Inside MusiCast

Honing her musical skills while growing-up on the East coast, Deborah Holland found her way to Los Angeles in the late ‘70s in an attempt to break into the music business.  A demo of two of her songs landed in the hands of Stewart Copeland and Stanley Clarke, who were searching for a female vocalist to front their new band project, which became Animal Logic.  She got the gig, which was a major stepping stone in propelling her career.  After making two albums with Animal Logic, Deborah has since recorded and released several solo albums, she’s a member of the folk supergroup The Refugees, a film scorer and educator, and in 2020 she released her latest EP titled “Fine, Thank You.”   Recently, two new Animal Logic songs have been released - the first new music from the trio in over three decades.  Here to talk to us about this new music and her career in music is Deborah Holland.  

Shawn Lee and Andy Platts are back with Ticket To Shangri-La, their fourth Young Gun Silver Fox album in the last seven years. Their undeniable, West Coast groove is a prominent ingredient once again, but the addition of some incredible horn arrangements, a heavier lean on the acoustic guitar, and Andy's silky smooth vocal harmonies make for another stellar collection of tunes with the feel-good vibe you've come to expect from this UK-based duo.  Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Shawn Lee and Andy Platts of Young Gun Silver Fox.

In 1980, Scottish born singer-songwriter, Ali Thomson, released his first album on A&M Records titled “Take A Little Rhythm”.  The title track garnered heavy airplay in countries around the world and reached as high as #15 on the Hot 100 in the USA.  He then went on to record a second album for A&M the following year titled “Deception Is In Art.”  While the pop scene delivered success for Thomson, his sights were set on creating music that contained more depth and musicality.  Ali continued writing songs for a variety of musicians over the years, but a few decades later he returned to writing songs for himself and released “Songs From The Playroom” in 2019 that featured a track titled “Aqua Blue”.  During the Covid pandemic, he went back to work creating yet another new album titled “The Last Rodeo” which was released in September.  Here to talk to us today about his career and this incredible new album release is Ali Thomson.  

In 2013, the world of contemporary jazz welcomed a newcomer who released her debut, self-titled album, Lindsey Webster.  Since then, Lindsey’s roots have continued to grow as she’s released a total of six albums, with her latest album, “Reasons”, dropping in early September.  In fact, the first single from the new album, “I Didn’t Mean It”, features Brian Culbertson and hit the Top 10 on the Billboard jazz chart.  Success is no stranger to Lindsey, as she and her writing partner, Keith Slattery, have produced two number one and eight top tens on the Billboard charts.  In fact, in 2016 Webster became the first vocalist to hit #1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz charts since Sade. On “Reasons”, Lindsey invites an incredible cast of guest performers, including Nathan East, Randy Brecker, Brian Culbertson, Lenny Castro, Nicholas Payton, Kev Choice, and Lil John Roberts.  While there’s no shortage of talent with her supporting cast, Lindsey’s vocals are undeniable and the star of the show.  Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Lindsey Webster.

For decades, David Paich has been an icon in the LA music scene, having composed, arranged, written, produced, and performed on hit songs for some of the biggest artists in the music business. Then there’s his legendary band, Toto, which he’s poured his heart and soul into for the past 45 years. Despite this incredible resumé, he’s never released a solo project, until now. David’s debut solo album, “Forgotten Toys”, is set to release on Friday, August 19. With contributions from his Toto bandmates, Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams, the EP contains seven tracks and enlists an incredible cast of musicians, friends, and even family that make this a memorable musical experience. Here to talk to us about this brand new collection of songs is our good friend, David Paich.

Don Breithaupt is back with a brand new Monkey House album titled “Remember The Audio” - an 11 track project that was conceived during the pandemic and arguably their finest collection of songs in the Monkey House canon.  The core of the band remains steady, with Breithaupt on lead vocals and keyboards, Mark Kelso on drums, Pat Kilbride on bass, and Justin Abedin on guitar.  The album also contains guest appearances, including trumpeters Randy Brecker, Guido Basso and Michael Leonhart, guitarist Drew Zingg, and singers Lucy Woodward and David Blamires. "Remember The Audio" is set to release on July 15 on Alma Records and we’re pleased to have Don back for a fourth time and to talk about this fantastic new record. Inside MusiCast is please to welcome Don Breithaupt.

