100 episodes

First broadcast in 1994, Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program showcasing the best live recordings from acclaimed music acts and entertainers who grace the Big Top Chautauqua stage each summer in beautiful Bayfield, WI. In the program's nearly 30 year history it has featured artists like Johnny Cash, B.B King, Brandi Carlile, Willie Nelson, Don McLean, and many more. Hosted by celebrated New York Times best-selling author Michael Perry-who weaves stories and humor throughout each episode - Tent Show Radio features performances from renowned national & regional artists, with regular appearances featuring Big Top’s own unique brand of shows that feature songs and stories performed by its acclaimed house band, The Blue Canvas Orchestra.

Tent Show Radio is independently produced by Big Top Chautauqua, a non-profit performing arts organization, with a mission to present performances and events that celebrate history and the environment - along with their annual summer concert series - nestled in the woods on the shores of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands.

Tent Show Radio Tent Show Radio

    • Music
    • 4.8 • 16 Ratings

First broadcast in 1994, Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program showcasing the best live recordings from acclaimed music acts and entertainers who grace the Big Top Chautauqua stage each summer in beautiful Bayfield, WI. In the program's nearly 30 year history it has featured artists like Johnny Cash, B.B King, Brandi Carlile, Willie Nelson, Don McLean, and many more. Hosted by celebrated New York Times best-selling author Michael Perry-who weaves stories and humor throughout each episode - Tent Show Radio features performances from renowned national & regional artists, with regular appearances featuring Big Top’s own unique brand of shows that feature songs and stories performed by its acclaimed house band, The Blue Canvas Orchestra.

Tent Show Radio is independently produced by Big Top Chautauqua, a non-profit performing arts organization, with a mission to present performances and events that celebrate history and the environment - along with their annual summer concert series - nestled in the woods on the shores of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands.

    Madison Cunningham and The Foxgloves

    Madison Cunningham and The Foxgloves

    Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Madison Cunningham takes a literate, harmonically nuanced approach to folk and pop music. She first grabbed attention with the release of her debut EP, Love, Lose, Remember in 2017. Expanding upon her textured, sometimes jazz-inflected indie folk, her first full-length, Who Are You Now, arrived in 2019 and her sophomore album, 2022’s Revolver earned Cunningham her first Grammy award for Best Folk Album. Rolling Stone describes Cunningham’s sound as “a new spin on West Coast folk-rock, with classical tendencies, electric guitars, jazz-school chord changes and alt-rock strut all living beneath the same roof.” Her unique melodies, elastic voice, honest storytelling, and deft approach to the electric guitar, quickly earned her a dedicated fan base and saw her open shows for notable artists like Harry Styles, Punch Brothers, and Lake Street Dive.

    The Foxgloves are an all-female Americana band from the Twin Cities featuring Maura Dunst (Vocals/Fiddles/Mandolin), Liz DeYoe (Guitar), Steph Snow (Vocals/Ukulele/Banjo), Nikki Lemire (Vocals/Harp), Sara Tinklenberg (Vocals/Percussion), and Nyssa Krause (Bass). With songs you won’t be able to stop humming. Their engaging presence, rich instrumentation, compelling storytelling songwriting, four-part harmonies, and creatively reimagined covers render them a force to be reckoned with. This powerful band is making moves you’ll want to witness. A little bit of country, a little bit of folk, a little bit of classical, and a whole lot of heart — your toes will tap of their own accord.

    This episode features recordings from The Foxgloves’ July 2022 performance and Madison Cunningham’s August 2022 performance under the tent.
     
    First broadcast in 1994, Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program showcasing the best live recordings from acclaimed music acts and entertainers who grace the Big Top Chautauqua stage each summer in beautiful Bayfield, WI. In the program's nearly 30-year history it has featured artists like Johnny Cash, B.B King, Brandi Carlile, Willie Nelson, Don McLean, and many more. Hosted by celebrated New York Times best-selling author Michael Perry-who weaves stories and humor throughout each episode - Tent Show Radio features performances from renowned national & regional artists, with regular appearances featuring Big Top’s own unique brand of shows that feature songs and stories performed by its acclaimed house band, The Blue Canvas Orchestra. Tent Show Radio is independently produced by Big Top Chautauqua, a non-profit performing arts organization, with a mission to present performances and events that celebrate history and the environment - along with their annual summer concert series - nestled in the woods on the shores of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands. 
     
