Famous Wisconsin Musicians

Profilesofover 30 musicians with a Wisconsin connection such as Liberace, Hildegarde, Jeff Pilson, Ben Sidran, Richard Davis and Steve Miller. Foreword by electric guitar inventor and guitarist Les Paul.

- This book profiles well-known artists and architects as well as lesser known off-beat characters.

From Agnes Morehead to the Zucker Brothers, Wisconsin has produced a large cast of film stars. They include serious actors like Spencer Tracy and Gena Rowlands; comics like Chris Farley and Gene Wilder; and directors like Orson Wells and Nicholas Ray.

An extensive, upbeat compilation of Wisconsin’s jazz musicians Although New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago are often considered the epicenters of American jazz, this extensive, upbeat compilation of jazz musician biographies details Wisconsin’s rich association the genre since its the inception of the genre in the early 1900s. Iconic musicians Bunny Berigan, Woody Herman, Les Paul, and Al Jarreau all hailed from Wisconsin, as have many other influential players, composers, and teachers. Wisconsin Riffs features these musicians side-by-side—from the world-renowned to obscure regional artists—to portray a comprehensive history of jazz in Wisconsin. Through meticulous research and more than a hundred interviews, author Kurt Dietrich has assembled a group of musicians who represent a wide range of backgrounds, ages, stylistic schools, and experiences—from leaders of swing-era big bands to legendary Wisconsin Conservatory instructors to today’s up-and-coming practitioners of contemporary jazz and jazz rock. For aspiring musicians, jazz enthusiasts, and fans of Wisconsin culture alike, Wisconsin Riffs presents a compelling, complex, and multi-layered concoction—just like jazz itself.

The Local Music Journey: Thoughts, advice and inspiration for your independent music career offers practical advice and tips for those beginning their indie music career and for those veteran indies who need to refresh their indie music drive. Beyond the useful advice that you'll be able to apply to your indie music career immediately, the book is full of insightful interviews from independent musicians and music professionals. The interviews offer positive encouragement and camaraderie, which is needed among our growing indie music community. The idea is that even in this Internet-age, by being a resourceful, entrepreneurial independent musician success on a small level will build toward successes on a larger level. That said, by starting one's indie music career locally it can allow for some immediate successes that become steps toward regional and even national successes--start locally, and then take over the world.

"Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" is a center stage front row seat to the late 70s rockexplosion seen through the eyes of rock journalist/radio host Masino. (Music)