Tent Show Radio

Tune in this week as author/host Michael Perry welcomes our homespun hereo Corey Carlson to the Big Top stage.  In this episode’s monologue – delivered from the backstage dressing room with the one lonely little lightbulb burnin’ – Mike tells the story of getting stuck–and unstuck..

Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua (www.bigtop.org) is a non-profit performing arts organization. 2014 marks our 29th season of culture under canvas on the south shore sands of Lake Superior near Bayfield, Wisconsin. 

Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour variety series showcasing live performances from Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua. It has aired continuously since 1994, is available for free and hosted by best-selling author, humorist and pig farmer, Michael Perry. Tent Show Radio features regional and national acts with regular contributions by the Big Top’s Blue Canvas Orchestra, a vocal and instrumental ensemble consisting of Bruce Bowers, Jack Gunderson, Bruce Burnside, Phillip Anich, Tom Mitchell,  Jane Aleckson and  Andy Dee. with appearances by a variety of other professional musicians from around the region including Warren Nelson, Corey Carlson, MaryLou Williams, Danielle Diamond, Barbar Jean, Tom Draughon and Nori Perine.

Tent Show Radio host Michael Perry is a humorist, singer/songwriter and  Ney York Times best-selling author. His works include Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time, Coop, Truck, the essay collection, Off Main Street and a very recent work, From The Big Top; a collection of Tent Show Radio essays. Perry has written for Esquire, The New York Times Magazine, Outside, Backpacker, Orion and Salon.com, and is a contributing editor to Men’s Health. His essays have been heard on NPR’s All Things Considered and he has performed and produced three live audience recordings (I Got It From the Cows and Never Stand Behind a Sneezing Cow, Live From Big Top). Perry lives in rural Wisconsin, where he remains active as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical responder. He can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com.

Tune in this week as host Michael Perry welcomes two great acts from our neighbors in Duluth, Minnesota = Teague Alexy and Tin Can Gin

In this episode’s monologue – delivered from the backstage dressing room with the one lonely little lightbulb burnin’ – Mike reflects on the privilege of carrying a fire department pager.

Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua (www.bigtop.org) is a non-profit performing arts organization. 2014 marks our 29th season of culture under canvas on the south shore sands of Lake Superior near Bayfield, Wisconsin. 

Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour variety series showcasing live performances from Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua. It has aired continuously since 1994, is available for free and hosted by best-selling author, humorist and pig farmer, Michael Perry. Tent Show Radio features regional and national acts with regular contributions by the Big Top’s Blue Canvas Orchestra, a vocal and instrumental ensemble consisting of Bruce Bowers, Jack Gunderson, Bruce Burnside, Phillip Anich, Tom Mitchell,  Jane Aleckson and  Andy Dee. with appearances by a variety of other professional musicians from around the region including Warren Nelson, Corey Carlson, MaryLou Williams, Danielle Diamond, Barbar Jean, Tom Draughon and Nori Perine.

Tent Show Radio host Michael Perry is a humorist, singer/songwriter and  Ney York Times best-selling author. His works include Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time, Coop, Truck, the essay collection, Off Main Street and a very recent work, From The Big Top; a collection of Tent Show Radio essays. Perry has written for Esquire, The New York Times Magazine, Outside, Backpacker, Orion and Salon.com, and is a contributing editor to Men’s Health. His essays have been heard on NPR’s All Things Considered and he has performed and produced three live audience recordings (I Got It From the Cows and Never Stand Behind a Sneezing Cow, Live From Big Top). Perry lives in rural Wisconsin, where he remains active as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical responder. He can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com.

Tonight on Tent Show Radio host Michael Perry welcomes bluesy guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd.  Mike discusses his diastema and why he is worried his daughter’s orthodontist might be spending all his (Mike’s) money on bubble gum.

Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua (www.bigtop.org) is a non-profit performing arts organization. 2014 marks our 29th season of culture under canvas on the south shore sands of Lake Superior near Bayfield, Wisconsin. 

Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour variety series showcasing live performances from Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua. It has aired continuously since 1994, is available for free and hosted by best-selling author, humorist and pig farmer, Michael Perry. Tent Show Radio features regional and national acts with regular contributions by the Big Top’s Blue Canvas Orchestra, a vocal and instrumental ensemble consisting of Bruce Bowers, Jack Gunderson, Bruce Burnside, Phillip Anich, Tom Mitchell,  Jane Aleckson and  Andy Dee. with appearances by a variety of other professional musicians from around the region including Warren Nelson, Corey Carlson, MaryLou Williams, Danielle Diamond, Barbar Jean, Tom Draughon and Nori Perine.