Jim Keltner’s career in music has been nothing short of iconic. For those who go deep into discographies and liner notes, you know that the name Keltner is associated with a litany of some of the biggest names in the world of music, including George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Joe Cocker, Carly Simon, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, Seals & Crofts, Randy Newman, The Bee Gees, The Traveling Wilburys, Brian Wilson and so many more. From his early beginnings with Gary Lewis and the Playboys, to the Concert for Bangladesh, to Steely Dan’s “Josie” and so much more, we’re here to talk to a musician who’s seen it all and played it all. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Jim Keltner.

It’s been nine years since we last spoke to Marilyn Scott, so we’re pleased to have her back today to talk about her brand new album, “The Landscape”, which was recently released on Blue Canoe Records - her first album release since 2016’s “Standard Blue”.  The seven-track project focuses on putting yourself in front of nature, embracing our surroundings, and letting go.  Marilyn enlists an incredible group of musicians, including Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante, Gary Novak, Vinnie Colaiuta, Alex Acuna, Mike Landau, Steve Khan, and many others.  It’s a beautiful album, both lyrically and musically, and was created and produced during the pandemic.  Here to talk to us about this new album is none-other than Marilyn Scott.

Steve Dorff never wanted the spotlight. As a young musician and budding songwriter, he had his sights set on writing great songs for the most prominent voices in popular music - and he did just that. Early on, his songs landed in the hands and voices of several country and Western artists, which seemed like an unusual pairing considering that Steve grew-up in New York City. In fact, the first top ten song he wrote was for the legendary Roy Rogers with a tune called “Hoppy Gene and Me.” From there, a chance meeting with actor Clint Eastwood not only brought him additional songwriting hits, but it was also his foray into scoring for films and eventually television. Throughout his career, Steve has written over 20 top ten hits for pop and country artists, including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Blake Shelton, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Ray Charles, Anne Murray, Whitney Houston, George Strait, Dolly Parton, Judy Collins, Cher, Dusty Springfield, Ringo Starr, and Garth Brooks. Here to talk to us about his incredible, musical journey is Steve Dorff.

After a short break, Inside MusiCast is back with this brand new episode featuring Canadian singer/songwriter, Chris Smith. Chris’ career in music started to take off in the ‘80s when he left Humber College to join a band called The Graduates, an original R&B, pop band made up of other Humber non-grads that played the clubs on the Ontario circuit. From there, he became a member of Regatta, a late '80s AOR band who garnered success, but broke-up after a few years.  Chris then turned his attention to his solo career, where he has released four albums since 1995 and is currently working on new material for a forthcoming release.  His music is a blend of jazz, blues, rock, and soul and has a sound that is timeless.  Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Chris Smith.

From his early days as a recording engineer and producer, to his involvement with legendary acts such as Buffalo Springfield, Poco, and Kenny Loggins - not to mention his collection of solo work - Jim Messina has carved a stellar reputation for himself in the music industry as an artist who can do it all. And he hasn’t stopped. He’s back on the road for an extensive solo tour this Spring and will reunite with Kenny Loggins this summer in Los Angeles for a handful of shows. Today, we’ll take a trip through his storied career, relive some of moments that catapulted him into the music business, and find out where he’s headed next. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Jim Messina.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we welcome a legendary, Grammy-winning jazz artist who has been creating music since the early ‘60s when he recorded an album produced by Quincy Jones. Bob James has recorded 60 albums in 60 years, which includes his involvement as a founding member of the band Fourplay and is widely known for composing “Angela”, the theme song for the hit TV show Taxi. While jazz is his forté, his genre-bending sound has often been sampled by major hip-hop artists. It’s no surprise, as his music has grooves and hooks that appeal to all. We’re so glad to welcome Bob James to Inside MusiCast.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we welcome a three time Grammy-nominated jazz artist who’s recorded 40 albums throughout his career, David Benoit. David has enjoyed a solid presence in the jazz scene ever since his debut album on Blue Moon records in 1977. During his career, he’s worked with Russ Freeman of the Rippingtons and has also arranged and performed for artists such as Michael Franks, Kenny Loggins, David Pack, Dave Koz, Patti Austin, Brian Bromberg, and David Sanborn among others. Today we’ll chat with David about his amazing career, along with his new solo album, A Midnight Rendezvous, that was released on February 18 on Shanachie Records. He’s got some great contributors and has even recorded with his new band – The Midnight Rendezvous Big Band. Inside MusiCast welcomes David Benoit.

