Inside MusiCast

When Take 6 came on to the music scene in 1988 with their self-titled debut album, they started breaking the rules of how music was being created and as a founding member of the band, Mark Kibble was a key perpetrator. The band calls Kibble the architect, due to the fact that he was key in designing and molding the Take 6 sound, and no one else sounds like TAKE 6 - nobody. Together they proceeded to design a fresh, vocally-driven sound consisting of gospel, jazz, doo-wop, R&B, pop, 60s soul and a hip-hop approach that has been working for twenty years. By the way, Kibble, like several of the members of the band, isnt only an amazing first tenor, hes also a YAMAHA-endorsing guitarist and formidable producer. Although Kibble and his younger sibling, Joey, are part of the band, its evident that after twenty years all six band members treat each other like brothers, or this gig may have ended years ago. Take 6 has won countless awards, from Grammys to Doves to Soul Train, but along the way Kibble and the band have kept their feet planted on the ground. Inside MusiCast welcomes Mark Kibble.

As percussionist and member of the Grammy Award-winning jazz quartet Bla Fleck and the Flecktones, Roy Futureman Wooten, loves walking on the high wire of musical experimentation. And, if youre familiar with the music of the Flecktones, you know exactly what were talking about. Futureman, Victor Wooten (Roy's brother), Bla Fleck, and Jeff Coffin have been creating music from the inside out for twenty yearsand the music they create is like nothing else out there. Much more than a musician and composer, Futureman also is an inventor. He plays a modified MIDI-based, SynthAxe dubbed a Drumitar that triggers digital percussion modules along with acoustic drums while performing. The sounds, textures, time signatures, and overall rythms of his musical creations border on genius. His amazing musical knowledge on theory, composition and rhythm leave you speechless. Prepare to learn a little more about musicbecause the future has arrived.that is, Inside MusiCast welcomes Futureman.

Russ Kunkel is a creative. Yes, hes primarily known as a first-call drummer who made his mark helping artists such as James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Carly Simon, Carole King, and Linda Ronstadt create their personal sounds. But over the span of three decades, Russ has found that his real gift is not only playing drums, but also writing, producing and participating in the complete creative process of making music. When asked who the most significant people were in starting him on his musical journey, he is quick to mention a list of mentors and teachers that is longer than this introduction. You see, Russ Kunkel doesnt take anything for granted. It is all about being at the right place at the right time. Thats all it took to connect Apple Records producer Peter Asher to him. After that meeting, Asher hired him to play on James Taylors debut album. The rest is history. Hes ready to release a new personal project this coming summer that is sure to pique the interest of music lovers everywhere. Inside MusiCast welcomes Russ Kunkel.

For a young boy growing up in Memphis,Tennessee, exposure to Gospel, soul, jazz, and R&B music was inevitable. The difference for Kirk Whalum was that his baptismal into this music happened at the church where his father pastored. Surrounded by a family that was comprised of several professional musicians, Kirk didnt have to find music...music found him. But, it was the sparkle and shine that first attracted him to his first saxophone. It was jazz great Bob James that first discovered Kirk playing at a gig in Houston, Texas where shortly thereafter, hired him to play one of his solo albums entitled '12.' Today, Whalum humbly tells how divine intervention had a definite hand in his past success and stands on a faith that is clearly contageous. He celebrated his 25 years in the business with the release of his 2007 album 'Roundtrip', and engaged producer Phillippe Saisse, who worked on his first solo album, along with an amazingly great lineup of musicians that included Earl Klugh and many guest musicians who are.ready for this? Family members! Inside MusiCast is happy to welcome a sax virtuoso, Kirk Whalum.

Bill Champlin is a man who has experienced musical success on his own terms. Over the years youve known him as a solo artist, session musician, vocalist, and longtime member of the band Chicago. From the very start of his career, youll find interesting detours that have taken him to places where other musicians only wish they could experience. From the early psychedelic era of The Sons of Champlin in San Francisco, to laying down smooth vocal tracks with David Foster, to his contributions in Chicago, Bill found his way to his own music by listening, learning, and absorbing from the very best. The fact is, if you step back to see the breadth of his talent, at the core youll find a man who has been gifted with one of the most soulful voices that has helped define what R&B is today. That's why we're eagerly awaiting his new album which will be released later this year. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Bill Champlin.