    EPISODE CREDITS
    Michael Perry - Host
    Phillip Anich - Announcer
    Jaime Hansen - Engineer
    Gina Nagro - Marketing Support
    FOLLOW BIG TOP CHAUTAUQUA
    https://www.facebook.com/bigtopchautauqua/
    https://www.instagram.com/bigtopchautauqua/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@bigtopchautauqua
    https://twitter.com/BigBlueTent
    FOLLOW MICHAEL PERRY
    https://sneezingcow.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/sneezingcow
    https://www.instagram.com/sneezingcow/
    https://twitter.com/sneezingcow/

    2023 TENT SHOW RADIO SPONSORS
    Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.visitashland.com/ 
    Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau - https://www.bayfield.org/ 
    Bayfield County Tourism - https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/150/Tourism 
    The Bayfield Inn - https://bayfieldinn.com/ 
    Cable Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.cable4fun.com/ 
    Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce - https://washburnchamber.com/
    SPECIAL THANKS
    Wisconsin Public Radio - https://www.wpr.org/ 

    • 59 min
    Gaelic Storm

    Gaelic Storm

    It’s hard to imagine Gaelic Storm coming into its own after 20 years of success, but that’s precisely what makes the group a true anomaly. Founded in 1996, the band’s first major career breakthrough arrived before they had even recorded their first album. Appearing as the "steerage band" entertaining passengers with “An Irish Party in Third Class” in James Cameron's massive 1997 blockbuster Titanic, Gaelic Storm were widely embraced by audiences when they released their self-titled debut album a year later.

    Led by founding members Patrick Murphy and Steve Twigger, the acclaimed multi-national Celtic juggernaut grows stronger with each live performance, and as you can imagine, after two decades and over 2000 shows (13 of which have been on the Big Top stage), it is a true force to be reckoned with. With their energetic mix of Irish and Scottish traditional fare, drinking songs, and playful original material they have developed a fanatic and well-diversified fan base. Country Music fans adore their storytelling, Bluegrass fans love the instrumentals, Celtic fans love their devotion to tradition, and rock fans simply relish the passion they have for their instruments.

    Throughout their multi-decade career, Gaelic Storm has amassed more than 250 million streams, racked up numerous Top 10 spots on the Billboard World Charts, and released 13 studio albums including How Are We Getting Home?, Bring Yer Wellies, and What’s The Rumpus. With their most recent release Go Climb A Tree, their music has never sounded more representative of themselves as musicians and as live performers. In addition to Murphy and Twigger, the band features percussionist Ryan Lacey, piper Peter Purvis, and fiddle player Natalya Kay.


    This episode features recordings from Gaelic Storm's July 2022 performance under the tent.
     
    First broadcast in 1994, Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program showcasing the best live recordings from acclaimed music acts and entertainers who grace the Big Top Chautauqua stage each summer in beautiful Bayfield, WI. In the program's nearly 30-year history it has featured artists like Johnny Cash, B.B King, Brandi Carlile, Willie Nelson, Don McLean, and many more. Hosted by celebrated New York Times best-selling author Michael Perry-who weaves stories and humor throughout each episode - Tent Show Radio features performances from renowned national & regional artists, with regular appearances featuring Big Top’s own unique brand of shows that feature songs and stories performed by its acclaimed house band, The Blue Canvas Orchestra. Tent Show Radio is independently produced by Big Top Chautauqua, a non-profit performing arts organization, with a mission to present performances and events that celebrate history and the environment - along with their annual summer concert series - nestled in the woods on the shores of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands. 
     