The past few years have presented some life altering challenges for Simon Phillips.  In late 2017, fires that ravaged Southern California destroyed his home and his recording studio.  Two years later, the COVID-19 pandemic took Simon off the road from a busy touring schedule leaving him with questions about the immediate future.  Yet, Simon’s resiliency persevered. The pandemic afforded him new opportunities, along with plenty of time to explore his own creativity.  He forged ahead with a new plan for recording his projects, including the newly released Protocol V album that features bandmates Ernest Tibbs and Otmaro Ruiz, along with two new additions: Jacob Scesney on sax and Alex Sill on guitars.  The Protocol band has emerged as a quintet and sounds better than ever.  Here to chat with us about this incredible new album is Simon Phillips.

Steve Vai is arguably one of the finest rock guitarists on the planet. His inventive approach to the instrument has afforded him some incredible opportunities over the past 40 years and today we’ll explore some of them, including the importance of meeting and working with Frank Zappa. We’ll also discuss his upcoming album release titled "Inviolate", which is set to drop this Friday, January 28. This is Vai's tenth solo album and quite possibly his most musically diverse collection of compositions. Yet, when you lay your ears on this record you'll hear Vai's classic signature from start to finish, especially when you experience the track "Teeth Of The Hydra", which was recorded with a very unique guitar that he named 'Hydra' that was built through a collaboration with designers at Hoshino. We’ll discuss this and so much more on this episode of Inside MusiCast.

After a two month break, Inside MusiCast is kickin’ off the new year with a new artist whose debut album was a 2021 Inside MusiCast Album Of The Year selection, Anastasia Lynne! During the last week in December, the Inside MusiCast team each chose an Album Of The Year - 11 great albums that were released in 2021 that really pushed our buttons. When IMC Correspondent Scott Gross chose Anastasia Lynne’s album, “Girl With The Hourglass Eyes”, it sparked a lot of interest with our team and our listeners. We were struck by her incredible voice and the lush vocal harmonies, not to mention the stellar musicianship and the well-crafted arrangements of her songs. We then discovered that the album was co-produced by Ken Stacey and Doug Petty, so we knew Anastasia had put herself into great hands and ears that resulted in a stellar debut album. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Anastasia Lynne.

Burleigh Drummond and Mary Harris have shared the stage, a family, as well as a home for decades.  While Burleigh is a founding member of the progressive and pop band Ambrosia, his wife, Mary, has been performing alongside him in the band for over 20 years.  The two are also involved in another musical entity called Tin Drum, an ever-evolving project which formed in the ‘90s and now incorporates their children, their grandchildren, and other noteworthy musicians including guitarist Marc Bonilla.  Here to talk to us about their expansive careers are Mary Harris and Burleigh Drummond.

In a career that’s spanned more than 50 years, Larry Carlton has been involved with thousands of projects that span a wide variety of musical styles.  From solo projects, to countless studio sessions with some of the biggest names in the music industry, to performing on one of the most popular television theme songs, Larry’s work has garnered multiple Grammy awards and worldwide notoriety for his unique sound and his immense talent.  He earned the name “Mr. 335”, as for decades Larry’s guitar of choice was a 1969 Gibson ES-335.  He’s now teamed-up with Sire to create his own, signature guitar - the Larry Carlton S7, which he plays exclusively on his brand new album from Shanachie Records titled “Soul Searchin’”, a duo with fellow guitarist Paul Brown.  Here to talk to us about this brand new record and so much more is Larry Carlton. 

Dash Crofts and his longtime musical partner, Jimmy Seals, both grew-up in Texas and started performing together in the late 1950’s. Before they struck out on their own as the legendary duo Seals and Crofts, Dash and Jimmy performed with several bands and musicians, including Dean Beard and the Crew Cats, The Champs, Eddie Cochran, Glen Campbell and the GC’s, and The Dawnbreakers. Through their connection with The Dawnbreakers, the two found the Baháʼí faith, which ultimately influenced the lyrical creativity in their songs.  The duo formed Seals and Crofts in 1969 and landed their first record deal with Talent Associates, but it wasn’t until their second album with Warner Brother in 1972 did they find their way to a major hit with Summer Breeze.  From that point forward, Seals and Crofts sold millions of albums and is considered one of the most successful duos of the 1970’s.  Here to chat more about this incredible, musical journey is Dash Crofts. 

