the nicest people you will ever meet and she has great songwriting skills. You must see this woman live and if you go up to The Gallery cabaret on a Thursday night for Garrett Laneand#39;s open mic, the odds are good that you will hear her.

How can I possibly explain Garrett. He is a gentle wonderful man who on the outside is hardened by what he has done. He is a brilliant live sound engineer. He should be recorded as part of an oral history of the Seventies and rock and roll. But, as you will hear in this show, there is another, emotional side to this man that is expressed by his live performance. Enjoy this man, he is a jewel. for more info: myspace.com/olgarspace

Rachanee comes to us from Lansing, Michigan and is our first crossover Christian/Pop singer. Rachanee and I talked about CAU being a secular Podcast as I wanted to make sure she was comfortable coming on the show. Not only was she comfortable, her angelic voice gave me goose bumps. It never ceases to amaze me how a tiny woman like Rachanee can have such a powerful voice. For more info go to www.rachanee.net Enjoy the show!!!!

Now, I know that I have a tendency to throw around platitudes, but I canand#39;t help it when the talent is so amazing. Hailing from Cambridge, MA, Teresa Storch is beyond amazing. She is the first person that caused me to stop the show and take a break, because at the end of one of her songs I was crying like a baby She has an engineering degree from Colorado School of Mines, which is no small feat. She danced ballet while getting that degree, and thank God she chose to become a Singer/Songwriter

Get ready to listen to the voice of an angel. Emilyand#39;s voice and lyrics are beautiful and her Father accompanies her on his magnificent Martin guitar. It was a Family affair recording Emily with her Dad playing guitar and her Mom cheering us all on. I am positive that they will give you goose bumps. Enjoy these two. For more info: www.myspace.com/emilypalmersings

Benjamin comes to us from St. Charles, Illinois and if you have never been there it is a wonderful day trip from the city to a historically beautiful river town. Lotand#39;s of interesting architecture and some really fun Pubs where you are likely to find Benjamin. Kick back and enjoy his vocal portraits. For more info: www.myspace.com/benjaminkenon

And now for something completely different. When I went to Matthewand#39;s myspace page I found this interesting South Wales born musician with songs reminiscent of the music I heard in more than a few pubs when I was touring Wales When Matthew arrived at the studio with his Army of musicians, cinematographers, and posse I knew I was in for something else Keyboards, bass synth, drums and loud, loud guitars, we completely changed out the studio mics for live performance mics and finally got a balance.

Patrick and his lovely wife Denise joined us on the last Sunday in April and we had a blast Patrick comes to us from Washington DC where he wrote and played with several bands and we are fortunate to have him here in Chicago. I am sure that you will enjoy his playing and his voice. Such a soft voice coming from such a big man! For info: www.myspace.com/patrickgarrity

Yet another beautiful woman from Rockford that expresses her soul through her Piano. Christine Knodle began as a child prodigy on the violin. She experimented with the French Horn, Trumpet, and Guitar before making the Piano her instrument of choice. Christine shows a bit of the Trumpet in her playing by adding triplets to her lyrical style. She is a joy to behold and I fell in love with her music immediately. For more info: www.christineknodle.com

I had a blast recording this show and cracking up in between songs. Matt is incredibly talented.