EricCast

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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