Performing at HOBART ART THEATER on Saturday, APRIL 8th @ 7:30-9:00pm. Doors Open: 6:30pm.New Jersey native BRET ERNST plays the popular reoccurring character of Louie LaRusso (aka Cousin Louie) on the hit Netflix television series, "Cobra Kai."Along with having a successful acting career, Ernst is currently ranked as one of the nation's fastest rising young stand-up comics in American, and is considered by both his peers and the entertainment media at large, to be one of the best comedians currently doing stand up.Known for hot topic material and his savvy street style, Ernst often hits nerves with his original comedy bits in ways most modern comedians shy away from in the world's now uber-sensitive society. Ernst's comic skills have earned him appearances on Showtime's "Weeds," Kevin Hart's "One Mic Stand," and Comedy Central's "Premium Blend," among others.Northwest Indiana comedy fans can catch BRET ERNST LIVE on SATURDAY, APRIL 8th at The Hobart Art Theater (233 Main St.) in downtown Hobart, IN. Opening the show is Chicago comedian, Abi Sanchez. More at: www.brickartlive.com.

Tune in tonight for Tom 's interview with QUEENSRŸCHE'S guitarist and co-founding member MICHAEL WILTON, and hear several songs from their sixteenth and latest studio album -- "DIGITAL NOISE ALLIANCE. " The recently released album features 11 brand new original songs, plus a unique cover of a classic and surprising '80s radio hit, given the special Queensryche treatment.Be sure to catch Queensrÿche live in concert as the "Digital Noise Alliance Tour" makes stops tomorrow (March 29th at Clyde Theater in Fort Wayne, IN), on Friday (March 31st at Concord Music Hall in Chicago), and on Saturday, April 1st (at The Intersection in Grand Rapids, Michigan).More info on the dates and all things Queensrÿche at: www.queensrycheofficial.com

Former NWI musician LuBecke returns for his first local live performances in over a decade this month, to visit some old haunts and showcase the music from his recent solo albums. After playing with AC/DC the tribute Bonfire and Allman Brothers tribute Eat A Peach for decades, LuBecke was the driving force of the original recording groups Hogtown Packing Co. and Hyper Tribe, before relocating to Florida in 2011.Once in the sunshine state, he formed the band, LÜBECK, and has performed regularly at places like Gloria Estefan's, Disney Springs, Hard Rock Daytona and other resorts all over Florida. Show host/producer Tom Lounges will chat up with Michael LuBecke and spotlight some of his new songs for Lakeshore listeners.

Performing at Hard Rock Casino on March 17th on his "Trouble Is...25th Anniversary Tour"Kenny Wayne Shepherd -- guitarist, singer, and songwriter -- is well into his second decade as a recording/touring artist, a career that began when he was just 17. He was heralded as a child prodigy for the first few years and quickly outgrew that description to become one of the premier blues guitarists of his generation.Shepherd has sold millions of albums worldwide, received five Grammy nominations, taken home two Billboard Music Awards, and assorted other awards and accolades, while charting nine #1 blues albums and a string of #1 mainstream rock singles. Shepherd recently re-recorded his break-through album "Trouble Is..." with the same basic line-up of players and production folks, only with a hind-sight of 25 years.Shepherd talks with show host/producer Tom Lounges about his long musical journey, touring with Bob Dylan, some great advice from Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the approach taken while re-making the landmark "Trouble Is..." album. Kenny Wayne Shepherd performs at Hard Rock Casino on March 17th.

The three members of Ocean's "RAT PACK" -- Tony Ocean, Elliot Wimbush and Bill Serritella -- guest on this edition of "Midwest BEAT with Tom Lounges," as they prepare to bring a touch of old Vegas -- the smoky gin joints, the saloons, and early casinos -- to historic downtown Hobart, IN.

Demotte, Indiana native RYAN NIEMILLER pursued his dream of being a comedian to Los Angeles upon graduating high school.Despite being born with a disability in both arms, Ryan Niemiller, the self-proclaimed “Cripple Threat of Comedy” was a finalist on the hit TV series "America's Got Talent" (Season #14) and since 2019, has found success through national touring at comedy clubs, college campuses, and concert halls with a routine built upon his unique views of the world from the perspective of the handicapped.Niemiller finds humor in his observations of living and succeeding in a world not designed for him, as he tackles the issues in a way that makes you think while laughing. Even his brand logo reflects his disability and was inspired by a bit he used to do about how he isn't good at making shadow puppets. I discuss the logo during the interview and Ryan tells the story, so please include the logo in any promotional postings.His very cool logo is a parody of the Jurassic Park logo. Ryan Niemiller performs at Hobart Art Theater on March 11th.

