Backstage with Ron Onesti

Backstage has a stacked show this week as Ron Onesti chats with Richie Kotzen about his new music with his trio, Richie Kotzen Experience.  We also hear from Ray Parker Jr. talk about Ghostbusters and his buddy, Stevie Wonder.  B.J. Thomas stops by the Arcada Theater and talks about the importance of “Hooked on a Feeling” in his life. Finally, Ron talks with the entire Exile crew and finds out what musicians they would love to perform with and their new music that is on the way.   https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/20141114-onesti.mp3

This week on Backstage with Ron Onesti, Ron talks with the lead guitarist, Richard Williams, of his favorite band, Kansas.  They talk about remaining humble, and playing with power and conviction.  Ron then has a nice chat with a dear friend, Carlise Guy, daughter of Buddy Guy about her band, NuBlu Band, southern hospitality in the midwest, what it was like growing up with a guitar legend who loves to cook.   https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/20141107-onesti.mp3

Today on Backstage with Ron Onesti, Ron chats with Florence LaRue and the rest of the 5th Dimension about how they came to be, the importance of being yourself, and what it means to have “The 5th Dimension Personality”.  Tommy James of Tommy James and the Shondells joins to show to talk about the importance of an independent record label to their career, the love for party rock, and his love for Chicago.   https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/20141031-onesti.mp3

Today on Backstage with Ron Onesti, Ron chats with Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers.  They discuss how RnB  music was the most important influence on how their own sound developed and the passing of the other half of the duo, Bobby Hatfield.  Ron then talks with Mark Slaughter of the band Slaughter the wonderful feeling of when your music “strikes a chord” in the heart of a listener. https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/20141024-onesti.mp3    

We all know and love Lynyrd Skynyrd, and today on Backstage with Ron Onesti, that’s what we’re all about.  Ron Onesti chats with the Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer from the Ronnie Van Zant era, Artimus Pyle.  Following that, Ron talks with Shanty Town, a band that is home to Ronnie and Robbie Morris, nephews of Ronnie Van Zant.   https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/20141017-onesti-1.mp3  

This week on Backstage with Ron Onesti, Ron talks with singer/songwriter and folk rock musician, Al Stewart, about the usage of language in music and how important it is to be original.  We also hear from Darren Dowler, lead singer for Paul Revere and The Raiders, as we remember the late great Paul Revere.  Kansas just brought on board a new lead singer, Ronnie Platt, and Ron talks to him about his dream coming true in the blink of an eye.   https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/onesti101014pod.mp3

Today on Backstage with Ron Onesti, we are in Nashville and Ron gives us a music history lesson on the beautiful Ryman Auditorium.  We then hear from Carmine Appice, a drummer best known for his work with Vanilla Fudge, who tells us all about where the name “Vanilla Fudge” came from, what it’s like getting to tour with some of your best friends, and his new project, The Rod Experience.   https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/onesti100314.mp3    

This week on Backstage with Ron Onesti, we hear from Vince Gill known for both his work as frontman of Pure Prairie League and his solo work share some touching wisdom on companionship and the power of music. Former member of Boston, Fran Cosmo, talks about how his son Anton got involved in Boston and their current group, Cosmo.  Ron sits down and talks with Scott Gorham best known for his role in Thin Lizzy and he explains why he decided to not record any new music under that band name.  Finally, Burleigh Drummond, the drummer for Ambrosia, calls Ron up and talks about their upcoming show at the Arcada Theater and the great compliments that Rick Springfield gives.   https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/onesti92614.mp3

  This week on Backstage with Ron Onesti, Ron calls up Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals.  We get to hear a bit about what it was like to be playing such unique music in the wake of the British Invasion, his opinion on what were the major influences and driving forces behind the incredible era(s) of music from the mid 50s to the late 70s, and even a new line of wine that Felix is putting out.  We also get to listen back on two of Ron’s terrific interviews with Jim Peterik from Survivor and the Ides of March and Harry Wayne Casey from KC and the Sunshine Band. https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/onesti91914.mp3

This week on Backstage with Ron Onesti, Ron chats with Pat DiNizio, the lead singer of The Smithereens. Pat gives us insight into the modern music industry and its changing scenery. Ron calls up Lance Hoppen, bassist for The Orleans and talks about carrying on the legacy of his late, great, brother Larry, co-founder of the group. Finally we hear from Tommy Heath of the band Tommy Tutone as he explains the story behind his top of the charts hit, “867-5309/Jenny.”     https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/onesti91214.mp3

This week on Backstage with Ron Onesti, Ron pays tribute to the late great Jimmi Jamison from Survivor who just passed away from a heart attack.  He calls up Jimmi’s buddies, Jim Peterik of Survivor and Kevin Chalfant of Journey as they celebrate the life of such wonderful man.  Ron also stops by the WGN-TV studios and talks with Harry Wayne Casey of KC and the Sunshine Band about his soon to be released new album and his musical career.   https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/onesti9514-update-update.mp3  

This week on Backstage with Ron Onesti, we replay a collection of some of Ron’s favorite interviews thus far including Michael Bolton, Fred Turner and Randy Bachman, Scott Gorham of Black  Star Riders, Artimus Pyle, drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Dana Carvey.   https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/onesti082914.mp3  

This week on Backstage with Ron Onesti, Ron brings you an incredible show with incredible talent.  He talks with Michael Bolton about his collection of duets, and his book, Rich Little about his career and friendship with Judy Garland, Mickey Dolenz from the Monkees and The Cowsills (the Original Partridge Family), and Dana Carvey about how he developed one of his most well known characters on SNL.   https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/onesti082214.mp3  

This week on Backstage with Ron Onesti, Ron talks with Lynard Skynard drummer, Artimus Pyle, about the legacy of Ronnie VanZant, Henry Paul and Monte Yoho of  The Outlaws, David Gray from The Marshall Tucker Band, and Gretchen Wilson and her new musical project she’s got going on.   https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/onesti081514.mp3

This week on Backstage with Ron Onesti, Ron heads to Berwyn born rock star from The Ides of March and Survivor, Jim Peterik’s studio to chat with him about his beginnings in music covering Beatles songs and being commissioned by Sylvester Stallone.  We get to hear an awesome interview with Fred Turner and Randy Bachman of Bachman Turner Overdrive live on stage at the Arcada Theater and Ron decides to turn the tables on WGN’s Pete McMurray and interview him for a change!   https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/onesti72514podcast.mp3