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
    • 4.7 • 21 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.

    Steve Earle and Zandi Holup

    Steve Earle and Zandi Holup

    With a career spanning over four decades, Steve Earle has proven himself a master storyteller and one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation. In 1986, his record Guitar Town, was released to wide-spread critical acclaim, shooting to number one on the country charts, and is today, regarded as a classic of the Americana genre. While he first won an audience as a country artist, it didn't take long for him to demonstrate that designation was too narrow for him.

    His rough neck poetics, outspoken and unapologetic lyrical stance, and literate yet down to earth musings, have captivated audiences across genres, with his music running the gamut from country, bluegrass, and folk to the blues, roots, and rock. With 22 studio albums under his belt, he has found room for both personal and the political, often writing about the stuff of everyday life and the forces that shape and define our existence. Some of his most notable releases including his commercial breakthrough Copperhead Road (1988), and Grammy Award winning records The Revolution Starts...Now (2004), Washington Square Serenade (2007), and TOWNES (2009).

    The versatility in his discography, the strength of his work, and consistent critical acclaim has helped Earle attract a loyal following, who are more than happy to continue following his stylistic evolution.


    Cut from the same cloth as legendary folk singer-songwriters like Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell, Zandi Holup's raw brand of original folk country flourishes through raw unfiltered storytelling reminiscent of Dolly Parton and emphasized by her emotive vocals. Her edgy, deeply emotional lyrics and unique voice set her apart. She sings about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Her music is a voice for the unheard.

    A Grassroots following placed her on the map as snippets of demos and unreleased songs resonated across social media in increasing numbers. Her first release, “Wait for You,” sat at No. 1 on the all-genre Spotify Fresh Finds playlist, amassing over a million streams with no promotion outside of her TikTok following. Named a 2023 Artist to Watch by The Nashville Briefing, Holup signed a publishing deal with Arthouse Entertainment and TurnTable Music in partnership with Universal Music Publishing, and a record deal with Big Loud Records in 2023.
     
     
     
     


    EPISODE CREDITS
    Michael Perry - Host
    Phillip Anich - Announcer
    Keenan McIntyre - 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 HOST MICHAEL PERRY
    https://sneezingcow.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/sneezingcow
    https://www.instagram.com/sneezingcow/
    https://twitter.com/sneezingcow/

    2024 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/ 

    SPECIAL THANKS
    Wisconsin Public Radio - https://www.wpr.org/ 

    • 59 min
    A Salute to Glen Campbell

    A Salute to Glen Campbell

    On this episode of Tent Show Radio, experience a heartwarming presentation of Glen Campbell’s biggest hits and the stories behind them, delivered by the music legend’s band leader and guitarist of 15 years, Jeff Dayton.

    Nashville artist Jeff Dayton’s career is a success story built on hard work, faith and professionalism. The Minnesota native grew up heavily influenced by the music of guitar greats like Eric Clapton, Jerry Reed, Jimi Hendrix and, naturally, Glen Campbell. He formed the Jeff Dayton Band in Phoenix, Arizona in 1980. With a regional #1 hit under his belt, they opened shows for countless artists and major tours that passed through the city, eventually catching the eye of Glen Campbell who would quickly change his career forever.

    Dayton became Glen Campbell’s right-hand man, spending 15 years as the legendary musician’s guitarist and band leader. From the 1980’s to the 2000’s, they toured around the world and across all 50 states, performed at the White House, and appeared together on The Today Show and Glen’s PBS special with the South Dakota Orchestra. In the years that followed, Dayton had the honor of backing artists including Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Buck Owens, Tracy Byrd, Bo Diddley, Dizzy Gillespie, Gene Autry, Mac Davis and would tour with megastar Kenny Chesney, Lee Greenwood, Sarah Darling, Tammy Cochran and others. After Glen Campbell’s passing in 2017, Jeff got so many requests for a show of the icon's music that he launched “Salute to Glen Campbell,” an intimate, upbeat presentation of his hits and the first-person stories of their years together.

    Dayton has created a truly uplifting and sentimental first-person tribute to one of the greatest artists of all time; he shares the stories behind the songs, the records Glen played on as a member of the Wrecking Crew in his LA studio days, and of course, some of Campbell’s classic country humor. Jeff Dayton continues to lead the band, which includes original drummer Tom Benton, as they perform to sold-out crowds across the country, playing hits like “Wichita Lineman,” “Gentle On My Mind,” “Rhinestone Cowboy,” and all the rest, just as they were performed with Glen Campbell.
     
     
     


    EPISODE CREDITS
    Michael Perry - Host
    Phillip Anich - Announcer
    Keenan McIntyre - 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 HOST MICHAEL PERRY
    https://sneezingcow.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/sneezingcow
    https://www.instagram.com/sneezingcow/
    https://twitter.com/sneezingcow/

    2024 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/ 

    SPECIAL THANKS
    Wisconsin Public Radio - https://www.wpr.org/ 

    • 59 min
    Brulé

    Brulé

    On this episode of Tent Show Radio, enjoy thrilling performances from award-winning Native American music group Brulé.

    Brulé has pushed the boundaries of contemporary Native American rhythms and classic rock in their genre-blending selections. Their electrifying show consists of a rock ensemble augmented with an array of traditional Native American instrumentation. Paired with the stunning choreography of one of the top Native American dance troupes, their authenticity brings a multi-dimensional art form to this cultural rock opera. The musical journey of Brulé’s founder, Paul LaRoche, adds an affecting story to audiences and has been well documented in the best-selling biography "Hidden Heritage". Brulé is seen regularly on national PBS affiliates across the country. Their history-making concert, “Brulé, Live at Mount Rushmore—Concert for Reconciliation of the Cultures”, has become the longest running Native American concert special on national TV.

