Inside MusiCast

Steve Lukather is still under construction as a musician. Although he has chosen three distinct roads to follow during his career (as a solo performer, as a member of the Grammy Award winning band TOTO, and also as a top session player) he still is not intimidated by the process of collaborating with other musicians and writers to create fresh music. This is evident as he prepares to put the final touches on his latest solo album which is yet untitled. After a year of solid touring with TOTO, he was still able to write the solo album with fellow collaborator Randy Goodrum in only two weeks. With very little time to write, record, and produce finished tracks, Steve admits that working under pressure helps him work better and ultimately deliver a better record. In the midst of working on his solo album, he’s preparing to embark on a second phase of touring, which also includes a European leg with Toto. An intense schedule? Yeah. Madness? Maybe. But then again, you have to know Luke. He’s a pretty intense guy that needs to keep things moving along. Inside MusiCast shifts into overdrive and invites you into the world of Steve Lukather.

Making it in the music business requires lots of talent, perseverance, and luck. This is especially important if you are a young musician. For Chicago-born bassist Tommy Sims, it was sheer, soulful talent that unlocked the door of opportunity. His first big break came at the age of 23 when Bruce Springsteen, who had heard of Tommy’s talent, called and asked if he would come jam with the band. One day turned to three, and finally, he was asked to join the group. After his education with Springsteen, Sims gained the respect of the music industry as a premier songwriter. He co-penned the smash hit Change the World  for Eric Clapton and Babyface, which won the prestigious Song of the Year and Record of the Year Grammy’s in 1997. His writing, producing and skill as a musician have brought him to work with a variety of soul, country, Gospel, funk and rock artists. Here’s a short list: Bonnie Raitt, Kenny Loggins, Joan Osbourne, Newsboys, the Neville Brothers, Michael McDonald, Michael W. Smith, Trisha Yearwood, Amy Grant, and the list continues. Join us as we delve into the life and music of one of Nashville’s most talented artists. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Tommy Sims.

The name Greg Phillinganes is about to get a little more popular in the music world. You see, this year, this most prolific keyboardist, arranger, composer and performer has been nominated for his first Grammy. He has been nominated for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for Good Morning Heartache featuring Jill Scott on Chris Botti’s new album, To Love Again. As a perennial top session player, Greg has continued to expand his project repertoire by working with the best of the best. From his collaborations with Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, George Benson, Paul McCartney, and currently as a band member of the Grammy Award winning band TOTO, Greg shows that he’s not afraid of discovering new musical horizons and that’s what keeps him on the edge of music and music technology. Join us as we chat with Greg about his career, TOTO, and the future. Inside MusiCast welcomes Greg Phillinganes.

Our guest has been blessed with one of the most distinctive voices in the music industry. His stand-out lead-vocals for the rock group Ambrosia have left impressionable hits in our minds over the years such as, Biggest Part of Me, How Much I Feel, Holding on to Yesterday, and You’re The Only Woman. Over his hit-packed career, he has continued to write and produce for diverse artists such as Brian McKnight, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle, Brian Setzer, Andre Crouch, Take 6, Bruce Hornsby, Chick Corea, Trisha Yearwood, Linda Ronstadt and others. Recently, he released his long-awaited new solo album, The Secret of Movin On on Concord/Peak records, highlighting vocal collaborations with Journey frontman Steve Perry, Heart’s Nancy Wilson, the Eagle’s Timothy B. Schmidt, and Dewey Bunell of America. It’s a definite must get album. We’re glad to welcome David Pack, our first guest of the new year, to Inside MusiCast.

And, in the spirit of the Holiday giving, your hosts Rick Such and Eddy Cabello invite you to enjoy a SPECIAL Inside MusiCast Christmas Edition. This podcast includes Holiday greetings from Lee Sklar, David Garfield, Freddie Washington, Chris Boardman and a special message from Robbie Buchanan. You’ll hear what they’re up to at Christmastime and also what’s ahead for them in 2007, so don’t miss it. We’ll also have a special Inside MusiCast Christmas performance by Jennie DeVoe. She’ll sing Santa Claus is Back in Town. Don’t miss it. Finally, if you’ve been posting your comments on our website, you know that you’ve been entered into a drawing to win a shiny new iPod Nano! Your hosts will joyfully announce the winner at the end of the show, so don’t miss it!