Jon Herington is a guitarist at peace. But, at an arms length, anyone will tell you that he has one of the music industrys most coveted gigs a gig that has long been a magnet to critical criticism or critical acclaim for one of musics most creative groups, Steely Dan. At a conversational distance, youll discover that not only has Jon executed the most complex guitar parts for Donald Fagan and Walter Becker over the past eight years, but has found creative balance as a musician, producer and writer that subscribes to the same standard of musicianship as the Dan. Listen closely to his personal work and youll be mildly surprised to find that Jon Herington approaches his music like that of a qualified artist, both lyrically and musically. So sit back, and listen to our guest expound on his musical roots as well as his musical theories and perspectives. Inside MusiCast welcomes Jon Herington.

This edition of Inside MusiCast takes us into the mind and music of a true native of Southern California, where at a very young age he was playing piano, and by high school he was learning harmony from one of Stan Kentons principal arrangers. Fast forward through a career that has spanned three decades and youll find a master arranger, producer, and session player who has left an impressive mark on many musical genres. Youll find his musical genius injected into hits for Faith Hill and Randy Travis; Christina Aguilera and Tina Turner; Donna Summer and Barbara Streisand; Manhattan Transfer and Larry Carlton; and Helen Baylor and Andre Crouch. In the jazz scene, his highly acclaimed 'Baked Potato Super Live', recorded with Toto members Steve Lukather and Jeff Porcaro, along with 'Pops' Popwell from the Jazz Crusaders, shook up the music scene as one of the freshest live jazz recordings in history. It still remains as a 'must have' among musical aficionados to this day. His jazz collaborations continue to this day. Whether performing live, in studio or even on television, our guest also continues to be in high demand internationally. Inside MusiCast welcomes the master of the West Coast Groove, Greg Mathieson.

Spend a little time with bassist Chris Kent and youll find that hes so much more than a musician. Hes also a man who loves life. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee to become one of the busiest first-call bassists for Gospel, Country, R&B, Jazz and Rock artists. He has taken the stage at the Grand Ole Opry along side artists such as Lorrie Morgan, has toured with guitarists Steve Lukather and Larry Carlton, saxophonist Kirk Whalum, Take 6 and many more. From the Tonight Show to Jazz Central on BET to Live From the House of Blues, Chris Kent can be found wherever theres a groove to lay down. Join us as he takes us from his first Montgomery Wards bass as a kid, to surviving cancer, and ultimately finding his way to a successful career and purpose in life. He'll even play some of his bass grooves and discuss how he builds a bass line. Inside MusiCast welcomes Chris Kent.

In the music world, most musicians focus on one instrument - some two, some rarely play three, and others are unique, like Shem VonSchroeck, who on his last solo album 'Son of Arthur', played bass, guitar, piano, drums, percussion, bodhran, and also sang lead and background vocals. Although capable of performing as a multi-instrumentalist, his career has focused on being a first call bassist and vocalist. This has allowed him to make his mark as a front man, singing and playing bass for the band Ambrosia, as sideman for Kenny Loggins and many other artists. Hes a singers singer, blessed with a vocal range and precision that any singer would covet. After all, this tenor has perfect pitch. His career has taken him full circle, from studying formally at the Manhattan School of Music, to classical, to an amazing career in rock and pop, and now, theres a new twist with Shems career and it involves rekindling his passion for opera. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome the multi-faceted Shem VonSchroeck.

IMC hosts, Rick and Eddy, have caught up with several Inside MusiCast guests to talk about fresh music coming in the form of new albums. Join us as they speak with Steve Lukather to recap the recent world tour with TOTO, his upcoming solo album release and tour, and also a couple of other surprises. Crosby Loggins has just finished his new album, WE ALL GO HOME, with his band The Light. Hell fill you in on release dates, tour dates, internet marketing of the new project, and singles to be released. Jennie DeVoe is heading to England to work with producer John Parrish on her upcoming record. The second of DeVoe/Parrish projects is sure to build on the sound and feel of her latest album, FIREWORKS & KARATE SUPPLIES, but might have more of an edge. Rick and Eddy catch up with Jennie to talk about her writing and preparation for her new project.