     
    EPISODE CREDITS
    Michael Perry - Host
    Phillip Anich - Announcer
    Jaime Hansen - Engineer
    Gina Nagro - Marketing Support
    FOLLOW BIG TOP CHAUTAUQUA
    https://www.facebook.com/bigtopchautauqua/
    https://www.instagram.com/bigtopchautauqua/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@bigtopchautauqua
    https://twitter.com/BigBlueTent
    FOLLOW MICHAEL PERRY
    https://sneezingcow.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/sneezingcow
    https://www.instagram.com/sneezingcow/
    https://twitter.com/sneezingcow/

    2023 TENT SHOW RADIO SPONSORS
    Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.visitashland.com/ 
    Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau - https://www.bayfield.org/ 
    Bayfield County Tourism - https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/150/Tourism 
    The Bayfield Inn - https://bayfieldinn.com/ 
    Cable Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.cable4fun.com/ 
    Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce - https://washburnchamber.com/
    SPECIAL THANKS
    Wisconsin Public Radio - https://www.wpr.org/ 

    • 59 min
    Don McLean

    Don McLean

    Grammy Award Nominee, Songwriter Hall of Fame Member, and BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Don Mclean hit the road last year to celebrate 50 years since the release of one of the most iconic songs and albums of all time. The legendary performer, known for mega-hit songs like "Vincent (Starry Starry Night)” and “And I Love You So,” entertained fans across North America during the American Pie 50th Anniversary Tour, performing songs from the iconic album and other fan-favorite hits. Since the eight-and-a-half-minute ballad “American Pie” hit number #1 on the billboard charts in 1971, the song has since been inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, named a top 5 song of the 20th Century by the Recording Industry of America, and inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame. With 22 studio albums under his belt, numerous accolades, countless mega-hit songs, McLean has cemented himself as one of the most significant and influential performers of all time.

    This episode features recordings from McLean's June 2022 performance under the tent.
     
     
    First broadcast in 1994, Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program showcasing the best live recordings from acclaimed music acts and entertainers who grace the Big Top Chautauqua stage each summer in beautiful Bayfield, WI. In the program's nearly 30-year history it has featured artists like Johnny Cash, B.B King, Brandi Carlile, Willie Nelson, Don McLean, and many more. Hosted by celebrated New York Times best-selling author Michael Perry-who weaves stories and humor throughout each episode - Tent Show Radio features performances from renowned national & regional artists, with regular appearances featuring Big Top’s own unique brand of shows that feature songs and stories performed by its acclaimed house band, The Blue Canvas Orchestra. Tent Show Radio is independently produced by Big Top Chautauqua, a non-profit performing arts organization, with a mission to present performances and events that celebrate history and the environment - along with their annual summer concert series - nestled in the woods on the shores of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands. 
     
     
    EPISODE CREDITS
    Michael Perry - Host
    Phillip Anich - Announcer
    Jaime Hansen - Engineer
    Gina Nagro - Marketing Support
    FOLLOW BIG TOP CHAUTAUQUA
    https://www.facebook.com/bigtopchautauqua/
    https://www.instagram.com/bigtopchautauqua/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@bigtopchautauqua
    https://twitter.com/BigBlueTent
    FOLLOW MICHAEL PERRY
    https://sneezingcow.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/sneezingcow
    https://www.instagram.com/sneezingcow/
    https://twitter.com/sneezingcow/

    2023 TENT SHOW RADIO SPONSORS
    Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.visitashland.com/ 
    Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau - https://www.bayfield.org/ 
    Bayfield County Tourism - https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/150/Tourism 
    The Bayfield Inn - https://bayfieldinn.com/ 
    Cable Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.cable4fun.com/ 
    Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce - https://washburnchamber.com/
    SPECIAL THANKS
    Wisconsin Public Radio - https://www.wpr.org/ 

    • 59 min
    Home Free

    Home Free

    No instruments. No tracks. No fillers. Praised by the likes of American Songwriter, Billboard, and Rolling Stone, award winning a cappella sensation Home Free returned to Big Top in September 2022 for their third appearance under the tent. Their high-energy and electrifying performances fuse Nashville standards with country-dipped pop hits, resulting in a truly unique and incredible sound. Declared “Country Music fans’ favorite a cappella group,” Home Free rose to fame after winning the fourth season of NBC’s vocal competition The Sing Off. Following their time on the show, the group committed themselves to producing music and video content while crafting and touring their incredible live shows.

