Chicago Acoustic Underground Podcast

Dog of Panic came up from their home in Springfield, Illinois and brought their Loud Power Trio sound to the CAU Stage. It was a rocking good afternoon. Many thanks to Dan, Jason, and KC for a kick ass session.

Hannah Frank (acoustic guitar, lead vocals, songwriting)For fifteen years, Hannah has crafted a style that is part blues, rock, country, alternative, downhome, folk and somehow surreal. As a guitar player she prefers heavy strings and strong sounding acoustic guitars that are non-rubbery. Her guitar idols include Chet Atkins, Brigham Sweet, Son House and Mississippi John Hurt. Lately she's been ad...

After Joel Styzens was diagnosed with tinnitus and hyperacusis, he left his career as a professional drummer to begin composing for guitar resulting in captivating, uplifting meditations. He will be accompanied by Sophie Webber on cello.

Dan and Leland joined me for a summer session last year and played a ton of their new material. Needless to say I love these guys and their brilliant lyrics. I am sorry it took so long to get it up, but now you are on the new CAU site and tons more people are listening now. Please take a listen to two of LA's best performers and be sure to catch them live as they are constantly touring the United...

Before open mics, before showcase slots, and before the hype, there was the traveling folk singer. Woody Guthrie, Ramblin Jack, Leadbelly, and others traveled the country armed with nothing but a guitar and a head full of songs. And while the tradition has long been shadowed by the ever growing music industry, the folk singer is still out there. John Craigie is one. Doing his best to keep the trad...

Originally formed in the Chicago-land area, Bob and Pricilla began Folkin' up the music scene in 2008. Immediately after this acoustic duo began writing songs together, they made a bee-line to the recording studio. While there, Bob Salihar (formerly of The Giving Tree Band and Oucho Sparks) and Pricilla Wallis had a hand in producing their first album Bob and Pricilla Till, Tomorrow. With their in...

Christine Knodle joined me for an afternoon of wonderful storytelling music by Chicagoan Herbietunes aka Herbie Gaines. We were captivated by his lyrics and the humor of life's follies that he so perfectly portrays. You will understand as you listen to "Northshore Girl" and "Subprime" how acurate his humor hits the point.

Stonehoney is Shawn Davis, Phil Hurley, Dave Phenicie, Nick Randolph and once you start listening to these guys you realize that there is a fifth member of this group which is the amazing "Lead S

The Dawn Xiana Moon Trio joined us for a pre-concert Podcast. The trio includes Mr. Cory Biggerstaff on standup Bass and Joe Chellman on Drums. This combination is amazing. Dawn has come such a long way since her first show Episode 25 way back in 2007.

Here is the lineup: Jeannie Tanner, Vocals Trumpet, Lisa McQueen, Piano, Cory Biggerstaff, Bass, and Darlene DuFay, Drums. Being a Jazz man, I totally fell in love with this Quartet. Joining me for this session was Ms. Kat Fitzgerald . The music that afternoon was absolute magic and the show lasted over one hour. Jeannie's lyrics and music are beautiful and the musicianship of this quartet is exce...

Christine Knodle brought in her Columbia College classmate for a wonderful evening of music and stories. My dear friend Donna Frost was up from Nashville for a live show and also joined us. In fact, you can check out her show on January 17,2010 at the Uncommon Ground on Clark.

This joyous and absolutely "Mad" band joined myself, Michael "Wizard of the Mix" Vez , Christine Knodle , and Jeff Brown for an evening of great music and a large measure of FUN!!!

Tom came in to the studio on a cold wintery day and both of us had head colds. Milwaukee based, Tom put out a hell of a good show even with the cold. It sort of added a Tom Waits flavor to his voice. Certainly one of the interesting parts of the show was the monster big hole he added to his guitar which you can see in the pics from the show. Tom is one hell of a performer and I am sure you will en...

Greg Combs joined me to listen to this young man's music. As you can tell by both our reactions we were impressed to say the least.

Kat Fitzgerald joined me as co-host and brought me this most amazing young woman. In the audience with us was Nashville ledgend Donna Frost. Kat was right in that I was amazed by this unique use of a loop station. Creating vocal loops and percussion sounds and turning those sounds into songs that are very accessible and exciting. Take a listen and you will see what I mean.

Austin singer. Songwriter joined me for an afternoon of songs and stories. This is one hard working man. Check out his myspace page and you will see that he is booked solid in the US and the EU through May of 2010. As always I recommend that we all support singer/songwriters by buying their music. Please help them out.

To start with Darren is the winner of the 2008 Hollywood Music Awards "Best Male Vocal Performance"!!!Derren was such a joy to listen to. What a masterful approach to melding his voice and the tone of his guitar. I loved every one of his songs and I am certain that you will also.

Well, let's see, where do I start? In the audience with me are Jeff Brown, Christine Knodle, and Buffy the CAU Dog. Willowfair is Husband and Wife Ryan and Mandy Bibza both on vocals and Mandy on the Keyboard, and twin sisters Priscella Dean on Cello and Joy Dean on violin. As you will hear on the show, I was in heaven. I had tears of Joy and my now famous goose bumps throughout their entire perfo...

OK, from the moment she walked into the studio I fell in love with this Woman from Galien, Michigan. This is a lady that can belt out a tune or sing like an angel and touch your soul. Those of you that live in Michigan or Indiana will have many chances to see her perform live as she is currently booked through Christmas of 2010. I am going to do my best to bring her back to Chicago for a live perf...

Todd came in on a sunny afternoon and put on one hell of a show. His openning song "Wrong Time Lovers" got me right up on my feet and dancing. This guyand#39;s music is so damn fine. Enjoy this show. Buy his CD and go see him live....

Ben and I had a great time talking about his life and listening to the songs of his life. I found myself getting completely lost in the music and time stopped for just a bit. He has a wonderful way of presenting his work.

Patrick joined me for an intimate soul searching show of his hauntingly beautiful songs. Patrick's vocal control is amazing! His lyrics touch your inner spirit and in combination with his guitar, well, it's a beautiful thing. Last Saturday night Patrick opened the evening for the CAU Art Music Showcase at the Viaduct Theater with two of the members of his band Daysleeper Oliver on drums and Alex o...

In the Chicago music community, Ellis is the true Renaissance Man. He is the brilliant producer of Goodbyehome's new album with a release date in January of 2010. He has several albums published under the band name Epicycle. He is friends with a veritable who's who of both Chicago based and National touring musicians.

Jeff Brown and Greg Combs joined me for this stellar show, and we had a blast with Sherri-Anne. Hailing from Vancouver, B.C. and now also San Diego, CA. She graduated from Northwestern University, but then she turned to music and we are all the better for that decision. We were having so much fun the show ran almost a full hour.

Andrew and Kevin Chin joined Greg Combs and I for and evening of their incredible music. These two are a dynamite combination of Andrew's almost mystical lyrics and vocals with Kevin' awesome leads. They totally rocked the house.