Wisconsin Musicians

The phrase "garage band" traditionally refers to an unsophisticated rock group. But technology is giving the term new meaning. Computer programs by that name now allow people without any muscial training to put together songs using software.

As part of Wisconsin Public Radio's music series, Shamane Mills visited a Wisconsin man who produces tunes used for commercials, movie trailers and general enjoyment, using this technology.

It's been said that the family that prays together, stays together. But if they happen to play together, too, then they must have something really special.

Today (10/02), in a feature produced by Terry Bell, we meet classical musicians Allison and Phil Ostrander...

Klezmer music originated in eastern Europe as Jewish dance music. The word Klezmer comes from two Hebrew words: klay and zemmer, which translates to "vessel of song." Madison's Yid Vicious is bringing traditional klezmer music into the 21st Century. In October, the group will part the 2006 goodwill delegation Wisconsin to its sister state, Chiba, Japan. Jennifer Dargan spoke with Yid Vicous members Kia Karlan and Daithe Wolfe…

Since 1999, the Madison ensemble Navan has given a new voice to old languages. While the three-member acapella group aims to entertain audiences, they also work to keep their music faithful and authentic to the original Gaelic, Welsh, Irish and Celtic versions through painstaking research and practice.

Brian Bull recently visited Navan during a recording session, and has this latest installment in our Wisconsin Musicians Series…

Our series of special reports on "Wisconsin Musicians" is back. Today, we meet Manty Ellis; guitar virtuoso, beloved teacher, and one of the last links to Milwaukee's golden age of Jazz. Terry Bell has more…

While not the first place one might look for the next big thing, Milwaukee's hip-hop scene is bursting with raw talent. That's due in large part to Milwakee's own Black Elephant. Since they formed in 2000, they've performed with some heavy-hitters like De La Soul and Jurassic 5, and have sold thousands of CD's. It seems like "making it big" is the ultimate next step. But for Black Elephant, their success can be measured beyond their rhymes.

Todd Witter has more…

Wisconsin is known for its loggers not cowboys. But there's a subculture of fans who like what they term, "hillbilly" music. We continue our year-long series on Wisconsin musicians today with a band out of the Fox Valley that's making a name for itself playing old time country-western music, with a modern edge.

Patty Murray reports…

Our series of special reports on Wisconsin Musicians continues this morning. If the Dirty Dozen Brass Band went out and got a tattoo, and maybe a couple of piercings, they might end up sounding like Madison's Youngblood Brass Band.

Terry Bell reports…

As our monthly series continues, we launch our third installment by visiting Hmong folk musician, Mai Zong Vue. You aren’t likely to find Mai Zong Vue’s music at your mall’s record store, but she is a familiar voice in the Hmong-American community. Since arriving in America 25 years ago, Vue has taken on the task of learning and performing many of her traditional folk songs, to audiences across the nation.

Brian Bull introduces us to Madison's Mai Zong Vue…

Music fans in the Northwoods are saying so long to a local legend, a man they know simply as Brother Bill.

As Glen Moberg reports, the bluegrass legend is putting away his guitar, hanging up his headsets, and riding off into the sunset...

We begin with folk musician Ariane Lydon, who lives in Viroqua. She's been a fixture on the folk festival circuit and a favorite of La Crosse-area audiences for years. She grew up a classically-trained pianist in Europe, but while in college, took up other stringed instruments, and extended her virtuosity to the guitar, the harp, and the hammer dulcimer.

Terry Bell has more...