Inside MusiCast

Every so often, you discover a musician whose instrumental performance literally boggles your mind and leaves you overjoyed, amazed and virtually speechless. Bassist Victor Wooten is, without a doubt, one of the finest bassists on the planet, having been honored as Bass Player Magazines Bass player of the year not once, but a staggering three times. Victor has been learning, playing and performing since he was three years old and was raised in a home where music was a part of his familys every day life. Having been a member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones since the late 80s, Victor has toured the world, performing for millions of fans and gaining vast notoriety as a bass virtuoso. He has also released several solo projects and has lent his talent to a variety of projects for other musicians. Having been described as a bassist who has reinvented how the bass guitar is played, Victor will tell you that this was never his intention; rather his goal is to just be truthful as a musician. Inside MusiCast welcomes Victor Wooten.

If you were 20 years-old, traveling in the Netherlands and your money, identity and your airplane ticket to get you back home was stolen, what would you do? If you were Eric Tagg, youd borrow some money, use it to put an ad in the local paper and begin your career as a vocalist. It was this episode in Erics life that thrust him into becoming one of the quintessential voices in the West Coast genre. Traveling back to the States to record his first album Smilin Memories in 1975 is when Eric first met guitarist Lee Ritenour, which blossomed into a long-lasting musical relationship. Eric was Ritenours feature vocalist and writing partner on two of his biggest albums, Rit and Rit 2, including the song Is It You, which hit the top 15 on the pop chart and number 1 on the R&B chart in the USA. During this period, Eric released two additional solo albums, Rendezvous in 1977 and Dreamwalkin in 1982. It wasnt until 1997 that he released his fourth solo record Through My Eyes. He now spends his time in Greenville, Texas working and writing music for his ministry. Inside MusiCast welcomes Eric Tagg.

Its a rarity these days to listen to a new album where most every track is so good that you end up playing it over and over again. But when it does happen, you definitely realize that a little magic was added during the writing and recording process. Veteran keyboardist, synthesist, and songwriter, Bill LaBounty, has delivered such a project with the release of 'Back To Your Star'. For his seventh solo release, Bill brings together an all-star lineup of musicians who have helped create the solid foundation for success. Some of the contributors include David Hungate, Larry Carlton, Steve Wariner, Danny Parks, and Robbie Dupree. Produced by Danny Parks and Bill LaBounty, 'Back To Your Star' is a sequence of stories that will let you to not only dig a musical groove, but also appreciate a lyrical flow that is almost poetry. Its jazzy, smooth, and grooves nice and deep. Inside MusiCast welcomes a true classic musician, Bill LaBounty.

Bill Champlin is back. And hes creating music that proves it. After his recent disconnection from his Chicago gig, he talked to Eddy and Rick about his new album, No Place Left To Fall. It is a testament that Bill has landed on his own two feet and has created arguably his best solo work to date, but on his own terms. Hes teamed up with an amazing group of musicians: George Hawkins, Jr. on bass; Bruce Gaitsch on guitars; and Billy Ward on drums and percussion. To put the finishing touches on the album, he called on his talented family to contribute at every level of the project: His wife Tamara on lyrics and vocals, and his son Will on vocals, playing keyboards and writing. No Place Left To Fall delivers thirteen solid songs that are all well-built and designed to create a cohesive project. It was recorded the old fashion way - four great musicians collaborating in one room creating magic. In other words, Bill has written an album, not just songs. Inside MusiCast welcomes a reenergized classic, Bill Champlin.

Songwriters are very special people. Theyre the ones who battle with themselves and suffer through an amazingly creative process that most take for granted. When you listen to the songs that Stephen Bishop has written over his career, you find an honesty and transparency that has allowed him to deliver hits such as On And On and Save It For A Rainy Day. His career actually began as a songwriter long before he wrote songs for himself. In fact, one of his first collaborations was with Art Garfunkel, who discovered his songwriting and vocal talent and invited him to sing and also contribute two tracks to his legendary Breakaway project. He has penned songs for Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Steve Perry, Kenny Loggins, The Four Tops and also Pavarotti. Widening the body of his work, he sang the hit theme It Might Be You from the movie Tootsie and also has written and sung on 13 other films, including Animal House and White Knights, from which he was nominated for two Grammys and an Oscar for his song, Separate Lives. Inside MusiCast welcomes a gifted songwriter, Stephen Bishop.

To call Brandon Fields a talented sax player is a huge understatement. Ask anyone who he has collaborated with throughout his amazing career, such as Quincy Jones, Babyface, Los Lobotomys, Elton John, Earth Wind & Fire and Al Jarreau, just to name a few. He has created a reputation that is second to none on the LA session and jazz scene. Brandon's amazing sound has carried him beyond sessions to touring with Tower of Power, The Rippingtons, The Dave Weckl Band, and even the chance to play in Barry Manilow's infamous Las Vegas band. Fresh off his latest solo jazz release, One People, he is finding that demand for the best keeps him very busy. Inside MusiCast welcomes Brandon Fields.

Once upon a time, a young seventeen year-old guitarist from Philadelphia auditioned for a musical legend - Stevie Wonder. As the story goes, Stevie hired him on the spot and the young man toured with him as his main guitarist and featured vocalist for the next seven years, working and writing with him on numerous projects including Wonder's most ambitious album, "Songs In The Key Of Life". Since then, Michael Sembello's musical opportunities have been more than golden...they've been platinum. Who can forget his chart-busting single 'Maniac', written and performed for the movie Flashdance that went platinum multiple times. He's worked with huge names - David Sanborn, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Barbara Streisand, the Temptations, Sergio Mendez, George Duke, The Jackson 5, and Michael Jackson. His upcoming Japan-only release, 'Bossa Nova Hotel', will fuse Brazilian, Bossa and Samba with R&B sounds. Inside MusiCast welcomes a truly global musician, Michael Sembello.

Crosby Loggins is no stranger to Inside MusiCast. Since our 07 interview, his world has changed for the better. After winning MTVs 'Rock The Cradle' competition and a national record deal with Jive Records, Crosby wasted no time in working on his new album, 'Time To Move', scheduled to release on July 14th. And although the 28-year-old Loggins reveals plenty of modern tastes, ranging from the grunge-era rock of his formative years to present-day indie faves, 'Time To Move' was designed with a nod to an earlier era, using vintage and organic tones. Join Eddy and Rick as they catch up with Crosby Loggins.

Robin Trower is one of the great British rock guitarists. For over forty years, Robin has assembled a critically acclaimed, commercially successful and massively influential body of work that is still expanding today. To list his many achievements would take more space than we have at our disposal, but suffice to say that, in the space of a four-decade long career, he has sold millions of records, has worked with artists as varied as Procol Harum, Jack Bruce and Bryan Ferry, and yet has remained a modest, unassuming and thoroughly "real-deal" artist. Inside MusiCast welcomes Robin Trower.

Eric Valentine is a busy drummer. Since moving to Los Angeles four years ago, he has been going non-stop. It all started with his first tour baptism with legendary singer Patti LaBelle. Today he has racked up a solid resume of collaborations with artists such as Jeff Lorber, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Erikah Badu, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler and of course, Steve Lukather. To say that he's just a drummer is selling him short. He's a multi-dimensional musician. Take his 2003 solo jazz project, Eric Valentine's Jazz Impressions. He plays bass guitar, keyboards, drums and also produces. For those who have seen him play live, they'll tell you that Valentine is a drummer who adds his vibe to everything he hears. Take it from us, we've seen him play and he can steal a show. Inside MusiCast welcomes an artist that has only begun a huge career, Eric Valentine.