Mark and Anne Burnell have been making music and performing together in Chicago for more than 30 years. From the heart of Chicago at Petterino’s, they joined Steve Dale on the Booth 46 podcast to talk about their legendary careers, how they met, and oh yeah…Mark playing his keyboard while having brain surgery. You should just hit play on this episode already and hear them tell the story.

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 12 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Learn more about Mark and Anne, and listen to their music, at burnellmusic.com. You can follow Mark on Instagram at markburnell88 and Anne at anneburnell.

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

Regional Medical Director at Northwestern Immediate Care Dr. Sindhu Aderson joins Steve Dale with some tips for staying healthy in 2026 and advise about how to avoid injuries or worse in cold weather.

The Director of Marketing for The League of Chicago Theaters Alexis Davis joins Steve Dale (in for Bob Sirott) to preview a wonderful 2026 ahead for theater in Chicago and some of the highlights from 2025.

Ald. Scott Waguespack offers up some resolutions for Chicago and its mayor in his discussion with Steve Dale (in for Bob Sirott). The 32nd Ward alderman also talks about his want for better a working relationship between Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City Council in 2026.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joins Steve Dale (in for Bob Sirott) to discuss what he is looking forward to 2026 and how he hopes to work with the City Council to better the city. The Mayor also offers up some New Year’s resolutions for himself and the city’s alders.

Emmy Award-winning writer and author Geoffrey Mark joins Steve Dale (in for Bob Sirott) to talk about his experience witnessing the assassination of John Lennon and how Lennon’s son consoled over the guilt he endured and the helplessness he felt in that frightening moment. Steve and Mr. Mark also talks about his friendship with Rob Reiner and Geoffrey’s own struggles with sobriety as a young man, much like Reiner’s son, Nick.

Set in a hidden library speakeasy at The Lion Theatre, in the heart of the Chicago Loop (182 N. Wabash Ave.), five Shakespeare-loving actors meet to perform one of their favorite shows…and one of them takes several shots right off the top.

From Petterino’s in Chicago, Steve Dale is joined by actors Mo Reilly and Benjamin Jenkins on the Booth 46 Podcast to talk about ‘Drunk Shakespeare’. They talk about how the show is performed (from their own memory), their improv and Shakespearean backgrounds, the Chicago audience, making Shakespeare relevant to today and accessible to all, and much more.

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

We’re talking Blackhawks! Steve Dale suggests that the Chicago Blackhawks are exceeding expectations made by most. Does WGN Radio’s own Charlie Roumeliotis agree? Charlie joins Steve to offer an overview of the season so far. 

For eight consecutive years, Chicago has been chosen as the best big city in the U.S. Joining Steve Dale, Isaac Reichman from Choose Chicago offers details on how the City is celebrating. Plus, tips on what you might do to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s in the city, from fireworks, parties, dinners, and more!

Scott Pfiel, President of the International Kennel Club of Chicago’s Great American Dog Show, joins Steve Dale to talk about the big dog show coming to the Tinley Park Convention Center in January. Plus, the two also discuss the cat show that’s coming with it. To get tickets, visit greatamericandogshow.com.