When he was young, James Raymond knew he had a special gift for music, yet he somehow felt that this natural ability stemmed beyond what his adoptive parents and his education seemed to provide.  At the age of 30, he began the arduous task of finding his birth parents.  When he secured his birth certificate, the name David Crosby appeared.  When James finally had a chance to meet his legendary birth father, the two of them hit it off and almost immediately started making music together, including the two, incredible CPR albums from the late 90's and early 2000's that also featured guitarist Jeff Pevar.  Aside from his integral work with Crosby, James has also carved out a niche with writing, composing, and producing music for television and film, along with a collection of his own songs. His latest project found him back in the studio with David Crosby, as he produced his latest album "For Free." He wrote and co-wrote several tracks with guests Michael McDonald and Donald Fagen, contributed backing vocals, arranged horns, and played several instruments including piano, synths, and programmed drums. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome James Raymond.

Luis Conte is one of the most heralded percussionists in the music industry, but had it not been for the encouragement of his parents and a three week window of time, his massive career performing for and touring with some of the biggest artists may never have happened.  A few weeks before he turned 15 years old, his father encouraged him to leave his home country of Communist Cuba before he became eligible for the military.  Luis made his way to Spain, alone, and later found his way to the United States and settled in Los Angeles where his music career eventually flourished.  Throughout his career, he’s recorded and toured with the likes of James Taylor, Phil Collins, Jackson Browne, Dave Matthews, Madonna, Pat Metheney, Ray Charles, Cher, Eric Clapton, Celine Dion, and so many more.  He’s also released many solo projects over the years, has written a book, and is an educator.  Here to talk to us about his incredible career in music is the maestro himself, Luis Conte. 

Hailing from San Francisco and finding his musical roots in Texas, Mark Lettieri is no stranger to diversity when it comes to how he approaches the guitar. Throughout his career, he’s released six solo albums, has been involved in countless recording sessions, and has toured with many well-known music acts. Since 2008, Lettieri has been involved with Grammy-winning Snarky Puppy and is also a member of The Fearless Flyers with Cory Wong, Joe Dart and Nate Smith. All of these experiences have helped to expand his musical diversity - including rock, pop, funk, soul, gospel, jazz, and even various styles of country. His new album, “Deep: The Baritone Sessions, Volume 2”, continues this exploration and includes a fusion of a variety of styles. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Mark Lettieri.

For the last 25 years, a veteran songwriter’s album has been sitting on a shelf, waiting to see the light of day. Throughout Terry Sampson’s career in the music industry, the songs he’s written have been performed by Al Jarreau, Kenny Rogers, Carl Anderson, Nicolette Larson, Cece Winans, Vanessa Williams, and Kathy Lee Gifford, to name a few - not to mention an extensive collection of songs he’s written for children’s movies and television shows. Yet, his first solo album project titled “E, Just E” recorded 25 years ago sat dormant - until now - when Jörgen Johanson and Mikael Engström helped Terry breathe life into the album by getting a record deal to release it in Japan on P-Vine Records. Here to talk more about this incredible story, as well as the rest of his music career is Terry Sampson.

At some point you’ve heard Arnold McCuller’s rich, distinctive vocals. Perhaps as a long-time, featured vocalist with James Taylor, Phil Collins or for a number of A-list musicians. Once you’ve heard his voice, you know why many well-respected musicians still call on him today. But other than owning a golden voice, Arnold has also entertained a rather successful acting career in film and television. His singing career began with a national tour of the musical Hair. After singing in a few bands, he released his first solo album, including a series of singles in 1979. Since 1990, Arnold has released seven studio and two live solo projects that stylistically range from jazz to Latin-pop, to blues. It’s easy to see Arnold’s diversity, and he’s been busy, having collaborated with artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Dave Koz, David Benoit, and many more. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Arnold McCuller.

Born in Scotland and raised in Canada, Lawrence Gowan carved a path to a very successful solo career, having released six albums and selling millions of records and collecting two Juno awards over a 13 year span.  However, in 1997 his musical path took a turn when he had a chance to open for Styx in Montreal.  Tommy Shaw took notice of Gowan’s talent and charismatic stage performance and invited him to join the band two years later.  Fast forward 21 years, Gowan has become an integral part of this legendary band and on June 18 they’ll release their 17th studio album, “Crash Of The Crown.”  Here to talk to us about this new album project is Styx lead vocalist, Lawrence Gowan. 