Tent Show Radio host Michael Perry is a humorist, singer/songwriter and  Ney York Times best-selling author. His works include Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time, Coop, Truck, the essay collection, Off Main Street and a very recent work, From The Big Top; a collection of Tent Show Radio essays. Perry has written for Esquire, The New York Times Magazine, Outside, Backpacker, Orion and Salon.com, and is a contributing editor to Men’s Health. His essays have been heard on NPR’s All Things Considered and he has performed and produced three live audience recordings (I Got It From the Cows and Never Stand Behind a Sneezing Cow, Live From Big Top). Perry lives in rural Wisconsin, where he remains active as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical responder. He can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com.

Tune in this week as host Michael Perry welcomes gypsy jazz international performers The Trouble Notes along with a set by Big Top's very own Blue Canvas Orchestra.

Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua (www.bigtop.org) is a non-profit performing arts organization. 2014 marks our 29th season of culture under canvas on the south shore sands of Lake Superior near Bayfield, Wisconsin. 

Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour variety series showcasing live performances from Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua. It has aired continuously since 1994, is available for free and hosted by best-selling author, humorist and pig farmer, Michael Perry. Tent Show Radio features regional and national acts with regular contributions by the Big Top’s Blue Canvas Orchestra, a vocal and instrumental ensemble consisting of Bruce Bowers, Jack Gunderson, Bruce Burnside, Phillip Anich, Tom Mitchell,  Jane Aleckson and  Andy Dee. with appearances by a variety of other professional musicians from around the region including Warren Nelson, Corey Carlson, MaryLou Williams, Danielle Diamond, Barbar Jean, Tom Draughon and Nori Perine.

Tent Show Radio host Michael Perry is a humorist, singer/songwriter and  Ney York Times best-selling author. His works include Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time, Coop, Truck, the essay collection, Off Main Street and a very recent work, From The Big Top; a collection of Tent Show Radio essays. Perry has written for Esquire, The New York Times Magazine, Outside, Backpacker, Orion and Salon.com, and is a contributing editor to Men’s Health. His essays have been heard on NPR’s All Things Considered and he has performed and produced three live audience recordings (I Got It From the Cows and Never Stand Behind a Sneezing Cow, Live From Big Top). Perry lives in rural Wisconsin, where he remains active as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical responder. He can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com.

After working as a songwriter, in 2001 at the age of 22, Isbell joined the rock band Drive-By Truckers while they toured in support of their album Southern Rock Opera.

Patterson Hood recalled that meeting Isbell was a "life-changing moment in time," — becoming their third guitarist and beginning a songwriting collaboration that was lauded by many as a fertile time for the band.  On April 5, 2007, Isbell announced that he was no longer a member of Drive-By Truckers.  This past summer we were pleased to have Jason Isbell and his electrified band cross the Tent Show stage!

Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour music series showcasing live performances from Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Bayfield Wisconsin.

Airing continuously since 1994, Tent Show Radio is hosted by farmer, humorist, New York Times best-selling author, volunteer firefighter, Michael Perry and features regional and national acts with regular contributions by the Big Top’s Blue Canvas Orchestra.

Michael Perry is a humorist and author of the bestselling memoir Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time, and the essay collection Off Main Street. Perry has written for Esquire, The New York Times Magazine, Outside, Backpacker, Orion and Salon.com, and is a contributing editor to Men’s Health. His essays have been heard on NPR’s All Things Considered and he has performed and produced two live audience recordings (I Got It From the Cows and Never Stand Behind a Sneezing Cow). Perry lives in rural Wisconsin, where he remains active as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical responder. He can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com

In 2014, Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua will celebrate its 29th season under canvas on the south shore sands of Lake Superior near Bayfield, Wisconsin. Big Top Chautauqua is a non-profit performing arts organization. For more information visit www.bigtop.org or www.tentshowradio.org

“I think our music promotes the bridging of all tribes,” Nahko says. “The lyrics and the stories and our energy as a group break down people’s walls. You'll find us in the most unique places on earth because it's real, raw, and honest storytelling about what we've been through and what we believe in. And that's why people connect with it. I think that’s the most important thing you can do with music.” And connect with the people of the Big Top he did that magical evening under the September stars!

Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour music series showcasing live performances from Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Bayfield Wisconsin.

