EricCast 95.7 BIG FM (WRIT-FM)

Ruben Studdard won the second season of American Idol. Clay Aiken was runner-up. Thus began two major music careers and a friendship that became akin to family. Now, in 2023, the two Idols are going on tour together. In this episode, we talk about how friends were the only reason they tried out for Idol, how music, technology, and social media has changed the landscape, which older artists they've gained appreciation for and which new ones they have their eye on, and more reflections on 20 years entertaining people - and what they have planned for their shows.

Country music star Kathy Mattea broke out in 1986; she has seen and experienced many changes in the music industry since as she continues to tour. We spoke with her about the community spirit for artists, how you can now cut and distribute a hit record using your phone, her experiences in the Midwest (including her bus getting boarded by Oprah's show) and how she lost her voice for a time and was able to regain it - with a little help from Tony Bennett and some coaches. Our conversation precedes a particular concert date in a high school auditorium in Wisconsin - weeks before she woulf perform at the Grand Ole Opry. We were interviewing her on WLKG-FM's Good Morning Show from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and here is the full conversation.

Foreigner burst onto the scene in 1977 and immediately impacted the rock world. Bassist Rick Wills joined the group in 1979 for the "Head Games" album and has been with them on and off ever since. Still touring with Foreigner, I sit down with Rick for 15 minutes to discuss his origins with David Gilmour and Peter Frampton, why it pays to hang out in pubs, trying to cash a big check in NYC in the 70s, what it's like touring now vs. then, and I share the big thing I missed on their "Head Games" album cover, all in this episode of the EricCast.

Ray Parker Jr. is known for "The Other Woman," songs with Raydio like "You Can't Change That," and of course "Ghostbusters." But his roots in Detroit meant he was playing clubs in his teens and was lead guitarist for Stevie Wonder on his 1972 tour with the Rolling Stones. Parker Jr. wrote hits for Rufus & Chaka Khan and played with everyone from Diana Ross and Barry White to The Carpenters and Boz Scaggs. He has a new documentary coming out and his current tour means a trip to Milwaukee, giving Eric an opportunity to talk with him about his remarkable career.

A farm boy from Nebraska discovered cable - sorta - and became a huge comedian with the help of morning radio and a friend he met during Atlanta Braves spring training games named Jeff Foxworthy. Larry the Cable Guy hooked audiences up with laughter across the country in the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and is still at it. Ahead of his Milwaukee show, I talk with Larry about his Wisconsin-native wife (and how their wedding - the least fancy wedding ever - only cost $185), how he got started, his love of golf and country life, how he almost hit a home run at Miller Park, and where he has beers on layaway. And he didn't have to apologize for a single joke in this one!

Lewis Black has been described as "a passionate performer who is more pissed-off optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon." He rants on everything from politics to how Starbucks showing up on opposite corners of the same street corner is a sign of the end. His observations skewer everything, and offers more insight at times than serious commentators. Ahead of his Milwaukee appearance, Eric Paulsen talked with Lewis about his days working at the Appalachian Regional Commission (bet you didn't know about that!), when baseball gets only two strikes, the best bar in the world (it's in Wisconsin) and the beer named for him, what he enjoys most outside of stand-up, and what to expect with the all-new material on his current tour. All in 10 minutes.