Midwest Beat

Soundz of Santana is back in the studio and they have never sounded better! Join Tom Lounges in welcoming the Soundz to a special episode of Midwest Beat!

This edition of  "MIDWEST BEAT with Tom Lounges" originally aired Friday, March 26, 2021 on 89.1FM-Lakeshore Public Radio

MUSICAL GUEST: CHRIS HILLMAN -- a pioneer of the Country Rock/Americana sound.

A "Rock And Roll Hall of Fame" inductee, Chris is a hit-making, chart topping recording star who has been an integral part of such iconic and groundbreaking groups as THE BYRDS, THE FLYIN G BURRITO BROTHERS, MANASSAS, and McGUINN, CLARK & HILLMAN.

Hillman has has also contributed to many albums as a guest musician, and throughout the years, has created a deep catalog of outstanding solo albums, with his most recent being produced by the late rocker and Hillman fan, TOM PETTY.
 

This past year, CHRIS HILLMAN recently added another feather to his cap and another credential to his resume. That of BOOK AUTHOR!

Hillman recently released his new 315-page autobiography, "TIME BETWEEN: My Life as a Byrd, Burrito Brother, and Beyond," via BMG Books, with a Forward by friend and fellow musician, Dwight Yoakam.

During this program, which is Chris Hillman's second guest appearance on "Midwest BEAT" in just over 2 years, various aspects of his 5-plus decades in the music business is discussed, an music by a variety of his famous groups is feaured before, between and after the talking segments.

Host and producer TOM LOUNGES said -- "CHRIS HILLMAN is one of the most cordial, easy-going and colorful guests to have appeared on this show and he always has an open invitation to stop-in or call-in anytime he has a new project or tour that he would love to promote and share with his multi-generational fan base."

To order an autographed copy of the "TIME BETWEEN" book, some of Chris' music, and other merchandise, log on to:
www.chrishillman.com

Alligator Records has an endless supply of talent, and Curtis Salgado is no exception! Tom Lounges talks about the good ol days with his friend Curtis on this special episode of Midwest Beat!

The New Book by Danny Zelisko. Available on DZPLive.com, Amazon and Kindle, The long-awaited stories of legendary concert promoter Danny Zelisko have arrived! Four years in the making, he quipped, “this baby was screaming to come out after all this time!” Tom Lounges chats to the author on this special episode of Midwest Beat.

Hobart bagpiper player, Craig Brooks, was live in-studio on my pre-Pat's live radio "Midwest BEAT" program tonight on 89.1-FM Lakeshore Public Radio. Craig stopped in with his wife and drummer, Dianna Brooks, both of Celtic Guard Academy Pipes and Drums.

Kathy Valentine, legendary bassist of The Go-Gos calls in to chat with Tom Lounges! She talks band history, rock hall of fame induction, and new book all on this special Midwest Beat!

This edition of "MIDWEST BEAT with Tom Lounges" originally aired on FRIDAY, MARCH 12 on

  89.1FM-Lakeshore Public Radio            MUSICAL GUEST:  VINNY APPICE: Drummer for DIO & BLACK SABBATH    Iconic metal/rock drummer -- VINNY APPICE -- of Black Sabbath, DIO and Heaven & Hell fame is the guest for this program. Vinny has been on the radio with host Tom Lounges a few times over the years and has some great stories that he is happy to share.  For this program, the conversation covers how he came to work with Ronnie James Dio and the Black Sabbath guys, his teenage encounter with John Lennon, growing up with his famous older brother Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, etc.), the mystery of his mother's lasagna pan, and the 40th anniversary re-issuing of the Black Sabbath's landmark Dio-era albums, "Heaven And Hell" and "Mob Rules." 

Versatile musician, guitarist, vocalist, composer, producer and arranger Steve Lukather was born in Los Angeles on October 21 in 1957. He has new music coming out with some big names and he dishes all right here on Midwest Beat!

Tesla was a rockin band with some crazy stories and Tom Lounges interviews bass guitarist Brian Wheat on this edition of Midwest Beat!

Gunnar Nelson is a American singer-songwriter and musician who, with his twin brother Matthew Nelson, is a member of the multi-platinum-selling band Nelson, which had a #1 hit in 1990 with the single "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection". Tom Lounges chats with Gunnar about some upcoming projects right here on Midwest Beat!

On Catspaw, his 15th studio album, due out January 15, 2021 on Omnivore Recordings, Matthew Sweet cranks his vintage amplifiers and steps into a role previously played by some of his generation’s most unique and incendiary lead guitarists from Richard Lloyd (Television) to Robert Quine (Lou Reed) and Ivan Julian (Richard Hell & the Voidoids). Though Catspaw is absent of his famous collaborators, their presence is felt in the mark they left on Sweet’s guitar work. His solos are audacious, confrontational, and inspired. Tom Lounges chats with Mattew Sweet on this special edition of Midwest Beat!

California-based husband-and-wife duo Andrew Stern and Laura Arias of 3 Pairs of Boots met through a “Singer Wanted” ad and were married within a year of their first encounter. The duo share a vast musical history as well as a talent for pairing catchy melodies with heartfelt messages. Their distinctive sound is an Americana-blending of folk, rock, and country  Their brand new album is "Long Rider," and selections from it will be featured on this special episode of Midwest Beat.

Northern Irish musician and songwriter, and the lead singer with Black Star Riders and Thin Lizzy. He is also the frontman for the Scottish hard rock band The Almighty, with whom he achieved chart success in the UK throughout the 1990s, although the band is currently on hiatus. Warwick has released several solo albums and performed with a variety of other bands and artists, and also fronts his own band, The Fighting Hearts, to showcase his solo material.