Airing continuously since 1994, Tent Show Radio is hosted by farmer, humorist, New York Times best-selling author, volunteer firefighter, Michael Perry and features regional and national acts with regular contributions by the Big Top’s Blue Canvas Orchestra.

Michael Perry is a humorist and author of the bestselling memoir Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time, and the essay collection Off Main Street. Perry has written for Esquire, The New York Times Magazine, Outside, Backpacker, Orion and Salon.com, and is a contributing editor to Men’s Health. His essays have been heard on NPR’s All Things Considered and he has performed and produced two live audience recordings (I Got It From the Cows and Never Stand Behind a Sneezing Cow). Perry lives in rural Wisconsin, where he remains active as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical responder. He can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com

In 2014, Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua will celebrate its 29th season under canvas on the south shore sands of Lake Superior near Bayfield, Wisconsin. Big Top Chautauqua is a non-profit performing arts organization. For more information visit www.bigtop.org or www.tentshowradio.org

McLean recorded his first album, Tapestry, in 1969 in Berkeley, California, during the student riots. After being rejected 72 times by labels, the album was released by Mediarts. It attracted good reviews but little notice outside the folk community.

McLean's major break came when Mediarts was taken over by United Artists Records thus securing for his second album, American Pie.  American Pie's success made McLean an international star and piqued interest in his first album, which charted more than two years after its initial release.  We are thrilled to have have him on our stage!

Tent Show Radio is a weekly one-hour music series showcasing live performances from Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Bayfield Wisconsin.

Airing continuously since 1994, Tent Show Radio is hosted by farmer, humorist, New York Times best-selling author, volunteer firefighter, Michael Perry and features regional and national acts with regular contributions by the Big Top’s Blue Canvas Orchestra.

Michael Perry is a humorist and author of the bestselling memoir Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time, and the essay collection Off Main Street. Perry has written for Esquire, The New York Times Magazine, Outside, Backpacker, Orion and Salon.com, and is a contributing editor to Men’s Health. His essays have been heard on NPR’s All Things Considered and he has performed and produced two live audience recordings (I Got It From the Cows and Never Stand Behind a Sneezing Cow). Perry lives in rural Wisconsin, where he remains active as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical responder. He can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com

In 2014, Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua will celebrate its 29th season under canvas on the south shore sands of Lake Superior near Bayfield, Wisconsin. Big Top Chautauqua is a non-profit performing arts organization. For more information visit www.bigtop.org or www.tentshowradio.org

Born and raised in Byrdstown, Tennessee Sierra Hull attended Pickett County High School before accepting a Presidential Scholarship to study at the prestigious Berklee School of Music.  Hull began playing the mandolin at the age of eight and put out the album Angel Mountain at age 10. Hull was soon playing jam sessions with other musicians in her family, and by 2001 she was entering local talent contests.  At age 11 she was mentored and befriended by Alison Krauss, herself once a child prodigy on the fiddle.  Hull is now touring in support of her latest release, Day Break.  Her performance at the tent was breathtaking. 

In this episode’s monologue – delivered from the backstage dressing room with the one lonely little lightbulb burnin’ – Mike explains why he is a dumb person with a smart phone. - 

Cory Chisel is an Americana, folk rock songwriter that started in Appleton, Wisconsin.  Often performing with his band the Wandering Sons.  The band was signed to RCA Records subsidiary Black Seal Music in 2007. Black Seal has since ceased to exist and the band remains independent.  The band has performed on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” “Conan” and “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

Chisel and the Wandering Sons toured in support of Norah Jones in 2012. Chisel also helped launch a music festival, Mile of Music, in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he spent several years of his youth. Its first year, 2013, featured Rodney Crowell, Justin Townes Earle and Norah Jones.  We are very pleased to finally allure him to our stage!

In this episode’s monologue – delivered from the backstage dressing room with the one lonely little lightbulb burnin’ – Mike talks about how he both fights and celebrates light pollution on the back forty. 

Having collaborated with one another for two decades, Rusted Root, has honed the perfect combination of musical intuition, freedom and virtuosity, which has allowed them to organically shape shift their music into their own distinct and undeniable vision. With eight albums under their belt, over three million records sold worldwide and countless nights on the road, Rusted Root, transcends age, generations, cultures and musical styles. Their music has been featured in films like Ice Age, Twister and Matilda, TV shows like New Girl, Ally McBeal, Charmed and Chuck as well as recent Enterprise Rent-A-Car commercials.  Please put your hands together as we welcome Rusted Root to the Big Top stage! -

...and in this episode Mike reveals why, when and how to pitch a fit.