Inside MusiCast

Earlier this year, bassist and vocalist Jeff Coffey left his gig with the legendary band Chicago. Jeff will be the first to admit that it was a dream gig, especially for a musician who was just finding his way back into the business after taking a hiatus from all things music. He’s now focused on other musical aspirations, including work on his third solo project, which is still in production. He’...

As a writer, producer, composer and highly sought-after guitarist, James Harrah has left his musical imprint on countless projects, including his own. He’s a guitarist that is always in demand due to his versatility, from jazz to gospel, R&B to pop, AOR to folk and rock to funk, James has delivered at every level, in every genre. He’s credited for his work with Patrick Leonard, Richard Page, H...

Being in the right place at the right time is often the foot in the door for many successful musicians, but you can never overlook the sheer talent that cracks the door open even wider. Snuffy Walden will admit that good timing had it’s good fortunes. From his early days in the blues rock band Stray Dog and opening shows for ELP, to becoming a first call studio musician having worked with artists...

It was just two years ago that we welcomed Lenny Castro to Inside MusiCast for the first time. Little did we know that in this short span of time since that interview that he would embark on creating the tracks that would become his debut solo album, “Hands Of Silk And Stone”. The album was released over the weekend on digital download sites, such as iTunes and Amazon Music and also appears on str...

If you’ve never heard the name Casey Young, you’ve definitely heard his contributions to many incredible albums.  Although he began honing his musical skills on drums, Casey eventually became fascinated with synthesizers after hearing the music of Todd Rundgren.  From that moment on, Casey became one of go-to guys for creating sounds and sound design. From building synthesizers, to helpi...

Since 1976, Ross Pallone’s passion for live mixing and studio engineering has made an imprint on the musical landscape for some of the biggest names in the business.  His big break came in the early 80’s when he met Michael McDonald while engineering Amy Holland’s debut album “On Your Every Word.” This meeting evolved into a long term relationship with McDonald, but it also set his career in...

It’s been seven years since we last visited with Michael Franks, when he had just released his last studio album “Time Together.”  In a few weeks, his brand new album “Music In My Head” is set to be released and it continues in his tradition of combining elements of jazz, pop, and Brazilian styles, with his unmistakable voice leading the way.  “Music In My Head” was a collaboration with...

If you’ve been listening to Inside MusiCast from our early beginnings in 2006, you’ll recognize this throwback show intro that was voiced by the talented singer/songwriter Jennie DeVoe. Today’s episode of Inside MusiCast is our 200th and we’re celebrating this milestone with a lighthearted conversation with one of our earliest guests and our good friend, bassist Lee Sklar. Lee is without question...

40 years ago, the Dixie Dregs released “Free Fall”, their debut album on Capricorn Records with band members Andy West, Allen Sloan, Steve Davidowski, Rod Morgenstein and today’s Inside MusiCast guest, guitarist Steve Morse.  This incarnation of the band hasn’t been back together since the release of “Free Fall”, but from now until the end of April, the complete, original line-up is on the ro...

Neil Stubenhaus is clearly one of the top A-list of bassists in the music business - and he doesn’t need to preach it. It’s proven with his discography and the select artists that he has been able to work with throughout his career. He’s sometimes under the radar, but he’s been on ours for a long time and we’re happy to have him on Inside MusiCast as a guest. From his early years with Blood, Sweat...

David Garfield is as passionate a musician as he is talented. His latest project is massive undertaking and involves collaborations with the best musicians in the music business. “Outside The Box” is the working title and Creatchy has already amassed over 40 tracks - and he’s still going. This labor of love is a collection of original tracks, as well as new arrangements of classic songs. The guest...

Andy Timmons is one of the most talented and sought after guitarists in the business. He is often referred to as “The Tone King” by his peers and colleagues, as he possesses an arsenal of tones and is as versatile a guitarist as you will encounter. Andy’s career has led him to performing with the glam band Danger Danger, to a 15 year position as musical director for Olivia Newton John, to being a...

Do you smell smoke? We do. And, where there’s smoke, there’s probably a fire somewhere. If you’re in Nashville, it was probably started by one of the area’s hottest arrangers and his smokin-est band, The Smoking Section. They burn it up at 3rd & Lindsley every few weeks. Tim Akers knows the Nashville scene better than anyone and is on the A-list of arrangers and session players who know how to...