Musical guest is TOTO vocalist JOSEPH WILLIAMS . Toto's evolution and Williams' star-studded solo album "Denizen Tenant" will be discussed as new songs get spotlighted. Check out his new music video here: http://youtube/tbI3zJ2qeb8

Nothing upended the hierarchy of rock music quite as dramatically as the emergence of grunge. Seemingly overnight, all of the bands we knew and loved from the ‘80s and early ‘90s were out, and new faces were in. But in retrospect, it’s easy to see that not much changed. Loud guitar, impassioned vocals, and tight, forthright, emotional songwriting never went out of style. And Slammin’ Gladys always had all of those qualities in spades. All this on Midwest Beat!

Jim Hillegonds of "Bonfire" joins Midwest Beat to celebrate the life of Bon Scott as well as the legendary ACDC!

One of the best and fastest rising new generation bluesmen, Alligator Recording artist, SELWYN BIRCHWOOD, has been catching fire and has fanned those flames into his incredible new 13-song 2021 album, "LIVING IN A BURNING HOUSE." On this afternoon's program, in addition to the interview, Lakeshore listeners will be treated to selections from this incredible new collection of original Birchwood songs, performed by one of the mightiest blues bands in the world today.

Nate Venturelli is heating up the region! With support from unions all across the area he has new music that we showcase right here on Midwest Beat!

Former guitarist, vocalist and songwriter of Grand Funk Railroad will with his longtime friend, show host Tom Lounges about his career with the band that he made famous, his post-GFR music projects, and his current group Mark Farner's American Band.  Listeners will hear songs from various points in Mark's career, including a classic GFR tune performed live from the newly released, "From Chile with Love" concert DVD release.

This edition of “Midwest BEAT with Tom Lounges” originally aired on TUESDAY (1/26/21) on 89.1FM-LAKESHORE PUBLIC RADIO

  GUEST:  ARISTOTLE GALANOS of THE CLOSETS.   The Closets are Northwest Indiana’s contribution to the post-Millennial music landscape. Headed by aspiring musician and Hammond native, ARISTOTLE GALANOS, who has been performing since age 14, the project is done in true indie-rock fashion.  Galanos self-records his original compositions in a home studio often alone, but sometimes utilizing the help of friends.  For this radio program, Galanos performed a pair of live in studio songs, with a pair of additional songs “These Cobwebs” and “Strings in a Swing,” being pulled from some of The Closets’ earlier recording projects. 

Among the topics of conversation during this episode was The Closets’ debut vinyl album, “MONGREL IN THE COBWEBS,” released to regional record shops in late 2020.  Galanos says that he takes inspiration from artists ranging from singer/songwriters John Prine and Randy Newman; to artists like Lou Reed, Kevin Morby and Nick Drake, who focus on social observations and self-reflection.  Listeners should follow this young artist for one never knows what might come out of The Closets as Aristotle finds his footing in today’s ever-changing world of modern indie-rock. 

This edition of "MIDWEST BEAT with Tom Lounges"originally aired on 01-08-21 on 89.1FM-Lakeshore Public Radio

TOPIC:  TOM'S TOP 10 REGIONAL ALBUMS OF 2020
 

This edition of "Midwest BEAT with Tom Lounges" was originally aired on 12-14-20 on 89.1FM-Lakeshore Public Radio.

GUEST:  KEVIN J. FRIEND

Southside of Chicago music native, Kevin J. Friend returned over the holidays to rock his old stomping grounds. Friend is best known in the region for having been the lead vocalist and guitarist for the club-packing Chicago band MAMMOTH during the 1980s. 

The group shared stages with top rock names of the day at venue ranging from Pointe East, to The Hammond Civic Center, to the Aragon Ballroom, and Midway Ballroom, to name a few.

Friend later spent time on the local club circuit in the 1990s fronting Kevin Friend & 20/20 before relocating to Florida many years ago.

The popular and charismatic entertainer returns to town to perform two special shows before jetting back to the Sunshine State.  During his time in studio at Lakeshore Public Radio, Friend talks to his old buddy Tom Lounges about the glory days, the current days, and the blessings of sobriety.  

There is a fair share of live singing and playing of music in studio and the show opens with a short blast of hard rockin' via a partial clip of Friend's band 20/20 kicking out an amplified treatment of Cat Steven's classic, "Wild World."

JAMIE JAMES of the retro rock group, The Kingbees, talks about his long career in music and about being band leader for the late character actor HARRY DEAN STANTON's musical group, THE CHEAP DATES.   James also serves as the musical director and band leader for DENNIS QUAID & THE SHARKS.   Music from all three of those unique projects will be featured in between the conversation segments. 

10 Years Away Talk To Tom Lounges on Midwest Beat!

Legend of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, Greg Lake has some new music coming out.

Midwest Beat remembers dear friend, Mojo Morganfield. 

Join us as we celebrate a holiday special apperance of Blackmore's Night vocalist, Candice Night! She has some new carols to show and we chat on this Christmas Edition of Midwest Beat!

They released a three excellent albums for Mercury and one for Columbia, and over the course of those albums and years, the band offered up such memorable FM hits as -- "The Only Time I'm Sober Is When You're Gone," "Racin' The Sun," "Gypsy Rider," "The Wonder of It All," and "House of the Living." 

Albert Bouchard, co-founder and original drummer of Blue Oyster Cult, who has recently re-recorded that band's classic 1988 album, "Imaginos."  Selections will be played from the newly released Bouchard version, cleverly titled "Re-Imaginos."