We first spoke to Coen Molenaar back in 2015 when his band Tristan  released “2nd Phase”, and again in 2019 when they released “The Spice of Five”. This past year, Tristan faced a challenge in finding a new lead vocalist, after Evelyn Kallansee exited the band.  Enter Jaycilee Teterissa, a vibrant and talented vocalist whose style fits Tristan’s vibe perfectly and this past April they released their new album titled “What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”.  Along with Jaycilee, Coen and the other band members are heading in the right direction with this wonderful new album. Inside MusiCast is glad to welcome Coen Molenaar and Jaycilee Teterissa.

In 2005, Laurence Elder released his debut album “Surrounded” that incorporated a unique blend of jazz, pop, and a touch of blues.  Nearly 16 years later, he returns with his forthcoming album titled “Walk Another Mile”, which will be released on May 19.  This new album features many of the same musicians from his debut album, including Carlomagno Araya and the late Dan Warner.  Laurence also involved two special guests: guitarist Mike Stern and trumpet legend Randy Brecker.  The old adage “Good things come to those who wait” holds true, because while fans of Laurence Elder have waited a long time to hear new music from him, there’s no doubt they’ll be extremely pleased with these new compositions. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Laurence Elder.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we welcome a second-generation guitar player who just happens to be a multi-Grammy-winning songwriter and producer.  Nashville-based Gordon Kennedy is literally following in his father’s footsteps, and the similarities of their accomplishments are astounding. He co-wrote "Change The World" for Eric Clapton, which won "Song of the Year” at the 1997 Grammy Awards. He has written and produced for artists such as Peter Frampton, Alison Krauss, Bonnie Raitt, Garth Brooks, Ricky Skaggs, Don Henley, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and many more. His guitar playing is second to none -  just ask Peter Frampton.  We’re glad to welcome an ever present icon in the Nashville scene, Gordon Kennedy. 

Martin Page had a tough career choice to make. As a semi-pro football player, he could choose soccer and try his luck at the professional level, or as a talented musician with a budding career, he could choose the musical path. Of course, he chose music and he gave it his all. It was a great decision, as a song he wrote and produced with his Q-Feel partner Brian Fairweather called “Dancing In Heaven” became an underground hit on KROQ radio in Los Angeles . This success prompted his move from London to Los Angeles, which opened the door to connections with many of his musical heroes, including Bernie Taupin, Maurice White and so many others. While Martin’s passion for soccer has never waned, music is still his first love and the career choice we’re all glad he chose to follow. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Martin Page.

You seldom catch Marcus Miller without his signature fedora hat. He wears them at every gig and on every stage. But, the symbolism is telling, as his long career has also allowed him to wear many musical hats – not only as a premier, first-call bassist, but also as a producer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, film and jazz composer, and even as a bass clarinet player. Throughout his illustrious career, Miller has played and shared the stage with greats such as Miles Davis, David Sanborn, Eric Clapton, Herbie Hancock, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Bob James, Joe Sample, Grover Washington, Donald Fagen and many others who are at the top of the music chain. We’re glad to finally welcome Marcus Miller to Inside MusiCast.

For the past 15 years, we’ve been fortunate to have Steve Lukather as a recurring guest on Inside MusiCast.  And today, he’s back to talk to us about his brand new solo album dropping this Friday, February 26 titled “I Found The Sun Again”.We’re also pleased to welcome Joseph Williams, who’s joining us for the first time, to discuss his new solo project, “Denizen Tenant”, which also drops this Friday - with both records being released on the Mascot Records label.Not only do Luke and Joe contribute to each other’s new solo records, but they’ve enlisted some incredible musicians - including a heavy dose of Toto founding member, David Paich.  And speaking of Toto, we’ll also include some conversation about the newly resurrected version of the band and their “Dogz Of Oz” tour that’s slated to begin later this year.Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Joseph Williams and Steve Lukather.

With over 20 albums under his belt, saxophonist Richard Elliot has delivered jazz music that has landed on Billboard’s Smooth Jazz charts over the past four decades. Early on, he played with Tower of Power and even the Yellowjackets, but it’s been five years since he’s released any fresh, personal work. With his new album, "Authentic Life" on Shanachie Records, we find Richard collaborating with some old friends and past Inside MusiCast guests, including Jeff Lorber, Philippe Saisse, and Rick Braun. And they’ve delivered a body of work that will impress you. We're glad to welcome Richard Elliot to Inside MusiCast.