Season’s Greetings from Inside MusiCast

In the music business you can’t always plan where your career takes you. Most of the time it just falls into place over the course of the many years. Our guest has had the good fortune of having the pieces of his career fall into place by calling the right shots at the right time. He is the consummate session musician and one of the most respected bassists in the industry. As an original member of the rock band Toto, David Hungate provided a rhythmic anchor to a band that delivered classic songs as Rosanna and Africa to the world. From his beginnings with Sonny and Cher to his Grammy-winning Toto work, to Randy Travis, David has never been removed from the A-list of bassists because of his ability to provide the right groove for the right music. He left the LA scene for all the right reasons, and along the way built a network of premier accounts in Nashville that just won’t stop calling such as Toby Keith, April Barrows, Brooks & Dunn, Neil Diamond, Manhattan Transfer, Reba, Eddie Rabbitt, Linda Ronstadt, Boz Scaggs and Kenny Rogers. We welcome David Hungate to Inside MusiCast.

The Los Angeles based keyboard player David Garfield has a long career as a musical director, arranger, composer and producer behind him, and he is still one of the ‘Cats’ that you always see playing local clubs such as The Baked Potato, Cafe Cordiale, or La Ve Lee. You’ll also find him on world tours with big acts like George Benson. Garfield has also performed at Keyboard Magazine’s 20th Anniversary Concert at the NAMM show alongside Bruce Hornsby and Joe Zawinul; played at the Modern Drummer magazine’s anniversary concert with Steve Ferrone; scored the syndicated TV show Sentinel; sat in with Isaac Hayes and The Blues Brothers at a House of Blues benefit concert; written music for the trailer for the Billy Crystal-Robin Williams comedy Father’s Day with James Newton-Howard, and finally the recording sessions for the Tribute to Jeff release. He is the founder of the band Los Lobotomys and Karizma and continues to influence the music world around us.

A veritable drumming virtuoso, our guest very well may be one of the most active and sought-after session drummers around. From his session work in the early 70’s with the likes of Bernie Taupin, Nick Gilder, Scandal and Danny Wilde, to his 80’s success with pop superstar act Mr. Mister, to his modern-day role as the drummer behind prog rock band King Crimson, not to mention his amazing session discography with a countless variety of artists, it’s easy to see how this musical diversity has contributed to the making of one of the most versatile musicians in the business. Inside MusiCast welcomes Pat Mastelotto.

If you read our guest’s bio, you’ll learn that his first gig was at the age of 12 playing piano 6 nights in a small Canadian town in the Yukon Territory. Google his name and you’ll discover that this man’s amazing keyboard talent has connected him to some of the biggest names in the music business over the years. In fact, on one project, Barbra Steisand even came over to his home studio and laid down vocal tracks with him. He was recently back in LA to help out on her new live show with Il Divo and has recently finished recording and producing Bette Midler’s latest Christmas project. His name can be found on almost every major artist’s album credits: Elton John, George Benson, Chicago, Michael Franks, Luis Miguel, Joe Sample, Quincy Jones, Celine Dion, Earth Wind & Fire, Boz Scaggs. We’re glad to welcome a phenomenal keyboardist, producer and writer to Inside MusiCast - Robbie Buchanan.

Our guest is one of the hardest working musicians and singers today. For over a decade, you’ve heard Chris Rodriguez adding his rich background vocals to studio and live performances for Shania Twain, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Billy Joel, Wynonna, and many others. But don’t underestimate his vocal versatility — he’s just finished laying down backing tracks for MegaDeth’s latest project and is currently touring with Kenny Loggins. He’s also ready to go on the road with Country Mega-star Keith Urban for a year. Chris is Nashville’s most sought after backing vocalists because he can sing anything. He’s blessed with incredible vocal range and even delivered a solo project recently. This only confirms this man’s talent. And, did we mention that he is an incredible guitarist? Inside MusiCast welcomes the talented Chris Rodriguez.