    The group has released 12 albums, five of which have been Christmas records including 2020’s Warmest Wishes. A number of their albums reached the top 10 on the Billboard Country charts, including their debut album 2014’s Crazy Life, 2015’s Country Evolution, and most recently 2021’s Dive Bar Saints rose to the #4 spot. The extraordinary world-class vocalists have garnered a large following, selling nearly 600,000 albums, embarking on major international tours, and amassing 500+ million views and 1.3 million subscribers on YouTube.


     
    First broadcast in 1994, Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program showcasing the best live recordings from acclaimed music acts and entertainers who grace the Big Top Chautauqua stage each summer in beautiful Bayfield, WI. In the program's nearly 30-year history it has featured artists like Johnny Cash, B.B King, Brandi Carlile, Willie Nelson, Don McLean, and many more. Hosted by celebrated New York Times best-selling author Michael Perry-who weaves stories and humor throughout each episode - Tent Show Radio features performances from renowned national & regional artists, with regular appearances featuring Big Top’s own unique brand of shows that feature songs and stories performed by its acclaimed house band, The Blue Canvas Orchestra. Tent Show Radio is independently produced by Big Top Chautauqua, a non-profit performing arts organization, with a mission to present performances and events that celebrate history and the environment - along with their annual summer concert series - nestled in the woods on the shores of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands. 
     
     
    EPISODE CREDITS
    Michael Perry - Host
    Phillip Anich - Announcer
    Jaime Hansen - Engineer
    Gina Nagro - Marketing Support
    FOLLOW BIG TOP CHAUTAUQUA
    https://www.facebook.com/bigtopchautauqua/
    https://www.instagram.com/bigtopchautauqua/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@bigtopchautauqua
    https://twitter.com/BigBlueTent
    FOLLOW MICHAEL PERRY
    https://sneezingcow.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/sneezingcow
    https://www.instagram.com/sneezingcow/
    https://twitter.com/sneezingcow/

    2023 TENT SHOW RADIO SPONSORS
    Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.visitashland.com/ 
    Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau - https://www.bayfield.org/ 
    Bayfield County Tourism - https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/150/Tourism 
    The Bayfield Inn - https://bayfieldinn.com/ 
    Cable Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.cable4fun.com/ 
    Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce - https://washburnchamber.com/
    SPECIAL THANKS
    Wisconsin Public Radio - https://www.wpr.org/ 

    • 59 min
    Michael Perry (Stories & Songs)

    Michael Perry (Stories & Songs)

    In an evening reminiscent of the VH1 Storytellers television series, Tent Show Radio host Michael Perry is joined onstage by his longtime bandmate and sometimes personal pilot Evan Middlesworth and additional special guests. In addition to the side-splitting laughs and fresh stories fans have come to expect from Perry, he and Middlesworth will perform stripped-down versions of several songs from Perry's musical catalog and share the backstory behind the songs...in addition to a few tales from the tour van.

    This episode features recordings from Michael Perry's August 2022 performance under the tent.
     
    First broadcast in 1994, Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program showcasing the best live recordings from acclaimed music acts and entertainers who grace the Big Top Chautauqua stage each summer in beautiful Bayfield, WI. In the program's nearly 30-year history it has featured artists like Johnny Cash, B.B King, Brandi Carlile, Willie Nelson, Don McLean, and many more. Hosted by celebrated New York Times best-selling author Michael Perry-who weaves stories and humor throughout each episode - Tent Show Radio features performances from renowned national & regional artists, with regular appearances featuring Big Top’s own unique brand of shows that feature songs and stories performed by its acclaimed house band, The Blue Canvas Orchestra. Tent Show Radio is independently produced by Big Top Chautauqua, a non-profit performing arts organization, with a mission to present performances and events that celebrate history and the environment - along with their annual summer concert series - nestled in the woods on the shores of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands.
     
