Tent Show Radio

Series produced by Tent Show Radio

Series image

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.

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. Hide full description

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... Show full description


373 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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With a Cuban-American lead singer, garage band ferocity, an intense live show and a deep love of both romance and pure country laced with polyrhyth...

Bought by KMXT, KALH, KPIP-LP, WPCA-LP, WTIP and more


  • Added: Feb 09, 2016
  • Length: 59:20
  • Purchases: 11
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Tune in tonight as Tent Show host and author Michael Perry welcomes our very own Blue Canvas Orchestra in the first set followed by bluegrass outfi...

Bought by KFCF FM, KMXT, KALH, KPIP-LP, KSJE and more


  • Added: Jan 23, 2016
  • Length: 59:19
  • Purchases: 12
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Brulé returns to the Big Top bringing their blend of contemporary Native American sounds and rhythms in a powerfully, stunning performance. Now one...

Bought by KMXT, KALH, WGZS, WTIP, KOJB 90.1 FM The eagle and more


  • Added: Jan 14, 2016
  • Length: 59:50
  • Purchases: 13
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Tonight's show begins with the familiar sounds of Big Top Chautauqua's very own Blue Canvas Orchestra along with special musical guests Corey Carls...

Bought by KMXT, KALH, KSJE, WTIP, KPIP-LP and more


  • Added: Jan 11, 2016
  • Length: 59:31
  • Purchases: 11
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Arlo returns to Big Top to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the event that inspired his seminal song, ‘Alice’s Restaurant Massacree’. We’re pleas...

Bought by KRCB 104.9, KMXT, WPCA-LP, KALH, KPIP-LP and more


  • Added: Dec 22, 2015
  • Length: 59:20
  • Purchases: 12
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Kahulanui (The Big Dance) is an inspiration passed down three generations from Grandfather Robert Kahulanui Naipo, to Dad Rodgers L.L. Naipo Sr., t...

Bought by WRNC-LP, KMXT, KPIP-LP, KSJE, WDSE and more


  • Added: Dec 18, 2015
  • Length: 59:19
  • Purchases: 10
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Join Big Top Chautauqua and the Blue Canvas Orchestra in this special holiday performance.

Bought by WDSE, KMSU, KPIP-LP, WTIP, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Dec 07, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 10
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Big Top's closing night featuring Michael Perry, Blue Canvas Orchestra and special musical guests.

Bought by WTIP, KPIP-LP, KALH, KMSU, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Jun 17, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 11
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Cape Breton fiddler extraordinaire.

Bought by KPIP-LP, KALH, WRNC-LP, KSRQ, KMSU and more


  • Added: Jun 11, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 9
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Raw, young and heartfelt Brooklyn, NY up and coming act along with Big Top Chautauqua's Blue Canvas Orchestra.

Bought by KPIP-LP, KMSU, KALH, KPIP-LP, WRNC-LP and more


  • Added: Jun 08, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 10
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Host Michael Perry welcomes Big Top's Blue Canvas Orchestra featuring the house show Shanties & Shipwrecks!

Bought by KPIP-LP, KMSU, KALH, KPIP-LP, WRNC-LP and more


  • Added: May 21, 2015
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 9
Caption: Tent Show Radio
From the movie screen to the Big Top stage please welcome actor and musician Jeff Daniels.

Bought by KPIP-LP, KALH, KPIP-LP, KSRQ, KMSU and more


  • Added: May 21, 2015
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 10
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Host Michael Perry welcomes Toad The Wet Sprocket to the Tent Show Stage.

Bought by KPIP-LP, KMSU, KALH, KPIP-LP, KSRQ and more


  • Added: May 14, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 9
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Heartfelt, energetic, and down home. Heralded by CMT Edge as "one of the most promising bands on the bluegrass scene," the music of the Nashville b...

Bought by KPIP-LP, KMSU, WRNC-LP, KALH, KPIP-LP and more


  • Added: May 08, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 9
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Country classics and Opry favorites featuring Big Top's Blue Canvas Orchestra and special guests.

Bought by WTIP, KPIP-LP, KMSU, KALH, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Apr 21, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 8
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Pickers and neighbors from the South, Minnesota that is, Pert Near Sandstone.

Bought by KPIP-LP, KMSU, WRNC-LP, KALH, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Apr 21, 2015
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 9
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Terrance Simien (born September 3, 1965 in Mallet, Louisiana) is an American zydeco musician, vocalist and songwriter. He and his band won the Gra...

Bought by KSRQ, KALH, WRNC-LP, KMSU, WDSE and more


  • Added: Apr 14, 2015
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 8
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Tune in this week as host Michael Perry welcomes the world-chart-topping boys and girl ~ Gaelic Storm ~ to the Big Top stage!

Bought by KMSU, KALH, KPIP-LP, WRNC-LP, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Apr 09, 2015
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 9
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This weeks episode features friends from New Orleans ~ Preservation Hall Jazz Band with an opening set by our very own Blue Canvas Orchestra.

Bought by WNMU-FM, KMSU, KALH, KPIP-LP, WDSE and more


  • Added: Apr 01, 2015
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 10
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From Nashville, TN via Boston, MA comes bluegrass pickers Della Mae.

Bought by KSTK, KALH, WRNC-LP, WDSE, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Mar 30, 2015
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 10