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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.

Dec 8, 2015

Join us for our traditional closing night of the summer season. Old Last Night is a variety show featuring music from our beloved house band the Blue Canvas Orchestra with commentary by our host and special guest Michael Perry.  Michael is the host of Tent Show Radio and author of several humorous and heartwarming...


Dec 8, 2015

Cape Breton Natalie MacMaster has received a number of Canadian music awards, including several "Artist of the Year" awards from the East Coast Music Association, two Juno Awards for best instrumental album, and "Fiddler of the Year" from the Canadian Country Music Association. MacMaster was also awarded an honorary...


Nov 30, 2015

Long before they combined their voices, the three members of the Lone Bellow were singing on their own. Brian had been writing and recording as a solo artist for more than a decade, with three albums under his own name. Kanene and her husband Jason were living in Beijing, China, hosting open mic nights, playing at local...


Nov 30, 2015

Come sail the Great Lakes and the 7 Seas with Big Top Chautauqua’s Blue Canvas Orchestra. Shanties & Shipwrecks draws on the bountiful collection of sea shanties, sailing songs and rowdy sailors-in-port songs that have come down through time from those that roamed the great waters aboard vessels of wood with...


Nov 30, 2015

This week on Tent Show Radio Dave McGraw and Many Fer light up the stage with an opening set followed by - Jeff Daniels - an American actor, musician, and playwright. He founded a nonprofit theater company, the Purple Rose Theatre Company, in Chelsea, Michigan. He has performed in a number of stage productions, both on...