Tent Show Radio

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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 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 founded in 1986, with a mission to present performances and events that celebrate history, culture, and the environment - along with their annual summer concert series - nestled in the woods on the shores of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands.

Series

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15 Pieces

Listen to all the 2024 episodes of Tent Show Radio, Big Top Chautauqua's independently produced weekly radio program.

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373 Pieces

Available for free and hosted by best-selling author Michael Perry, 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.


Pieces

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Nanci Griffith was a Grammy award winning American singer, songwriter, and musician, known for blending together Country & Folk music stylings. Thr...

  • Added: Oct 14, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
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Roy Clark, an American Country music singer and musician, best known for hosting "Hee Haw", a nationally televised country variety show, from 1969 ...

  • Added: Oct 06, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
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The word “legend” usually makes an appearance at some point when discussing Merle Haggard. It’s an acknowledgement of his artistry and his standing...

  • Added: Sep 29, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
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In 2019 we cut the band loose on some of their favorite songs from the season and from summers past. Severin Behnen leads the famed house band that...

  • Added: Sep 23, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
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This week, Different Drums of Ireland joins us on Tent Show Radio. Different Drums brings the indigenous drums of Ireland, the Lambeg and the Bodhr...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Sep 16, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 1
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On this episode of Tent Show Radio we revisit Rosanne Cash's August 2019 performance at Big Top Chautauqua. One of the country's preeminent singer/...

Bought by KFCF FM, WDSE, and GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Sep 08, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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Multi-Grammy Award winners: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country rock band that has existed in various forms since its founding in Lon...

Bought by KSJE, KFCF FM, WDSE, and GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Aug 25, 2021
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 4
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The Blue Canvas Orchestra has been the Big Top Chautauqua's house band since its founding in 1986. Severin Behnen has led the famed house band to i...

  • Added: Aug 11, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
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From houses of worship to houses of blues, Ruthie Foster has always been a rafter-rattler. And with a soul-filled voice honed in Texas churches, sh...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Aug 11, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 1
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Suzanne Vega's music career spans almost 40 years and we were lucky to have her in the summer of 2009.  As an American singer-songwriter, musician ...

  • Added: Aug 04, 2021
  • Length: 59:00