Inside MusiCast

Let’s start with the facts. Our guest today was a member of one of the most influential rock groups of our time. Their “GREATEST HITS” compilation sold over 29 million copies in the US alone. But, when Don Felder joined the EAGLES in 1974, he added that special “something” with his vocals and guitar playing that would help create the unmistakable EAGLES’ sound. He co-wrote the mesmerizing “Hotel California” and several other classic hits that continue to be played daily throughout the world. He’s a guitarist who knows his craft and has also played with other legendary artists such as The Bee Gees, Bob Seger, Michael Jackson, Boz, Stevie Nicks, Elton John and…well, you know what we mean. Life after the Eagles has not stopped Felder from continuing to create and deliver the music that is within him. His new solo album, ROAD TO FOREVER, is a musical product that began with his best-selling book about his life with the EAGLES ten years ago. His journey has culminated with a wonderful collection of richly composed and arranged tracks that only solidify his position in music today. He hasn’t lost his touch, as ROAD TO FOREVER has proven. IMC welcomes, Don Felder.

Growing-up in New York City in a musical environment that included a father that was a professional bassist, along with a mother and sister who made careers as vocalists, Michael Leonhart seemed destined to find his own path into the world music.  Having studied a variety of instruments as a young child, Michael turned his attention to the trumpet when he was ten years old – and never looked back.  At only 38 years old, Michael has already established himself a first call studio and touring musician, producer and solo artist.  Having performed with countless artists, including Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, Yoko Ono, David Byrne, James Brown, Ringo Starr, Eric Claption, Levon Helm, Phish, Steve Winwood, and so many others, not to mention what has turned out to be a sixteen year career with Steely Dan and Donald Fagen, it’s a wonder how he’s managed to produce seven stellar solo projects.  And top it off, he recently co-produced Donald Fagen’s “Sunken Condos.”  Inside MusiCast is please to welcome Michael Leonhart.

If you’ve seen Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald and even Steely Dan in concert at some point over the past twenty years, chances are you’ve witnessed guitarist Drew Zingg. Born and raised in New York City, Zingg earned his reputation as a guitarist that knows no boundaries when it comes to musical styles. Having spent nearly ten years in the New York club scene, backing artists such as Shawn Colvin and Lucy Kaplansky, as well as lending his talents to jingles, Broadway productions and session work, Drew found himself along side Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, touring with the New York Rock and Soul Revue. This opened the door for Drew, who eventually spent two years as Steely Dan’s guitarist and music director and has toured with Boz Scaggs since 1996. On November 1, Drew is set to release his debut, self-titled solo album that contains original material, as well as a few covers with unique arrangements and were recorded and produced by Drew’s long-time friend, George Petit. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome, Drew Zingg.

When you’re a trumpet player for a drum and bugle corp, it can only mean one thing…that you’re one serious horn player. That’s where Jimmy Haslip’s musical journey begins. But it doesn’t end there. You see, his musical world was turned upside down at a live performance at a school dance where he witnessed the playing of an electric bass guitar for the very first time.  Fast forward to LA where a young Jimmy Haslip is studying with his new teacher, Jaco Pastorius. As you might guess, success feeds success, as Jimmy’s talents are honed and perfected. His career is elevated when he crosses paths with Russ Ferrante and Ricky Lawson to record on Robben Ford’s first solo project in 1978. It is this collaboration that would lead to the creation of the legendary Yellowjackets. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Haslip’s discography and production credits are deep with amazing collaborations. Inside MusiCast welcomes a transplanted New Yorker and Long island native, Jimmy Haslip.

For over 44 years, Tower of Power has been creating and performing music that continues to excite fans all over the world. With a first-call, legendary horn section that has graced some of the biggest hits for some of the most well known artists in the music business, Tower of Power’s soulful, funky, bumpin’ sound has carved a musical niche with a style all their own. Since the band originated on August 13, 1968, Tower of Power has never stopped touring and recording. In fact, they recently released a 40th anniversary CD and DVD that includes several special guests, as well as past band members from the band’s storied career. Today, Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome three of the band’s founding members: Emilio Castillo, Doc Kupka and David Garibaldi for this special edition of Inside MusiCast.

Fergie Frederiksen’s tenure in the band Toto was unquestionably a highlight on his singing resume, but this singer/songwriter has had an extensive career as a solo artist, as well as the lead vocalist for MS Funk, Trillion and LeRoux. Fergie is also a member of Legends: Voices Of Rock, which is a collaboration of incredible rock vocalists that tours throughout Europe and includes Bobby Kimball, Bill Champlin, Steve Augeri and Joe Lynn Turner. In 2010, Fergie was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer, but through his faith, support from great friends and with the strength to continue making music, Fergie has battled his way through his fight with cancer and is winning. In fact, he released his second solo album in late 2011 titled “Happiness Is The Road” and is in the early stages of working on yet another. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Fergie Frederiksen.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we proudly welcome back guitarist Jon Herington to talk about his upcoming solo release “Time On My Hands”, containing ten new tracks that showcase Jon’s incredible feel for the guitar, as he stretches his way through more expansive guitar solos than ever before. Inside MusiCast welcomes Jon Herington.

At the age of five you might say that Richard Marx began a career that so far has lasted a lifetime. At this very young age he was already singing lyrics for the jingles his father would compose and produce for top advertising clients in Chicago. That was the beginning of a Grammy Award-winning career that has allowed Marx to write and produce for some of the greatest artists in the music business, beginning with the one star that noticed him and brought him into his world of hit creation - Lionel Richie. As a mentor, Richie helped pave a road of success for Marx, bringing him in as a background singer for several of his hit albums. Marx has enjoyed a career that many would envy, but it all began with his musical hero, his father, who taught him as a young boy how a hard-work ethic will always pay off. Richard is proof of that, as he continues to embody the musical spirit of his father. Inside MusiCast welcomes Richard Marx.

John Waite’s music and artistry is alive and well. Although his legacy as lead vocalist for The Babys and Bad English precedes him, he’s best known for his solo work, most notably the smash hits “Change” and “Missing You”. This path has led him to recreating “Missing You” with Alison Krauss, and in 2003 he toured as a member of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band. Today his voice has defied the test of time and is even better and stronger, as proven by his recent solo release “Rough and Tumble.” Recorded in Nashville and L.A., Waite considers this effort a new beginning on his solo music journey, delivering a more organic, rock-oriented sound than many of his past solo projects. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome John Waite.

Music had already been in his blood for more than a decade, having studied piano and music theory at the Manhattan School of Music in New York since he was eight years old. But when Howard Levy first picked-up a diatonic harmonica as an 18 year-old college student at Northwestern, little did he know that he would soon reinvent the instrument, essentially pioneering the over-blow/over-draw methods for bending and creating notes that were previously thought ‘missing’ from the instrument. He has since mastered the harmonica and has created a career in music that has led him to many unique opportunities, including his tenure as an original Flecktone. But Howard is not defined solely by this role. In fact, he only spent a few years with the Flecktones until he decided to part ways to pursue an open door of opportunities that continue to reinvent the role of the harmonica and challenge his own musical interests. Inside MusiCast welcomes Howard Levy.