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
Piece image
Big Top Chautauqua is proud to welcome Cornmeal all the way from Chicago to the Tent Show stage.

Bought by KSTK, KPIP-LP, KALH, KMSU, WDSE and more


  • Added: Mar 19, 2015
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 10
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Tent Show Radio is pleased to welcome back to the Big Top stage Bayfield’s very own blues, folk, rock musician Corey Carlson and his Big City Band....

Bought by KALH, KMSU, KSRQ, WDSE, WUMB and more


  • Added: Mar 12, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 8
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Our Duluth, MN episode featuring two outstanding acts ~ singer songwriter Teague Alexy and foot stompin' Tin Can Gin.

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


  • Added: Mar 06, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 8
Caption: Tent Show Radio
This past summer we were thrilled to see bluesy guitar man Kenny Wayne Shepherd and his electrifying band as they tore up the tent! Shepherd was b...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), KALH, KMSU, WRNC-LP, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Feb 27, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 9
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Gypsy jazz from Berlin, Germany along with Big Top Chautauqua's very own Blue Canvas Orchestra.

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


  • Added: Feb 13, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 8
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Yonder Mountain String Band has always played music by its own set of rules. Bending bluegrass, rock and countless other influences, Yonder has pi...

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


  • Added: Feb 01, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 8
Caption: Tent Show Radio
“I think our music promotes the bridging of all tribes,” Nahko says. “The lyrics and the stories and our energy as a group break down people’s wall...

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


  • Added: Jan 28, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 10
Caption: Tent Show Radio
McLean recorded his first album, Tapestry, in 1969 in Berkeley, California, during the student riots. After being rejected 72 times by labels, the ...

Bought by KFCF FM, KALH, KMSU, KPIP-LP, KHNS and more


  • Added: Jan 13, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 11
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Born and raised in Byrdstown, Tennessee Sierra Hull attended Pickett County High School before accepting a Presidential Scholarship to study at the...

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


  • Added: Jan 12, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 9
Caption: Tent Show Radio
With strong roots in the Midwest, former Appleton, WI native via Babbitt, MN ~ now hailing from Nashville, TN ~ we are pleased to welcome songwrite...

Bought by KALH, KMSU, KSRQ, Wisconsin Public Radio, WPCA-LP and more


  • Added: Jan 06, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 8
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Having collaborated with one another for two decades, Rusted Root, has honed the perfect combination of musical intuition, freedom and virtuosity, ...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), KALH, KMSU, WDSE, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Dec 30, 2014
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 8
Caption: Tent Show Radio
New First Night ~ the official kick-off of the Big Top tent season featuring host Michael Perry and Big Top Chautauqua's Blue Canvas Orchestra and ...

Bought by WRNC-LP, WRNC-LP, KALH, WDSE, WUMB and more


  • Added: Dec 30, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 8
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Tent Show Radio on the road live from the beautiful Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, Wisconsin with host Michael Perry, the Blue Canv...

Bought by WRNC-LP, WNMU-FM, WDSE, KMXT, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Jun 25, 2014
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 6
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On the road from The Grand Theater in downtown Wausau, WI. Featuring Frank Montano, Charlie Parr, Michael Perry, the Blue Canvas Orchestra and spe...

Bought by Wisconsin Public Radio, WRNC-LP, WNMU-FM, WDSE, KMXT and more


  • Added: Jun 20, 2014
  • Length: 59:02
  • Purchases: 6
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Featuring host Michael Perry, the Blue Canvas Orchestra and Big Top Idol winners Lissa Flemming and Kevin Souiler.

Bought by Wisconsin Public Radio, WDSE, WRNC-LP, KSRQ, and KMXT


  • Added: Jun 06, 2014
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Tent Show Radio live in concert from the beautiful and historic Capitol Theater at the Overture Center for the Arts. Special guest artists include...

Bought by WRNC-LP, WNMU-FM, KFOK-LPFM, WDSE, KSRQ and more


  • Added: Jun 04, 2014
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 7
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Tent Show Radio welcomes from Nashville, Tennessee, Grammy Award bluegrass Nominees Della Mae.

Bought by KFOK-LPFM, WDSE, KSRQ, Wisconsin Public Radio, and KMXT


  • Added: May 23, 2014
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: Tent Show Radio
A selection of songs performed by some of our favorite artists up at the tent including Brandi Carlile, The Pines, Punch Brothers, Cloud Cult, Taj ...

Bought by KSRQ, Wisconsin Public Radio, WNMU-FM, WRNC-LP, KFOK-LPFM and more


  • Added: May 19, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
Caption: Tent Show Radio
Tent Show Radio takes the show on the road to beautiful Fish Creek, Wisconsin featuring special guest artist Katie Dahl along with host Michael Per...

Bought by WDSE, WRNC-LP, KSRQ, Wisconsin Public Radio, WNMU-FM and more


  • Added: May 19, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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Iowa originated via now Minneapolis situated underground folksters The Pines join us for the their third visit to the Big Top stage.

Bought by KSRQ, Wisconsin Public Radio, KFOK-LPFM, WPCA-LP, WDSE and more


  • Added: May 02, 2014
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 6