On this special edition of Inside MusiCast, we’re breaking down Toto’s second studio album track-by-track. After the success of their debut album, Toto pushes the limits with Hydra by infusing a progressive rock approach in what may be their most unique and conceptualized album in their entire catalog. Joining us for this trip back to 1979 is Toto keyboardist, programmer, and our good friend, Stev...

Anthony Robustelli’s path to music started at a very early age.  His father was the leader of a big band and music was always prominent with a variety of instruments always at his fingertips.  Anthony’s career includes the role of musical director for Gloria Gaynor, a touring stint with Michael Franti and Spearhead, along with several solo projects under his belt.  It’s no secret th...

It’s been nearly a decade since Michael McDonald has released an album of original material, but he’s back with what may arguably be his finest effort over the course of his illustrious career. The 12 track album titled “Wide Open” is a musically diverse journey that explores elements of pop, rock, country, folk, jazz, blues and soul. Produced by Shannon Forrest, the album enlists an amazing cast...

Steve Weingart and Renee Jones are a match made in music.  High school sweethearts, they spent their early years growing together with music being their mutual passion.  Eventually they made the move to Los Angeles, with Steve focusing on music as his profession.  Renee didn’t initially pursue music as her career path, but it was Steve’s invitation for her to perform on his solo alb...

A few months ago when Toto announced the musician who would be filling the shoes of David Hungate and Mike Porcaro, we knew that it would raise a lot of curiosity amongst the band’s loyal fans when they heard the name Shem von Schroeck. The truth of the matter is that we’ve known about Shem for quite some time. In fact, we interviewed him nearly a decade ago and discovered just how multi-talented...

Stewart Copeland isn’t a one trick pony.  When he first joined us on Inside MusiCast four years ago, we spent nearly an hour and half talking about his various journeys in the world of music and barely spoke about his tenure with The Police.  From opera, avant garde, classical, jazz, pop, rock, reggae, to other forms of world music, Stewart Copeland lives for musical exploration and the...

Born and raised in L.A., Paul Jackson, Jr. was destined to become one of the most recorded guitarists in the music business. You’ve heard him play on major albums and for major artists over the past four decades - Michael Jackson, Daft Punk, Elton John, Michael Franks, Jeff Lorber, Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, George Benson, and the list goes on. We’ve finally connected with the Grammy-winning guit...

Five years ago, Gino Vannelli joined us for our 100th episode of Inside MusiCast.  At the time, he was in the process of recovering from a nearly devastating in-ear monitor accident that he feared had permanently damaged his hearing.  Fortunately, through a variety of self-healing therapies and teaching himself new singing methods, Gino overcame the trauma and has been touring, writing a...

From playing clubs at the age of 16, to venturing off to London with his friend Zoot Money and formed Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band when he was 19, Andy Summers musical journey was just beginning to flourish.  Summers went on to perform with other bands and musicians including The Soft Machine, The Animals, Kevin Coyne, Jon Lord, Joan Armatrading, David Essex, Neil Sedaka, and Kevin Ayers. &nbsp...

Jeff Lorber continues to climb to new levels as a musician and with his music.  With each new album project, his goal is to make improvements and create even better music than before.  The new Jeff Lorber Fusion project titled “Prototype” is the latest chapter in his musical saga and includes some familiar faces, as well a some new additions.  Once again, Jeff reunites with bassist...

It’s been nearly seven years since we last connected with Bernie Chiaravalle, but it goes without saying that he’s been a busy musician.  His long standing relationship with Michael McDonald has kept him moving on the road and in the studio.  He played an integral role with Amy Holland’s latest album “Light On My Path” and he has released three additional solo projects since our chat wit...

The title of Raul Midón’s brand new album, “Bad Ass And Blind”, sums it up pretty nicely. True, Raul is blind and has been since birth, but when it comes to music he’s as badass as they come. The New York Times described him as “a one man band who turns a guitar into an orchestra and his voice into a chorus.” Since 1999, Raul has released eight solo albums that touch a variety of musical landscape...