Inside MusiCast

Larry Williams has been at the top of his game for over 30 years. After honing his skills as a student at the Indiana University School Of Music, Larry transplanted himself to the tropics in Hawaii and became one of the founding members of Seawind. As a Grammy-nominated producer, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, Larry is a non-stop music machine that doesn’t seem to be slowing. Although he doesn’t subscribe to segmenting music by genres, listening to his music will show you how versatile he really is. He’s a top keyboard, sax, flute and clarinet player who does multi-duty when called upon. From his work with Dave Grusin, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock, Patrice Rushen, Marcus Miller, Vinnie Colaiuta , Patti Austin and Paul McCartney, Williams has nothing left to prove. Inside MusiCast welcomes Larry Williams.

If you were to look-up the definition of the word “rhythm” in the dictionary, it would say “jazz-fusion, pop, and session percussionist, Alex Neciosup Acuña”. From a young man playing in local bands in Lima, Peru to playing with bandmates Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter and Jaco Pastorius of the great jazz-fusion band Weather Report, Alex Acuña has lived a life of rhythmic passion that continues today. As an A-list session percussionist and drummer, he has contributed to international projects for decades, and has clearly influenced percussion around the world. He is a perennial teacher, traveling the world to train and educate rhythm makers. At the same time, he continues to be a student….always learning and absorbing new sounds, techniques, and approaches to become better. From Koinonia to Jarreau; Herbie Hancock to Ella; Jobim to U2.  Alex Acuña continues to be a relevant musical icon. Inside MusiCast welcomes Alex Acuña.

Jerry Lopez has been keeping a secret for a long time…at least from those who don’t live in Las Vegas. You see, since the mid seventies, Jerry has been the leader of Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns…one of the most proficient horn-based bands around. How good are they? Let’s just say they rank with horn sections such as CHICAGO, Earth Wind & Fire, Tower of Power and Seawind Horns. As lead vocalist and guitarist of the band, Lopez’ Fat City Horns play to a packed house every Monday, where half of the audience is typically comprised of musicians who play the many live shows in Las Vegas. In fact, all of the Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns band members are full-time Vegas show musicians themselves. With the release of their new album, WHEN THE CURTAIN GOES UP, Lopez and his Fat City Horns are ready to let one of the best-kept secrets out…and we’re here to help. Inside MusiCast welcomes Jerry Lopez.

If you’ve listened to Don Henley’s End of the Innocence, Carole King’s Tapestry, Jackson Browne’s Running on Empty, Billy Joe’s River of Dreams, and most of James Taylors recordings, then you’re familiar with the musical influence of guitarist, composer, and producer Danny Kortchmer…or Kootch…as most in the business know him. From his collaborations with Peter Asher, of Peter and Gordon, to touring and playing sessions with Lee Sklar, Russ Kunkel, and Craig Doerge, of the infamous “Section”, Danny has had a career that most would envy. As an accomplished singer-songwriter, he’s worked with people like David Foster, Jay Graydon, Ringo Starr, Bruce Hornsby, Steve Jordan, Pino Palladino, and Tamio Okuda, while producing for others or for his own solo projects. He’s also ready to embark on the 2010 Carole King / James Taylor World Tour called the TROUBADOUR TOUR…connecting once again to tour with his longtime friends of the Section. Inside MusiCast welcomes Danny Kortchmar.

“Versatile” is the best descriptor for drummer Gregg Bissonette. A Detroit native, who now resides in L.A., Bissonette’s musical collaborations are nothing less than premier… from Maynard Ferguson to David Lee Roth; Gino Vanelli to Ringo Starr; Brandon Fields to Jeff Lynne. Growing up, he and his brother, Matt, played in his father’s band in Detroit…how’s that for push start to a musical career? This eventually pointed him to college where he refined his talent while studying at the prestigious North Texas State Music School. Soon after, he was chosen by Maynard to play in his infamous Big Band. That in itself is an amazing accomplishment for a young musician. After moving from Dallas to LA, he naturally landed on the “A” list by delivering both quality and consistency in his performing. He’s equally comfortable on the stage as in the studio, and thrives in either environment. You’ll hear his drumming on NBC’s FRIENDS, as well as several motion pictures and other TV shows. Inside MusiCast welcomes a truly great musician, composer and human being, Gregg Bissonette.

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 Magazine’s ‘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 family’s every day life. Having been a member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones since the late ‘80’s, 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, you’d 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 Eric’s 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 Ritenour’s 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 wasn’t 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.

It’s 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 a star lineup of musicians who’ve helped create the solid foundation for success. Some of the contributors include David Hungate, Larry Carlton, Steve Wariner, Danny Parks, Robbie Dupree, and other star musicians. 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. It’s jazzy, smooth, and grooves nice and deep. Inside MusiCast welcomes a true classic musician Bill LaBounty.

Bill Champlin is back. And he’s 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. He’s 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.

If your last name is Porcaro, you live in Southern California, and you’re in the music industry, you’re name is golden. And if your name is Steve Porcaro, that gold has translated into 15 Grammy’s that you’ve held in your hands over the years. As an original member of the band Toto, keyboardist, composer and songwriter Steve Porcaro has had his share of success. He has written many significant songs over his career, such as Michael Jackson’s Human Nature, that was recently performed by guitarist John Mayer at Jackson’s Memorial in the Staples Center. He’s written and performed for artists such as Madonna, The Carpenters, Gary Wright, Diana Ross, Peabo Bryson, Yes, Jefferson Airplane, and others. His discography has included countless musical scores for video, film and television, and he remains consistently busy in these arenas. With credits on seven Toto albums and ten film scores, Steve doesn’t rest on his legacy nor his family’s. Instead he moves ahead – focused on his desire to confront new musical territory. From his work with James Newton Howard on the Friends album, to the soundtrack to Dune, to Toto, his resilience, along with his family name, makes him golden. Inside MusiCast welcomes Steve Porcaro.