MAD TOAST LIVE!

Episode 167 - Frank Sommers

A songwriter whose catalog of hundreds of songs include folk, pop, musical theater, gospel, country, Big Band and other genres, Frank X. Sommers has also been a writer/producer in several different mediums, including theater, music and television. His musical theater adaptation of the Miramax movie "The Englishman Who went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain" was showcased in the Disney/ASCAP workshop program in New York.

facebook.com/pages/Frank-X-Sommers

Episode 166 - Harris Lemberg & Johnny Widdicombe

A NJ native, Lemberg studied Philosophy at the UW-Madison while earning a living playing gigs.  I gig-meister still, Harris' award-winning 2007 release, "Lost In My Own Little World" features (in Lemberg's own words) "funky childlike piano jazz in the the style of Vince Guaraldi".  Joined by another great jazz-philosopher, Mr. Johnny Widdicombe (Piper Road Spring Band), on bass. These are all old friends of ours, so this show promises to be a great reunion!

harrissimo.com

Episode 165 - Laurie Lang-Croasdale, John Becker & Sally DeBroux

Lang-Croasdale, Becker and DeBroux have been creating beautiful new yet classic jazz sounds together for many years--often heard at the Orton Park Festival and other great Madison venues. Upright bass, keyboard, drums and vocals.   sallydebroux.com

Episode 164 - Dirty Shirts

Their new CD, "Two Dollar Turpentine" just hit the streets, though the Dirty Shirts have been blazing their own honky-tonk trail for several years.  "Burkhart writes songs that would make Kristofferson reach over to turn up the radio..." (WI Public TV's Andy Moore--"30 Minute Music Hour")

www.thedirtyshirts.com

Episode 163 - Catfish Stephenson

www.myspace.com/catfishstephenson

A.V. Club-Madison says, "...one of Madison's most unmistakable musicians...you'll be hard-pressed to find a better acoustic bluesman in town. Even when Stephenson is right in front of your face, you can almost imagine the tunes are streaming off an old 78."  We second that emotion.

Episode 162 - Daniel & The Lion

Based in Baraboo, WI, Daniel & The Lion's lead-man, Jimmie Linville, recently won 105.5 WMMM's Project M contest.  Katjusa Cisar (77 Square) says, "...Daniel & the Lion's songs evoke power in their spareness, similar to Eau Claire indie darling Bon Iver."  Currently on their Midwest Tour, we're excited to have them back on the show!

www.datlband.com

Episode 161 - Charlie Cheney & Chris Aaron

"Pirate Superhero Citizen Adventurer"--"Discovered" by Jackson Browne and Pat MacDonald in June 2006 at Steel Bridge Songfest where he exploded onto the songwriter scene.  Cheney  7 songs included on international compilation CDs and an acclaimed solo CD.  Charlie will be joined on a few tunes by Wisconsin's favorite famous guitar-slinger, Mr. Chris Aaron!

www.charliecheney.com

www.chrisaaron.com

Episode 160 - Bowser

Elkhart Lake Wisconsin's jam/rock band Bowser. bowserband.com

Episode 159 - Star Persons

Madison's Electro-Hip-Hop band played the Orpheum Theater in their hometown on Halloween weekend.  It was a crazy night and we were there to capture it. starpersons.net

Episode 158 - Ben Bullington

Part 2    Amazing Montana songwriter, Ben Bullington, takes the stage. benbullington.com/