Inside MusiCast

Songwriters are very special people. They’re 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 the meIt 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 Grammy’s 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…Quincy, Babyface, Los Lobotomys, Elton John, Earth Wind & Fire, 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, Dave Weckl Band, and even the chance to play in the 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 MTV’s 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 Feist and Wilco, 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.

As a five-time Grammy and Oscar Award winner, Christopher Cross has definitely left his mark on popular music. Since his self-titled debut Warner Brothers release in 1979, his name elicits memories of when one may have heard Sailing or Ride Like The Wind. For those who have looked beyond Cross’s early pop successes, they have found a body of work that launched eight albums of intelligent, melodic, sophisticated and mature music. Although Christopher’s entry into the public eye was meteoric, don’t call him your typical overnight success. His albums Another Page and Walking in Avalon are arguably classics that remain relevant recordings to date. His recent Café Carlyle Sessions reintroduce some of his well known classics in a format and style that is truly all Christopher Cross. Inside MusiCast welcomes the perennial Christopher Cross.

One thing we know about West Coast Music is that its following is much, much bigger than the name implies. It’s more like Global-Coast Music, due to the fact that diehard fans are found at every corner of the globe. At the heart of it all you find a man who continues to stoke the fires of a sound that is a sophisticated mixture of R&B, Rock, Pop and Jazz – Grammy-winning Jay Graydon. His name is found in the credits of tracks and albums that have gone gold, platinum and even multi-platinum. With long-time collaborations with friends like David Foster, George Benson, Al Jarreau, and Steely Dan, Graydon has positioned himself as one of the most creative songwriters, producers, and session guitarists on the LA scene, while continuing to pave his own road with Nashville resident and writing partner, Randy Goodrum. They’re the brains behind JaR, a collaboration of two of the best musical heads in the industry who have released ‘Scene 29’, an album that any West Coast Music fan most certainly has in their audio collection. From Airplay For The Planet to Earth, Wind & Fire’s After The Love Has Gone, Graydon has delivered just what West Coast fans have asked for over the years. Inside MusiCast welcomes Jay Graydon.

Since his arrival in the States from Cuba just a few years ago, 30-year-old acoustic bass prodigy Carlitos del Puerto has quickly become one of the most recognized and highly sought-after session players in Los Angeles. Having performed or recorded with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Ricky Martin, Steve Lukather, Herbie Hancock, Kevin Eubanks and many others, del Puerto is a highly adept player capable of finding and delivering the perfect low-end groove for practically any musical style. His formal musical roots are founded on straight up Cuban music, classical and jazz. His father, Carlos del Puerto, was a most accomplished bassist himself, being his most impacting musical influence. Not surprising, Carlitos won some of the world’s most prestigious international jazz awards as an up-and-coming musician in Havana. We welcome a true international artist who is still spreading his wings in L.A., Carlitos del Puerto.

When you listen to tracks that Clarence McDonald has played on, one begins to appreciate the subtle elegance of what a master arranger and keyboardist brings to the musical table. James Taylor’s Shower The People wouldn’t be what it is without our guest’s silky Rhodes playing. Bill Wither’s Lovely Day wouldn’t be the legendary classic without his elegantly executed parts. The Emotions’ Platinum Best Of My Love needed his touch. Clarence McDonald delivered every time. As a seasoned composer, producer, arranger and keyboardist, Clarence seems to bring his sophisticated feel to every project. He has toured and performed with some of the best…James Taylor, Ray Charles, Carole King, Ella Fitzgerald, Linda Ronstadt, Boz Scaggs, Justin Timberlake, and many more. Inside MusiCast welcomes a true classic, Clarence McDonald.