For nearly 20 years, Inside MusiCast has been bringing you interviews with the best musicians, engineers and producers in the music industry.  But while Eddy and I host the shows, we also have a team of nine passionate colleagues who have been assisting us along the way.  To kick off the new year, we’ve assembled nearly all of our correspondents for a 2025 wrap-up chat to discuss the year in music, and to give them a chance to chat about their time with Inside MusiCast and what’s to come in 2026. And we thank them all for everything they do for the show.  Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome the Inside MusiCast Correspondents to kick off 2026!

Paris-born Wally Badarou traces his ancestry to Benin, West Africa—but he is thoroughly and unmistakably French. When it comes to music, however, his inspiration reflects a rich blend of international influences.  A pioneering keyboardist, producer, and session musician, Wally has long embraced technology as an integral part of his creative process—one of the key motivations that led him to collaborate with the band Level 42. If you’ve heard their music, you’ve heard Wally’s touch: his musical structures, melodies, and productions are woven into many of their biggest hits. Although he was never an official member of the band, he co-wrote many of their more prominent songs, shaping the band’s signature sound.  Beyond that, his remarkable career includes collaborations with legends such as Herbie Hancock, M, Talking Heads, Grace Jones, Robert Palmer, and many others. It’s the story of a truly global musician—one who views music through an international lens.  Inside MusiCast proudly welcomes Wally Badarou.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we head back to Norway to check-in with Ole Børud and chat about his brand new studio album titled, “Sleepwalking Again.”  These ten new tracks are already being described by his fans as some of his best work, and we can’t disagree.  “Sleepwalking Again” contains elements of West Coast soul, pop, funk, a hint of gospel, gorgeous vocal harmonies, and impeccable musicianship - the key ingredients that have crafted Ole’s sound throughout his career.  It’s been 11 years since we last connected with Ole, so we’re glad to have him back to catch up and chat about this fantastic new project.  Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Ole Børud. 

In 2016, Steve Porcaro released his debut solo album “Someday / Somehow” - a project that had been in development many years, but was always put on hold for other commitments, such as writing, recording and touring with Toto, and his scoring gig for the TV series “Justified” and other projects.  With those behind him, it’s given Steve the time and flexibility to concentrate on doing what he loves most - creating his own new music. And today, he’s released a brand new album titled “The Very Day”, which features an incredible cast of musicians and collaborators - most of which are friends and colleagues Steve has worked with throughout his career.  Here to discuss this new project is none other than Steve Porcaro.

While Vernon Reid is best known as the founder of the band Living Colour, he’s had a diverse and expansive presence in the music industry.  He’s without question one of the most creative and talented guitarists on the planet.  In fact, he’s made Rolling Stone’s list of the 50 greatest guitarists of all time.  From heavy metal, to punk, to avant garde jazz to funk, and everything in between, Vernon Reid’s musical palate touches a vast array of genres.  On this episode of Inside MusiCast, Vernon joins us to chat about his brand new album that’s being released today titled “Hoodoo Telemetry”. The 14 track album is a perfect example of his wide variety of styles, with lyrics that challenge the tumultuous socio-political landscape.  Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Vernon Reid.

Continuing the legacy of his father, the late Clare Fischer, Grammy award-winning Brent Fischer has been one of the most sought after composers, arrangers, and producers in the music industry.  Just like his father, Brent’s adaptability to a variety of music genres has been a key element to his success, having composed projects for pop, jazz, Latin, symphonic, and many others. His credits appear on over 30 million albums for artists including Usher, Michael Jackson, Elvis Costello & The Roots, Toni Braxton, Al Jarreau, Raphael Saadiq, George Duke, Natalie Cole, Vanessa Williams, as well as an artist that played a large role early in Brent’s career: Prince.  We have a lot of ground to cover on this episode of Inside MusiCast with our guest today, Brent Fischer. 

Monkey House is on a roll, and at the top of their game with the release of their new studio album for Alma Records titled “Crashbox”.  Following the success of their 2022 release, “Remember The Audio”, band leader Don Breithaupt and his steady cast of musicians have once again crafted a new collection of songs that comprise what is arguably their finest album, with stellar songwriting, impeccable production, and it includes some very special guests.  But don’t take our word for it. Take it from Don Breithaupt himself, the creative mind behind Monkey House and their brand new album, “Crashbox”, which is due out June 6.  Inside MusiCast is pleased to once again welcome Don Breithaupt.

For nearly 55 years, The Doobie Brothers have been creating music and touring the world with no signs of slowing down.  And for the first time in the band’s history, the four current, principal members have recorded in-studio together for their upcoming album release titled, “Walk This Road”, which is set to be released on June 6.  The album launch will also include an extensive tour of Europe and the States that begins in July.  “Walk This Road” contains ten tracks and is a true band effort, and it includes the return of Michael McDonald alongside founding members Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons, as well as John McFee, and was produced by John Shanks.  The new album contains a variety of musical styles, with great vocal harmonies and the incredible musicianship we’ve all come to expect from this Hall of Fame caliber band.  Here to talk to us today about “Walk This Road”, and his reentry into the band, is our good friend and past guest, Michael McDonald. 

When we first learned about Young Gun Silver Fox ten years ago, we knew the duo of Andy Platts and Shawn Lee had created something very special. Since their 2015 debut album, West End Coast, they’ve released three additional albums that continue to pour the foundation of their truly signature sound.  It’s West Coast AOR, but it’s a unique, genre-blending sound that’s unquestionably their own. Today we’ll talk with Shawn and Andy about their fifth album release, Pleasure, which releases today. This is no doubt another solid effort from the guys, and quite possibly their best album yet.  Soon, they’ll embark on a two-show teaser US tour in New York City and also at the Troubadour in LA. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome back Andy Platts and Shawn Lee of Young Gun Silver Fox. 

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we welcome a new collaboration of great musicians who just happen to be father and son. Nathan East, who’s known for his work with Eric Clapton, Toto, Bob James, Daft Punk, along with a litany of some of the biggest names in the music industry, has teamed up with his son, Noah, who has become a world-class musician in his own right. Together, they have just released their first album project called “Father/Son”, which was released on April 18 and includes an incredible lineup of guest musicians.  Here to talk to us about this fantastic new album is none other than Nathan and Noah East.