Danny Lemmon, veteran of the music scene, comes on Tom Lounges show Midwest Beat right here on Lakeshore Public Radio.

This weekend marks the 64th anniversary of the tragic plane crash that robbed the world of Buddy Holly, along with his fellow performers Richie Valens and J.P. Richardson (aka "The Big Bopper").Award-winning performer Kenny James was named the “No. 1 Buddy Holly Tribute in Las Vegas” and “Best Entertainer” in Pigeon Forge. In addition, he has worked with such noted artists as The Drifters, The Coasters, Buddy Knox, Chubby Checker, The Shondells, Marty Stuart, and others.

With Spring on the horizon, singer/songwriter Dan Navarro is back to being a musical nomad, traveling city to city in his trusty van, packed with guitars and other tools of the trade, as he brings songs from his latest album, "Horizon Line", to life for fans.Cuts from "Horizon Line" will be featured during the program as host Tom Lounges chats with Dan about the album, its songs, and the tour that is bringing him back to the Chicagoland.Artist information is found at: www.dannavarro.com.

Tom Lounges will be playing one song from each of the Regionally released albums that landed on my annual "TOM'S TOP 10 REGIONAL ALBUMS OF 2022" list.

In the few years since their formation, Tempt have created a style, verve, vibe and quality that is of their own making. Here is what we have all craved and desired for so long. Namely, a band for the modern era who do not pander to trends. Nor are they dependent on their influences. No, here are four talents who meld and merge into something that is far more than the sum of those considerable parts.So, who are Tempt? They are vocalist Zach Allen, guitarist Harrison Marcello, bassist Chris Gooden and drummer Nicholas Burrows. Aside from Burrows, who comes from Windsor, Ontario, they all hail from New York. But in a way, their geographical location is irrelevant. Because what they have is a sound that appeals to a global community.

Members of Chicago's most talked about holiday musical presentation -- CLASSICAL BLAST -- will guest live from 7-8pm on 89.1-FM Lakeshore Public Radio's weekly "Midwest BEAT" radio program. Selections will be played from the group's now holiday classic album, "Dark Side Of the Yule".Classical Blast’s Dark Side of the Yule holiday concert is a most unique Christmas musical experience which provides a new take on traditional carols, by mashing with rock music from the '60s to current, all performed on a mix of classical and rock instruments and featuring special guests.The live "Dark Side of the Yule" performances includes music by Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Moody Blues, Metallica, Evanescence, and others, mashed up with Christmas classics, medieval carols, and original Classical Blast holiday songs.This year’s show features some new group members and some special guests added to the mix, along with new original music selections and creative new mash-ups, performed with the same outstanding musicianship expected from the critically acclaimed hybrid ensemble known as Classical Blast.

The Ides of March are the longest running Chicago rock group still able to boast of having all of its original founding members - Larry Millas (guitar/vocals), Bob Bergland (bass), Mike Borch (drums) and Jim Peterik (guitar/lead vocals) - dating back to 1964. Scott May (keys/vocals) who joined in 1989 rounds out the band.This broadcaster will serve as the evening's bell jingling, red-nosed stage emcee on Friday. So get a sneak peek at what's in store for this rockin' holiday special event. Tickets & More: www.brickartlive.com.Keep up with the iconic group at: www.theidesofmarch.com.

Chicagoland songwriter and recording artist Dave Rudolf will tonight from 7-8pm on 89.1-FM Lakeshore Public Radio's weekly "Midwest BEAT" radio program. Selections from Rudolf's two newest albums released via indie label, Moneytree Records. Selections from each of those two albums -- "Traditional" and "Sit Down, Take A Number" -- will be spotlighted on the program. Rudolf will perform a song or two live in studio with accompaniment by instrumentalist John Chorney. Keyboardist/organist John Chorney who joins us in studio for this live broadcast is a frequent session player and collaborator of Rudolf.Read more about Dave and his music at: www.daverudolf.com.

