Keith Nelson from Buckcherry took a few moments the chat with Cara from backstage as they tour the country with KISS to talk about...touring the country with KISS!

Michael Buble' has sold 22,000,000 albums (so far) worldwide.  His songs capture romance, heartache, love and every other emotion that goes along with any relationship you've ever been in.  His song "Everything" is a very popular first-dance song at weddings.  And his live performances are unreal.

It was an honor to be the very first radio personality in the USA to speak on the phone with Michael Buble' (for 101.9 WTMX "The Mix" in Chicago,IL) as his third album "Crazy Love" is just about to be released.  The album was initially supposed to be released on October 13, but due to fan demand the album will now be released 4 days prior (October 9).  You can pre-order it now. An even bigger honor was having him serenade me...I still have the goosebumps!

It's no secret that I am a HUGE fan of the Lovehammers.  They've been featured on my podcast Cara's Basement a few times already. Their first new album in three years, Heavy Crown, is coming out next month...of course I absolutely HAD to talk to them again!

You will hear some new songs from Heavy Crown (which isn't even out until July 21) and the backstory on the writing & recording process

This interview was recorded in their dressing room at Chicago's House Of Blues on June 19, 2009, just hours before they hit the stage. 

 

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You can check out a WAY COOL picture show from the Lovehammers House Of Blues/Chicago show 6-19-09 courtesy of photographer Christie LaMountain...CLICK HERE.

Despite throwing his back out the night before and having a bad cold, Dave Matthews made sure to keep our appointment to chat about his incredible new album "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King". He's amazingly candid about everything he discusses...from the tragic death of a LaRoi Moore to the horrific situation years ago in Chicago when one of his bus drivers dumped 800 pounds of human waste on the heads of those on a boat in the Chicago River. For the record, I felt bad about bringing up the "poop" incident since it's old news and I am well aware how bad he feels about it. But he was more than willing to discuss it, take responsibility, and apologize yet again.

Mike Pinder was the original founding member of one of the most influential rock bands, The Moody Blues. 

We talk about everything from music to UFO's to his unique way of helping up & coming musicians on his website, www.MikePinder.com

Simply put...she is the coolest chick ever. This episode is short & sweet - well under 5 minutes.

Wow...Creed is back!  They split up about 6 years ago at the height of their fame.  Scott Stapp & Mark Tremonti chat about their new album, tour and how having kids brought them back together as a band.

One very funny part is when Scott Stapp describes their concert history in Chicago, referring to the infamous night where he was allegedly (I wasn't there so I can't say for sure) so incoherent he couldn't remember the lyrics to any songs as a "not-so-great-night".

I only had about 6 minutes with them and didn't get a chance to ask Mark Tremonti about the future of Alter Bridge...but I'm under the impression that Alter Bridge is NOT breaking up, though there's a strong rumour that their singer Myles Kennedy may be fronting the Led Zeppelin reunion tour. 

This Beat Goes On/Switch In' To Glide has been a favorite song (okay, it's two songs) of mine for decades.  It was such a thrill to speak with Mister Zero from The Kings and get the whole backstory on how that song came to be.

You can get the rest of the story on their DVD "Anatomy Of A One-Hit Wonder: The Kings' 'This Beat Goes On/Switch In' To Glide"...check it out on their website: www.TheKingsAreHere.com

It's been a life long dream to have one-on-one conversation with Bono from U2.  This is pretty darn close!!

Daniel Burrow is Bono in the greatest U2 tribute band, Elevation.

We recorded this interview on a day when the real U2 was in Chicago for an intimate, private appearance.  I walked around the city with Danno and witnessed people doing double takes since he looks & walks so much like Bono...in fact, a few people asked for his autograph.  NBC5 in Chicago even filmed us.  Fun day!

This is a VIDEO episode.  If you are having trouble seeing the video please click HERE to see it on youtube.

Randy Jackson is one of the most amazing performers. Not the judge from American Idol...this is the Randy Jackson from Zebra who also performs amazing concerts with an Orchestra interpreting Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Pink Floyd & The Doors.  OMG...amazing!

