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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.

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  2. Good Morning Bedlam and Gareth Pearson

Good Morning Bedlam and Gareth Pearson

May 24, 2024

On this episode of Tent Show Radio, Midwest folk group Good Morning Bedlam showcases their exciting sound & soaring three-part harmonies, then, acoustic musician Gareth Pearson, known for his distinctive fingerstyle techniques, captivates with his creative and innovative arrangements.

Good Morning Bedlam has become an innovative force in the Midwest folk scene. Their shows are known for their contagious energy, with members careening about the stage. With tight soaring three-part harmonies, and thumping kick-drum, they captivate their audience night after night. Every song is a unique twist on what is generally dubbed as folk music. In 2019, the folk-rock band from Minneapolis, MN claimed the first-place title at the John Hartford Memorial Festival Band Competition and were finalists at the NWSS Band Competition. Their shows are known for their wild energy and stunning harmonies. They have played at festivals alongside artists such as Shakey Graves, Sam Bush, Jason Isbell, The Infamous Stringdusters, Trampled By Turtles and others. In 2021, the band ran a successful Kickstarter in July of 2021 for their much anticipated third full-length record ‘Lulu’ where fans from around the world pledged a total of $34,000. Good Morning Bedlam has been featured on Bluegrass Today, Relix Magazine, Glide Magazine, and Paste Magazine. Now in 2023 the band is gearing up to release a brand-new EP titled Dear Day, Dear Darling in the Fall of this year.


Referred to as "The Welsh Tornado," Gareth Pearson has emerged as one of the most exciting acoustic musicians of his generation. His distinctive style can be heard through his creative and innovative arrangements which cover a wide spectrum of genres including country/folk/classical/pop/rock/jazz/swing and bluegrass music, along with his own beautiful and often intricate original compositions, which serve in showcasing an enthusiasm and musical intuition well beyond his years. Influenced by guitar greats like Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Tommy Emmanuel and Merle Travis, Gareth Pearson strays from the traditional style of the seated and motionless acoustic performances. An extremely entertaining and inspiring performer, Pearson exhibits immense love for the music he performs while he combines fingerstyle pyrotechnics, with explosive lead runs as his exuberant style denotes a mastery of the instrument very few possess.

 

 

EPISODE CREDITS
Michael Perry - Host
Phillip Anich - Announcer
Matt Jugeinhemer - Engineer
Gina Nagro - Marketing Support

 

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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/