    Brulé produced over 70 episodes of the TV Program “Hidden Heritage” for RFD-TV. RFDTV is a cable TV network that broadcasts to over 40 million homes across the United States and international markets. The show “Hidden Heritage” presents positive stories from across Native America. A keynote presentation and workshop series has also been developed that encompasses the full body of Brulé work over the past 26 years. The presentation examines Brulé's mission of reconciliation of the cultures and focuses on the current state of Native America as it attempts to merge into the mainstream entertainment industry.
     
     
    EPISODE CREDITS
    Michael Perry - Host
    Phillip Anich - Announcer
    Matt Jugeinhemer - 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 HOST MICHAEL PERRY
    https://sneezingcow.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/sneezingcow
    https://www.instagram.com/sneezingcow/
    https://twitter.com/sneezingcow/


    2024 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/ 
    Kylmala Truss - https://www.kylmalatruss.com/

    • 59 min
    Ladies of the Canyon

    Ladies of the Canyon

    On this episode of Tent Show Radio, enjoy performances from the Blue Canvas Orchestra and stars of Big Top Idol as take on some of the most iconic songs to come out of California's greatest music scene.

    Laurel Canyon was a hotbed of music in the early 1970s, and legendary artists like Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Cass Elliott were resident mainstays of that time along with The Eagles and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Enjoy performances from the Blue Canvas Orchestra and a variety of rising stars featured in Big Top Idol over the last decade, as our first Idol winner Danielle Diamond and Musical Director Severin Behnen lead this original production celebrates the musical perspectives of that magical time, from the female artists that called the iconic area in the Hollywood Hills home.
     

    EPISODE CREDITS
    Michael Perry - Host
    Phillip Anich - Announcer
    Matt Jugeinhemer - 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 HOST MICHAEL PERRY
    https://sneezingcow.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/sneezingcow
    https://www.instagram.com/sneezingcow/
    https://twitter.com/sneezingcow/


    2024 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/ 
    Kylmala Truss - https://www.kylmalatruss.com/


    SPECIAL THANKS
    Wisconsin Public Radio - https://www.wpr.org/ 

    • 59 min
    Pickin' on Rock

    Pickin' on Rock

    On this episode of Tent Show Radio, enjoy high-energy and high-caliber entertainment from the Blue Canvas Orchestra in Pickin' on Rock!

    Take a classic rock song, add Big Top Chautauqua's famed house band the Blue Canvas Orchestra, and the result is something that is sure to move an audience. Led by Molly Otis & Ed Willett, Pickin' on Rock debuted at the tent in the summer of 2022 and immediately became an audience favorite. In this rousing show, classic rock songs are interpreted into the bluegrass and alternative string stylings of the Blue Canvas Orchestra. From Led Zeppelin, Queen, Guns N ’Roses, to Heart, The Beatles, and more. You’ve heard these songs before, but not quite like this.

    This episode features: Molly Otis, Ed Willett, Severin Behnen, Randy Wydra, Scott Kirby, Stevie Matier, Nori Schwenzfeier, and Harrison Olk.




    EPISODE CREDITS
    Michael Perry - Host
    Phillip Anich - Announcer
    Matt Jugeinhemer - 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 HOST MICHAEL PERRY
    https://sneezingcow.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/sneezingcow
    https://www.instagram.com/sneezingcow/
    https://twitter.com/sneezingcow/


    2024 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/ 
    Kylmala Truss - https://www.kylmalatruss.com/


    SPECIAL THANKS
    Wisconsin Public Radio - https://www.wpr.org/ 

    • 59 min
    Trapper Schoepp

    Trapper Schoepp

    On this episode of Tent Show Radio, Milwaukee singer/songwriter Trapper Schoepp performs tunes from his latest release, Siren Songs.

    Trapper Schoepp is a storyteller. Both in his songs and between them in live performances, he seemingly never tires of telling stories—his own and those he witnesses, learns about and dreams up. Through his unwavering commitment to authenticity and unrelenting passion for storytelling, Schoepp not only pays homage to the roots of American music but also pushes the boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on the ever-evolving tapestry of sound.

    In 2019, Milwaukee’s Trapper Schoepp hit a songwriter’s jackpot: a co-write with Bob Dylan. The circumstances behind the song titled, “On, Wisconsin” were wildly serendipitous, and made Schoepp the youngest musician to share a co-writing credit with the Nobel Prize laureate. A collaboration 57 years in the making, “On, Wisconsin” led to features in Rolling Stone and Billboard, an album called Primetime Illusion, and nearly a hundred international tour dates.

    Schoepp continues down the trail trod by his musical heroes with his latest release, Siren Songs, an album of 12 songs filled with timeless folklore and nautical imagery. In a fortunate stroke of serendipity, Trapper is joined on two tracks by Sarah Peasall McGuffey, who famously lent her vocal talents to the aforementioned film.

    Trapper sings alongside his brother and bassist, Tanner Schoepp, with characteristic blood harmony, the unique blend of sibling singers. The studio band included drummer Jon Radford (Justin Townes Earle), John Jackson on mandolin and violin, Patrick Sansone on keys, Quinn Scharber on Nashville tuned guitar, and Jim Hoke (Dolly Parton, Paul McCartney) on tin whistle and accordion.





    EPISODE CREDITS
    Michael Perry - Host
    Phillip Anich - Announcer
    Matt Jugeinhemer - 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 HOST MICHAEL PERRY
    https://sneezingcow.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/sneezingcow
    https://www.instagram.com/sneezingcow/
    https://twitter.com/sneezingcow/


    2024 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/ 
    Kylmala Truss - https://www.kylmalatruss.com/


    SPECIAL THANKS
    Wisconsin Public Radio - https://www.wpr.org/ 
     

     
     

    • 59 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
21 Ratings

21 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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