The heart of Russell Ferrante’s career has been spent as keyboardist for the legendary jazz group, Yellowjackets.  In fact, he’s the only member who’s been in the group since its inception in 1980.  Outside of his Yellowjackets tenure, Ferrante has also recorded and toured with an incredible array of artists, including Lee Ritenour, Joni Mitchell, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, George Michael, Take 6, Michael Franks, Dave Grusin, and many more.  However, throughout his lengthy and successful career, Ferrante had yet to release an album containing his own material - until now - as he’s teamed-up with bassist Michael Valerio and drummer Steve Schaeffer to create the Russell Ferrante Trio and the new album “Inflexion”, which is available now on Blue Canoe Records.  The 11 track album contains a mix of originals, covers, and a couple of new arrangements of Yellowjackets tunes.  Here to chat with us today about this beautiful new album is Russell Ferrante.  

2020 was a difficult year for everyone, but for Christopher Cross it was life changing. Chris caught the COVID-19 virus early and it progressed into an even more challenging scenario when he was diagnosed with Guillain Barré Syndrome. He spent a good portion of the year regaining the strength and ability to get back on his feet. However, this didn’t stop him from moving forward with finishing a beautiful package of his life’s work - a brand new box set titled “The Complete Works”, which he’s proud to offer to his biggest fans. Here to kick off 2021 and discuss the events that unfolded over the course of this past year, including his brand new box set, is none other than Christopher Cross.

As one of the most influential drummers of all time, Steve Gadd set a new standard in contemporary drumming techniques and performance, and for years everyone has tried to play like him. His work is unavoidably recognizable, from the military, cadence-like shuffle intro on Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”, to arguably one of the finest drum solos ever recorded on the title track from Steely Dan’s “Aja”, to his current touring gigs with James Taylor and Eric Clapton – Steve has a way of leaving his rhythmic stamp on most every track that he’s performed on over the past five decades. It’s good to know the native New Yorker is healthy and still going strong...and he’s here today to chat with us. Inside MusicCast is pleased to welcome the legendary Steve Gadd.

During the explosion of the British invasion in the 60’s, a 16 year-old boy from Manchester became the lead singer of the band Herman's Hermits and found himself in the middle of all the musical madness. Imagine traveling with your bandmates from gig to gig, performing with bands such as the Stones and the Beatles. Or having The Who warm-up for your band. Peter Noone lived it and his band, Herman’s Hermits, was making hit after hit. In fact, during the height of the band's career they played 360 shows in a single year and finished making a movie. We could go on, but we’d rather have Peter Noone tell you how it all really happened almost 50 years ago. Inside MusiCast welcomes Herman of Herman’s Hermits, Peter Noone.

David Foster was drawn to the piano. In fact, as the story goes, his mother was dusting off the family piano and struck one of the keys.  She was amazed when her young son correctly identified the note as an “E”. She quickly found that David had perfect pitch and they knew immediately that there was something special about their son and that the piano would play an important role in his life. This is where the musical legacy begins. Over the past several decades, David Foster has raised the bar of musicianship, arranging and producing in astronomical ways – and he has the hardware to prove it. David has been the guiding force behind dozens of hit songs for the biggest names in popular music.  He’s won 16 Grammy Awards, including three for Producer Of The Year, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, and has racked up three Oscar nominations.  It’s been a long time coming, but we’re pleased to finally welcome David Foster to Inside MusiCast.

