EricCast

Ruben Studdard won the second season of American Idol. Clay Aiken was runner-up. Thus began two major music careers and a friendship that became akin to family. Now, in 2023, the two Idols are going on tour together. In this episode, we talk about how friends were the only reason they tried out for Idol, how music, technology, and social media has changed the landscape, which older

Country music star Kathy Mattea broke out in 1986; she has seen and experienced many changes in the music industry since as she continues to tour. We spoke with her about the community spirit for artists, how you can now cut and distribute a hit record using your phone, her experiences in the Midwest (including her bus getting boarded by Oprah's show) and how she lost her voice for

Foreigner burst onto the scene in 1977 and immediately impacted the rock world. Bassist Rick Wills joined the group in 1979 for the "Head Games" album and has been with them on and off ever since. Still touring with Foreigner, I sit down with Rick for 15 minutes to discuss his origins with David Gilmour and Peter Frampton, why it pays to hang out in pubs, trying to cash a big check

Ray Parker Jr. is known for "The Other Woman," songs with Raydio like "You Can't Change That," and of course "Ghostbusters." But his roots in Detroit meant he was playing clubs in his teens and was lead guitarist for Stevie Wonder on his 1972 tour with the Rolling Stones. Parker Jr. wrote hits for Rufus & Chaka Khan and played with everyone from Diana Ross and Barry White to The Ca

A farm boy from Nebraska discovered cable - sorta - and became a huge comedian with the help of morning radio and a friend he met during Atlanta Braves spring training games named Jeff Foxworthy. Larry the Cable Guy hooked audiences up with laughter across the country in the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and is still at it. Ahead of his Milwaukee show, I talk with Larry about his Wiscons

Lewis Black has been described as "a passionate performer who is more pissed-off optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon." He rants on everything from politics to how Starbucks showing up on opposite corners of the same street corner is a sign of the end. His observations skewer everything, and offers more insight at times than serious commentators. Ahead of his Milwaukee appearance

He was the first person to say "Live From New York, It's Saturday Night!" He hosted Weekend Update and then got into movies from Foul Play to Caddyshack to Fletch, and of course the series of National Lampoon's Vacation movies. Ahead of his coming to Milwaukee for a screening of Christmas Vacation where he'll do Q&A, I got to talk with Chevy Chase about falls with President Ford, w

Lou Ferrigno turned near-deafness as a child into motivation to become Mr. Universe and a series of other bodybuilding titles, which led to acting and his role as The Incredible Hulk. Since then, he's acted in movies, led exercise programs as the behest of a President, has been deputized in 22 states, and can be seen shortly at Wizard World. Eric talks with Lou ahead of his Madison

For all the controversy around the Jerry Springer Show and its reflections on our culture, Jerry Springer himself remains. Born in England after his parents fled Nazi Germany, Springer followed passions of politics and law; becoming a mayor led him into news, which led to the ascent of The Jerry Springer Show in 1991. Now, as 2020 nears, his law experience takes center stage as he

Toto is celebrating 40 Trips Around the Sun and then some with a tour. Ahead of a show in Madison, Wisconsin, Eric Paulsen talks with guitarist Steve Lukather about the band, its origins, his career as a legendary guitarist playing with everyone from A (Aretha) to Z (Zevon) and more.