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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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
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
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
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
Cape Breton fiddler extraordinaire.

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


  • Added: Jun 11, 2015
  • Length: 59:30
  • Purchases: 9
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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
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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The Blue Canvas Orchestra and special guests open up the show in the first half followed by Jamaican and Australian musical group Nattali Rize & Notis

Bought by KSRQ, KMXT, KALH, KSJE, WTIP and more


  • Added: Feb 10, 2016
  • Length: 59:20
  • Purchases: 12
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The Wailin’ Jennys are Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse – three distinct voices that together make an achingly perfect vocal sound. Starti...

Bought by KSTK, KFCF FM, KMXT, KALH, WTIP and more


  • Added: Feb 15, 2016
  • Length: 59:31
  • Purchases: 12
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Academy Award and GRAMMY winning artist, Melissa Etheridge, will take the stage to perform songs from her new album, This is M.E., as well as some ...

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


  • Added: Feb 26, 2016
  • Length: 59:22
  • Purchases: 10
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A son of the canvas, Big Top is proud to welcome Corey Carslson and his Big City Band.

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


  • Added: Mar 06, 2016
  • Length: 59:20
  • Purchases: 10
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After more than 20 albums (including Live from the Big Top) and more than three decades of performing, this co-founder of the influential indie roo...

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


  • Added: Mar 12, 2016
  • Length: 59:21
  • Purchases: 10
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Hot Rize has been astounding the bluegrass world with their fresh, contemporary approach to traditional music ever since their formation in 1978. T...

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


  • Added: Mar 17, 2016
  • Length: 59:20
  • Purchases: 10
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Tab Benoit is one of Louisiana’s best musical exports. In 2007, Benoit won the dual awards of B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and Best Contempora...

Bought by KFCF FM, KMUW, KMXT, KPIP-LP, WPCA-LP and more


  • Added: Apr 07, 2016
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 11