Three years after Tomi Malm’s critically acclaimed debut "Walkin' On Air", the talented Finnish songwriter, producer, and arranger returns with another great project titled “Coming Home” on the Contante and Sonante label. This new collaboration is loaded with some of the best in the business and features solid vocal performances from Bill Cantos, Marilyn Scott, Randy Goodrum, Jerry Lopez, Ole Børud, Andreas Aleman, Frank Ådahl, Ashton Moran, Michael Haddad, Wendy Moten and the late, great Warren Wiebe. The session players include Steve Lukather, Vinnie Colaiuta, Alex Acuña, Simon Phillips, Jimmy Haslip, Luis Conte, John “JR” Robinson, Neil Stubenhaus, Robbie Buchanan, Eric Marienthal and Brandon Fields, among others. In addition to Tomi, we’re also joined by the founder of the Contante and Sonante label, Gabriel Raya, to talk about Tomi’s new project and to share his insights about his unique record label. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Tomi Malm and Gabriel Raya.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we welcome back the one and only, Bill Champlin. While the pandemic has put the brakes on much of the activity in the music industry, it hasn’t stopped the creativity of this legendary singer/songwriter. Bill has produced a brand new solo album titled “Livin’ For Love”, which is loaded with 14 new tracks that explore a lot of musical territory, from gorgeous ballads, to West Coast grooves, blues, pop, funk...it’s all in there. Bill has also invited some amazing guests, including Steve Porcaro, Vinnie Colaiuta, Lenny Castro, Alan Hertz, Gary Falcone, Bruce Gaitsch, Carmen Grillo, Gorden Campbell, George Hawkins, Jr., Jason Scheff, Greg Mathieson, Abe Laboriel, Marc Russo, and of course his wife Tamara and son Will. We’ll also chat with Bill about the new CWF 2 album that was recently released, with his bandmates Peter Friestedt and Joseph Williams. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome back to the show, Bill Champlin.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we welcome journalist and author Robyn Flans to discuss her soon-to-be-released book titled "It’s About Time: Jeff Porcaro – The Man and His Music", which is being released through Hudson Music. This in-depth book provides insight into Jeff’s career in music. Starting with his childhood and formative years, the book recounts his establishment on the L.A. scene, rise to stardom with Toto, and legendary career as one of the most sought-after studio drummers in the world until his tragic death in 1992 at only 38 years of age. If you're a fan of Jeff Porcaro, you'll really love this chat with Robyn, who was as close a journalist to Jeff than any other. For the past five years, she took on the challenge of unearthing some treasures about Jeff that might even surprise his biggest fans. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Robyn Flans.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we’re pleased to welcome two Grammy winning musicians that have joined forces to create a brand new album titled “Double Dealin’”, which will be released on Shanachie Records in mid September - Randy Brecker and Eric Marienthal. Both Eric and Randy have storied careers in the world of jazz. Randy is notorious for his work with the likes of Blood, Sweat & Tears, Horace Silver, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Steely Dan, Bruce Springsteen, Parliament-Funkadelic and of course the Brecker Brothers with his brother Michael. Eric’s saxophone talent has led him to amazing gigs with Chick Corea, Patti Austin, Lee Ritenour, Elton John, Billy Joel, Jeff Lorber, Stevie Wonder and many more. Randy and Eric are good friends and they’ve performed together on many occasions. However, this is their first album collaboration and it’s filled with upbeat grooves and fantastic performances. Produced by George Whitty, the album also includes Dave Weckl on drums, John Patitucci on bass, and George on keys. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Eric Marienthal and Randy Brecker.

Rock, pop, fusion, jazz, Latin, soul, funk, Flamenco. These are just a few of the styles of drumming Joey Heredia has mastered over the course of his career. Like most of the musicians we interview, music was in Joey’s blood from a very early age, as he started playing in bands when he was 16 years old and never looked back. He became a sought-after studio and touring musician and has performed with many incredible musicians, including Billy Childs, Stevie Wonder, Sheila E., Michael Ruff, Sergio Mendes, Herb Alpert, Tania Maria, Scott Henderson, Steve Lukather, Dianne Reeves, Frank Gambale, and many more. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Joey Heredia.

Randy Goodrum is at it again. Making great music, that is. The singer/songwriter/instrumentalist/producer has just released RED EYE, his first original solo album in decades, and we’ve found that it was worth the wait. He co-wrote the album with veteran session musician Larry Williams, along with Douglas Carr, and they struck gold. If you’ve heard RED EYE, you know that Goodrum is on point, delivering “his” style of music and on his terms by collaborating with some of the best session players in the business, including Michael Landau, Vinnie Colaiuta, Marcus Miller, Gavin Harrison, Brian Bromberg, and others. The album contains 12 tracks and they're all brilliantly different, catchy, well-written and excellently produced. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome back to the show, Randy Goodrum.

Eliot Lewis is a musician who can do it all. The multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter has enjoyed a diverse and vibrant path in the music business and has worked with an elite cast of musicians. Eliot’s career has taken him from being a studio musician, to becoming a member of the Average White Band, to his eventual touring gig with Hall & Oates, as well as being a regular on Live From Daryl's House. He’s also delivered several solo albums and tours nationally in support of these projects. Aside from music, Eliot is a passionate photographer and has chronicled his travels as a touring musician through the lens of his camera. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Eliot Lewis.

