Episodes

  • 46 | Could Milwaukee host the Olympics? Here's why they should consider it, with Jay Sorgi

    46 | Could Milwaukee host the Olympics? Here's why they should consider it, with Jay Sorgi
    Jul 22 2024
    With the 2024 Summer Olympic Games underway, we're here to talk about the Olympics – and Milwaukee. As in, could Milwaukee host an Olympic Games? Even if it could. why? What’s in it for the city and the greater region? Answers exist in a fascinating book called Greater Than The Games, Volume 1: MKE2028, created by broadcaster Jay Sorgi. He began researching the topic out of curiosity. Unearthing more information led to the belief that Milwaukee could not only host the Olympic Games, but the additional investments to fully prepare for such an endeavor - given the right planning and execution – could drive positive, transformative change for Milwaukee and the entire region. Far-fetched, you say? It’s not. In Greater Than The Games, Volume 1: MKE2028, Jay lays out how Olympic bids work; how some cities used it to propel themselves to the next level while others were left with debt and white elephants; the remarkable wealth of venues, facilities, and resources within reasonable distance of Milwaukee already, and how additional investments for venues, housing, transportation and more can be properly repurposed after the Games to bring the city and region to the next level for the future. Listen to this conversation, read the book, and watch the Olympics; you might find inspiration not just for Milwaukee, but for yourself.
    You can find the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Greater-Than-Games-Vol-MKE2028/dp/B0C9SBVLL9
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • 45 | Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken: Two Idols reflect and celebrate 20 years with concerts

    45 | Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken: Two Idols reflect and celebrate 20 years with concerts
    May 1 2023
    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.
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    24 mins
  • 44 | Kathy Mattea on country music, tech, and losing - then regaining - her singing voice

    44 | Kathy Mattea on country music, tech, and losing - then regaining - her singing voice
    May 1 2023
    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.
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    19 mins
  • 43 | Rick Wills of Foreigner getting the "basses" covered

    43 | Rick Wills of Foreigner getting the "basses" covered
    Mar 5 2020
    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.
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    18 mins
  • 42 | Ray Parker Jr., from Motown to Raydio to Busting Ghosts

    42 | Ray Parker Jr., from Motown to Raydio to Busting Ghosts
    Jan 29 2020
    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.
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    18 mins
  • 41 | Gettin' an Interview Doooone with Larry the Cable Guy

    41 | Gettin' an Interview Doooone with Larry the Cable Guy
    Nov 22 2019
    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!
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    17 mins
  • 40 | Back in (Lewis) Black, dishing on beer allergies, tie rebellions, the best bar, and his newest tour

    40 | Back in (Lewis) Black, dishing on beer allergies, tie rebellions, the best bar, and his newest tour
    Nov 1 2019
    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.
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    11 mins
  • 39 | He's Chevy Chase, and You're Not: Talking Weekend Update, Movies, & Christmas Vacation screenings

    39 | He's Chevy Chase, and You're Not: Talking Weekend Update, Movies, & Christmas Vacation screenings
    Oct 14 2019
    He was the first person to say "Live From New York, It's Saturday Night!" He hosted Weekend Update and then got into movies from Foul Play to Caddyshack to Fletch, and of course the series of National Lampoon's Vacation movies. Ahead of his coming to Milwaukee for a screening of Christmas Vacation where he'll do Q&A, I got to talk with Chevy Chase about falls with President Ford, working with the cast of Caddyshack characters, what Jimmy Stewart said to him when he introduced himself (it was brief), observations on making the Vacation movies, and just what the heck the "W" in Clark W. Griswold stands for. It all starts with me interrupting his breakfast at home. Listen here!
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    21 mins