     
    EPISODE CREDITS
    Michael Perry - Host
    Phillip Anich - Announcer
    Jaime Hansen - Engineer & Producer
    Gina Nagro - Marketing Support

    FOLLOW BIG TOP CHAUTAUQUA
    https://www.facebook.com/bigtopchautauqua/
    https://www.instagram.com/bigtopchautauqua/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@bigtopchautauqua
    https://twitter.com/BigBlueTent
    FOLLOW MICHAEL PERRY
    https://sneezingcow.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/sneezingcow
    https://www.instagram.com/sneezingcow/
    https://twitter.com/sneezingcow/

    2023 TENT SHOW RADIO SPONSORS
    Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.visitashland.com/ 
    Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau - https://www.bayfield.org/ 
    Bayfield County Tourism - https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/150/Tourism 
    The Bayfield Inn - https://bayfieldinn.com/ 
    Cable Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.cable4fun.com/ 
    Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce - https://washburnchamber.com/
    SPECIAL THANKS
    Wisconsin Public Radio - https://www.wpr.org/ 

    • 59 min
    Riders In The Sky

    Riders In The Sky

    Regarded as one of the “most historically significant acts in the history of American music” by Billboard magazine, the GRAMMY award-winning quartet of Ranger Doug, Woody Paul, Too Slim, and Joey the Cowpolka King, have kept the heritage of Western music alive as they have entertained audiences across the world for more than 40 years. Riders In The Sky kick off each performance with their trademark greeting, “Mighty fine and a great big Western ‘Howdy,’ all you buckaroos and buckarettes,” their live shows showcase each player’s masterful musicianship with an added dose of broad, quick-witted humor as they pay tribute to the classic cowboy songs of the 1930s and ‘40s.

    Since their start in 1977, Riders In The Sky have released more than 40 albums, starred in the anthology television series “Tumbleweed Theater,” wrote and starred in their NPR syndicated radio program “Riders Radio Theater,” hosted their own children’s program on CBS, and have made more than 7,000 appearances all over the world. The Grand Ole Opry and Western Music Hall of Fame inductees have become well-known to new generations for their work with Disney & Pixar, notably their tune “Woody’s Roundup” from Toy Story 2 and the full-length GRAMMY award-winning companion albums for Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc.

    This episode features recordings from their September 2022 performance under the tent.
     
    First broadcast in 1994, Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program showcasing the best live recordings from acclaimed music acts and entertainers who grace the Big Top Chautauqua stage each summer in beautiful Bayfield, WI. In the program's nearly 30-year history it has featured artists like Johnny Cash, B.B King, Brandi Carlile, Willie Nelson, Don McLean, and many more. Hosted by celebrated New York Times best-selling author Michael Perry-who weaves stories and humor throughout each episode - Tent Show Radio features performances from renowned national & regional artists, with regular appearances featuring Big Top’s own unique brand of shows that feature songs and stories performed by its acclaimed house band, The Blue Canvas Orchestra. Tent Show Radio is independently produced by Big Top Chautauqua, a non-profit performing arts organization, with a mission to present performances and events that celebrate history and the environment - along with their annual summer concert series - nestled in the woods on the shores of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands.
     
     
    EPISODE CREDITS
    Michael Perry - Host
    Phillip Anich - Announcer
    Jaime Hansen - Engineer & Producer
    Gina Nagro - Marketing Support

    FOLLOW BIG TOP CHAUTAUQUA
    https://www.facebook.com/bigtopchautauqua/
    https://www.instagram.com/bigtopchautauqua/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@bigtopchautauqua
    https://twitter.com/BigBlueTent
    FOLLOW MICHAEL PERRY
    https://sneezingcow.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/sneezingcow
    https://www.instagram.com/sneezingcow/
    https://twitter.com/sneezingcow/

    2023 TENT SHOW RADIO SPONSORS
    Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.visitashland.com/ 
    Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau - https://www.bayfield.org/ 
    Bayfield County Tourism - https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/150/Tourism 
    The Bayfield Inn - https://bayfieldinn.com/ 
    Cable Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.cable4fun.com/ 
    Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce - https://washburnchamber.com/
    SPECIAL THANKS
    Wisconsin Public Radio - https://www.wpr.org/ 

    • 59 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
16 Ratings

16 Ratings

SuperiorRanger ,

Love this!

Having lived ten years on the south shore of Lake Superior, I’ve learned to enjoy Big Top. Now that I’ve moved I’m so grateful to learn of this as a podcast. Now I can enjoy a little bit of Chequamegon Bay even down here in southern WI. Such a great collection of musicians, actors, singers, and characters!

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