From his early beginnings in the band Beatnik Beatch, followed by the success and cult following with his power-pop band Jellyfish in the early 90’s, Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. continues to explore and create music that contains musical excellence and well-crafted lyrics. The past three decades have been filled with a variety of projects for Roger, from Imperial Drag, to TV Eyes, to several solo and collaborative album projects - not to mention lending his talents to artists like Beck, Jay-Z, Blink 182, and the legendary Johnny Cash. Manning’s latest project reunites two of his past Jellyfish bandmates to form The Lickerish Quartet. The power-pop trio has just released their first, four song EP titled “Threesome Vol. 1”, which was released on May 15 and carries on the incredible musicianship and songwriting vibe that Jellyfish fans have grown accustomed to. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Roger Joseph Manning, Jr.

Todd Sucherman was destined to become a professional musician and his prowess behind the drum kit has already led him to a 45 year start. From his early days gigging in Chicago, to laying down tracks for jingles and scores, to landing the drumming chair with legendary rock band Styx, Todd has been one the busiest and most in-demand drummers in the business. But recently he’s taken another leap of faith to take on a challenge he wasn’t sure he could accomplish - to write, produce and record his first solo album. On May 2, this challenge became a reality when he released “Last Flight Home”, a ten track album featuring Todd not only behind the drum kit, but behind the mic and taking on lead vocal duties. Here to talk to us more about his career and this excellent new album is Todd Sucherman.

If one word can best describe Claudia Campagnol’s life and music, it would be fusion. Her gypsy spirit has taken her from Hungary, to Sweden, to Copenhagen, with many other travels and experiences that have shaped her musical upbringing. The Copenhagen-based musician, singer, and composer was baptized into jazz, R&B, soul, pop and groove at a very early age, heavily influenced by her parents. Even a chance encounter with Stevie Wonder played a big role in influencing and encouraging her musical journey. She's a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who has delivered a mature sound on her debut album “I'm Strong”, which was released in 2019 on Giant Sheep Music. Here to talk to us about this incredible album, along with more about her musical path, is Claudia Campagnol.

It’s no secret that Abraham Laboriel has been on our bucket list for a long time, but we’ve always known that he doesn’t give many interviews. Abe tends to let his music do the talking and he purposefully stays “off the grid” and avoids the spotlight.  But thanks to the help of our New Jersey Correspondent, Yinka Oyelese, we’ve secured this exclusive chat with one of the most coveted and recorded bassists in modern music history. For over 48 years, Abe has captivated our musical senses with his intuitive and masterful control of rhythm through his bass playing. He’s worked with Fagen, Carlton, Jarreau, Mancini, Grusin, Rit, Q, Herbie, Felder, Summers, Streisand, Cobham, Elton, and on and on. He’s walked hand-in-hand with his good friend called music since he was a young boy, and he's shared his gift with us all over the past several decades. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Abraham Laboriel, Sr.

From his early beginnings as an assistant with Phil Ramone, to his foray into recording and mixing sessions for Steely Dan, Toto, Jimmy Buffet, Bruce Hornsby, the Eagles, the Foo Fighters and many others, to becoming a pioneer in the world of surround mixing, Elliot Scheiner is without question one of the elite producers, recording engineers, and mixers to ever set foot in a studio. He has recently been involved with the remastering process of Toto’s “All In” CD box set, as well as projects with Trey Anastasio and Phish. With nearly five decades under his belt and thousands of projects to his credit, Elliot’s passion for his craft is stronger than ever and he shows no signs of slowing down. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Elliot Scheiner.

Singer/songwriter Quint Starkie’s musical journey has taken him from the UK where he grew-up, to L.A., to Stockholm, Sweden. His career has enveloped a variety of opportunities that have stretched his talents, including work as a session musician, composer, producer, and a live performer. Quint has also been heavily involved in writing countless jingles and theme music for some of the industry’s biggest brands such as McDonald’s, Toyota, Diners Club, American Express, SAS, Coca Cola and Heineken. However, songwriting is a passion for Quint and in 2016 he released his first solo album titled “Ghost In My Heart”, a 14-track autobiographical collection of songs that displays his adept songwriting and vocal talents. We met Quint for the first time last month in Stockholm for the Pages tribute concert and in watching him perform, we knew we needed to have him on the show. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Quint Starkie.