MUSICAL GUEST: LOWERTOWNGuest Host: Rockin' Riley MummeyCalling in to chat will be Lowertown -- a fresh young international music duo who are performing with red hot pop sensation BEABADOOBEE on November 29th at The Riveria Theater in Chicago.Lowertown members -- Olive Osby and Avsha Weinbert --create music with moody aesthetics, vulnerable lyrics, and grungy soundscapes. Their latest album is "I Love To Lie" on Dirty Hit Records.Joining show host Tom Lounges in studio to add her own youthful perspective to this interview will be Riley Mummey, the manager and "new music" buyer of The Record Bin in Hobart, IN.

One of the few surviving radio played Chicago rock bands of the early 70's with the original line-up intact, M&R RUSH continues to perform throughout the Midwest annually during the summer months and have amassed a seven album catalog. Two members -Marty Mardirosian (drums) and John McFarland (guitar/vocals) - will guest live in studio to debut songs from the new M&R RUSH vinyl LP on 89.1-FM's weekly program, "MIDWEST BEAT with Tom Lounges".In 2022, a major health scare sidelined the group's summer tour completely and delayed the release of their long anticipate new vinyl album, "Good-Bye City Lights." Cleared to perform, the band has decided to do only ONE live concert to celebrate the release of the new album, their first vinyl in decades.That concert - their only show in 2022 - will happen on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19 at The Hobart Art Theater (230 Main St.) in downtown Hobart, IN. This very special concert performance will be a triple themed event as it celebrates the physical release of their new record album (on both CD and Vinyl LP), the group's return to live performing, and it has also been announced as the FIRST performance of what will mark the official "M&R RUSH 50th Anniversary Tour -- 1973-2023". Special guest that night is Hobart's own rising young rockers The Geddy Trezak Band.M&R RUSH followed in the wake of their Roseland neighborhood friends, STYX, often opening shows for STYX in the early years. In 1979, WLUP-FM aka "The Loop" radio in Chicago chose the song…

"Midwest BEAT with Tom Lounges" welcomes Southern California singer/songwriter Karla Bonoff to talk about her career, her upcoming recording plans, and the current tour that brings her to Chicago's City Winery.Born and raised in California, Bonoff started playing piano and guitar in her early teens and eventually paired up with her sister Lisa for open mic nights at the legendary Troubadour in Los Angeles.The Troubadour is where she met and made friends with a "Who's Who" of future California music legends like Andrew Gold, Jackson Brown, Linda Ronstadt, J.D. Souther, Kenny Edwards, Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Timothy B. Schmidt and many others, who would eventually become part of the musical dream team for her recording sessions, songwriting projects, and touring. Tonight, Karla will talk about working with those folks and what that scene was like from an insider's perspective.Karla's original songs have been recorded by many artists over the years, including Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt and Wynonna Judd.

"Midwest BEAT with Tom Lounges" welcomes Smithereens drummer Dennis Diken to talk about the New Jersey group's history, the newly released "LOST ALBUM," and their upcoming show at Chicago's City Winery on November 2nd, 2022.Known for such popular radio songs as "Blood & Roses", "A Girl Like You", "Only A Memory", "Behind The Wall Of Sleep", and "Strangers When We Meet" The Smithereens have continued to tour with three original members (guitarist Jim Babjak, drummer Dennis Diken and bassist Mike Mesaros) despite the unfortunate death in 2017 of founding lead singer, songwriter, guitarist Pat Dinizio.The band’s lead singer for many of their live concerts, including this show, is another noteworthy veteran of the power-pop scene, MARSHALL CRENSHAW, known for having his own his own noteworthy recording and film career, along with scoring a 1982 Top 40 hit with "Someday, Someway". Marshall carries on the tradition and high standards the band have set for themselves and for their fans over the years.Tune in on the dial or stream it live in real time at: www.lakeshorepublicradio.org.

"Midwest BEAT with Tom Lounges" welcomes Chicago blues guitar great Ronnie Baker Brooks.A legacy artist, as the eldest son of blues guitar icon Lonnie Brooks, blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Ronnie Baker Brooks has carved out an incredible career and legacy of his own since going solo in 1998. After years of playing in his father's band alongside such mega-guitar talents as Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton and B.B. King, to name but a few. Ronnie in an important part of the new wave of Chicago Blues and will impress.

Tyler broke out big in 2013 when at the tender age of 14, she released a duet with her dad of the old Kenny Rogers/Patty Smyth single, "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough," which received considerable country radio airplay. She'll likely bust that one out during Friday's concert, along with her 2018 solo radio hit, "Perfect."Tritt tours with a full band and is treating her audiences to some of the newer songs she is currently in the process of recording. The plan is to release a series of digital singles, before gathering up the best of them for a physical CD.