FYI - he'll be in Milwaukee performing songs from Led Zeppelin with a full orchestra this Thursday, February 26, 2007.  Check out his full itinerary HERE.

Here's his websites:
www.TheDoor.com
www.TheMusicOfLedZeppelin.com

Kelly Clarkson is the very first winner of American Idol and her massive success continues to grow with her current number one single, "My Life Would Suck Without You".

She chats about what it was like to hear Steve Carrell scream "Kelly Clarkson!" when he got his chest waxed in 40 Year Old Virgin, she talks about not catering to the gossip blogs, and much more...

I had the pleasure of moderating the press conference for Fall Out Boy prior to the Nike+ Human Race at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL.  They talked quite a bit about their new album FOLIE A DEUX.  At the time of this press conference the album was set to be released on election day - they've since pushed back the release until 12-16-08.

This is my first VIDEO podcast (vidcast?)...

The Steepwater Band is based in Chicago and they're releasing their new album "Grace and Melody" on December 2.  The new record is produced by former Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford and I love it!  I had the pleasure of chatting with drummer Joe Winters in this episode of Cara's Basement.

To celebrate the release of their new album, The Steepwater Band is putting on a FREE show at the Double Door in Chicago on Wednesday, November 26th (the night before Thanksgiving).

Andy Taylor wrote a new tell-all book called "Wild Boy" and shares plenty of juicy stories from his crazy history of Duran Duran.  It really was a wild time.  His book is fun to read and it was a pleasure talking to him.

This interview took place in the summer of 2008, just after Josh Kelley played a packed gig at the Taste of Chicago.  He opens up about songwriting and his musical influences.  He's a very down-to-earth guy and a fabulous singer/guitar player/songwriter!

I had the pleasure of introducing The Plain White T's for WTMX when they performed an acoustic set at Best Buy (in Downers Grove, IL) on 9-26-08.  They were fantastic and attracted a huge crowed!  Before they played I spoke with band members Dave Tirio & Tom Higgenson just before they played.  This is that conversation...

(By the way, the "D" word I refer to is "Delilah" as in their hit song "Hey There Delilah")

Disturbed was part of the amazing lineup of Mayhem Fest during the summer of 2008.  I sat down with lead singer David Draiman in his dressing room a few hours before they hit the stage.  His intelligence and demeanor impressed me quite a bit.  This guy is one the smartest people I've ever met and despite his great success has absolutely no ego issues.  He rocks!

Nils Lofgren has jammed with Crazy Horse, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.  Besides his stellar guitar work backing others, he has also released many solo albums.  His latest is a tribute to his longtime friend and musical collaborator Neil Young:  "The Loner: Nils Sings Neil". 

Nils covers the early days of meeting Neil to the behind the scenes making of his new album.  His laid-back, honest and passionate  conversation makes this a do-not-miss episode for anyone who loves rock & roll history.  You'll even hear a clip of two of his Neil Young covers...very impressive!

The first 11 minutes is Duffy. We chatted on the couch in the SPIN Magazine Press Lounge backstage at Lollapalooza.  The publisher of SPIN joins us - quite fun!

Next, it's Tally Hall.  I met them while in line for a porta-john.  We discovered we are both from the same home town (West Bloomfield, MI) and when I heard the name of their band it brought a smile to my face - you'll hear why in our conversation.

I also interviewed another Lollapalooza artist - Dierks Bentley - a few days prior to Lollapalooza. That interview is not part of this podcast episode but you can hear it HERE.

See all of my Lollapalooza pictures HERE.

O.A.R. is such a great band to see jam live. It was my pleasure to chat with lead singer Marc Roberge and get his take on what it's like to make music and why he thinks it's way cool to record his live shows.

NOTE: Normally, all of my podcasts are "clean", but in this rare instance Marc let's a few "s_ _ t" words slip out - I was not able to edit them out because of temporary technical difficulties in my home studio.  This interview is virtually unedited.