Series synopsis
Soundstage is an American music television series that premiered on PBS on June 3, 2003.
WTTW’s legendary and groundbreaking music series filmed in the intimate Grainger Studio presents spectacular performances that make you feel like you’re in the front row.
Premise
WTTW’s legendary and groundbreaking music series filmed in the intimate Grainger Studio presents spectacular performances that make you feel like you’re in the front row.
Cast and characters
Guest cast
- Lucinda Williams as Self
- Kris Kristofferson as Self
- Shelby Lynne as Self
- John Fogerty
- Michael McDonald
- Billy Idol
- Rickie Lee Jones
- Richie Sambora as Self
- Travis Tritt as Self
- R.L. Stine
- Seal
- Jackson Browne
Episodes
This series spans 12 seasons with 99 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 2 | December 10, 2009 | December 25, 2009 |
| Season 1 | 13 | June 3, 2003 | November 1, 2003 |
| Season 2 | 14 | November 1, 2004 | |
| Season 3 | 12 | June 30, 2005 | October 13, 2005 |
| Season 4 | 15 | June 29, 2006 | December 23, 2007 |
| Season 5 | 5 | June 14, 2007 | July 19, 2007 |
| Season 6 | 13 | January 10, 2007 | November 27, 2008 |
| Season 7 | 15 | January 8, 2009 | December 25, 2009 |
| Season 8 | 6 | January 21, 2010 | March 4, 2010 |
| Season 9 | 4 | April 28, 2016 | May 19, 2016 |
| Season 10 | 0 | January 5, 2017 | February 9, 2017 |
| Season 11 | 0 | April 5, 2018 | May 3, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S07 Special: Michael McDonald - This Christmas | December 10, 2009 |
| 2 |
S07 Special: Faith Hill - Joy To The World The popular country singer performs Christmas standards from her latest album, backed by an orchestra at Chicago's Sears Centre Arena; songs include "Silent Night," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Joy to the World." |
December 25, 2009 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lyle Lovett, Randy Newman, and Mark Isham Straighten up and Fly Right, Smile, Summerwind, Walking Tall, You’ve Got a Friend in Me, Political Science, I Thinks it’s Going to Rain Today, If I Had a Boat, That’s Right (You’re Not From Texas), What do you do, Church, What’d I Say, I’m Gonna Wait |
June 3, 2003 |
| 2 | Chicago | June 1, 2003 |
| 3 |
Michael McDonald Featuring Doobie Bros. & Ashford & Simpson It Keeps You Running, Sweet Freedom, I Keep Forgettin’, Grapevine, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing, Black Water, Take Me in your Arms Rock Me, Minute by Minute, What a Fool Believes, Takin’ it to the Streets |
July 1, 2003 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Fleetwood Mac: Live in Boston Live in Boston is a live performance by the band Fleetwood Mac, released June 15, 2004. The concert was filmed September 23 and 24, 2003 at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts during the group's Say You Will Tour. The concert is a 2 DVD set, and also comes with a 'sampler' CD, containing the audio of 10 songs from the show. Part of WTTW's Soundstage series which also chronicled Buckingham and Nicks solo in 2005 and 2010 respectively. |
June 17, 2004 |
| 2 |
Sheryl Crow You’re An Original, First Cut Is The Deepest, Leaving Las Vegas, Strong Enough, Members Only, All I Wanna Do, Soak Up The Sun, Everyday Is A Winding Road, Safe & Sound, My Favorite Mistake, Redemption Day, Sweet Rosalyn, Happy, Peace Love & Understanding, Lets Get Free, Home, I Shall Believe, Steve McQueen |
June 24, 2004 |
| 3 |
Ronald Isley and Burt Bacharach The Look Of Love, This Guy’s In Love With You, Anyone Who Had A Heart, Love’s Still The Answer, Here I Am, Windows Of The World, Alfie, Raindreps Keep Falling On My Head, In Between The Heartaches, A House Is Not A Home |
July 1, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael McDonald with Billy Preston, Toni Braxton, Take 6 and India.Arie | June 30, 2005 |
| 2 | John Mayer with Buddy Guy (1) | July 7, 2005 |
| 3 | John Mayer with Buddy Guy (2) | July 14, 2005 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation | June 29, 2006 |
| 2 | Garbage | July 6, 2006 |
| 3 | Bill Laswell Axiom Sound System Musical Freezone | July 13, 2006 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Rob Thomas As one of the most popular voices to emerge in the late-‘90s, Rob Thomas, with his band Matchbox Twenty, |
June 14, 2007 |
| 2 |
Macy Gray Singer-songwriter-performer Macy Gray’s unique voice is instantly recognizable as one of the most distinctive in all of pop music. |
July 5, 2007 |
| 3 |
Dashboard Confessional As one of the most captivating artists to emerge recently, Dashboard Confessional blends acoustic and electric guitar with emotionally packed lyrics to create an indie feel, yet making it fresh and relevant. |
July 12, 2007 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers part 1 Catch Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in this special two-part Soundstage performance as they return to Gainesville, Florida where it all started, to play their first hometown show in 13 years. |
January 10, 2007 |
| 2 |
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers part 2 For Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and fans alike, Live from Gatorville is an emotional and electrifying evening. |
January 17, 2008 |
| 3 |
Lifehouse With Who We Are, Lifehouse singer-songwriter Jason Wade—along with drummer Rick Woolstenhulme and bassist Bryce Soderberg—gets back to the basics of what made him first form the band while still a teenager in suburban California. With all their radio airplay, multi-platinum sales and awards, Lifehouse is still intent on raising the bar, which makes Who We Are a revelation both musically and lyrically. |
January 24, 2008 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Faith Hill: Joy to the World | December 25, 2009 |
| 1 |
Counting Crows Counting Crows have been a huge presence in the music world for over a decade; from their initial hit single “Mr. Jones” to the 2005 Academy Award, Grammy, and Golden Globe nominated “Accidentally In Love.” Headed by the enigmatic Adam Duritz, the San Francisco Bay area band is a global phenomenon, having sold over 20 million albums worldwide. |
January 8, 2009 |
| 2 |
Idina Menzel Idina Menzel reached superstardom on Broadway in two career-defining roles—her Tony Award winning performance in the musical blockbuster "Wicked" and in the revolutionary "Rent." Idina’s debut album, I Stand is a powerful collection of new songs. With Idina’s voice and the talent of legendary Grammy winning producer Glen Ballard, the final outcome is an album filled with pop tunes and heartfelt ballads—intimate yet universal stories of life, its challenges, relationships and of course - the subject of love. |
January 15, 2009 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Tim McGraw Three-time Grammy winner musician Tim McGraw takes to the stage to promote his tenth studio album, "Southern Voice," including songs like "If I Died Today," and sing other favorites, including "Live Like You Were Dying," "Good Girls" and "Still." |
January 21, 2010 |
| 2 |
The Fray Featuring songs from their 2005 album "How to Save a Life" as well as their 2009 eponymous album, music group the Fray performs "Never Say Never," "How to Save a Life," "You Found Me," and "Cable Car," among other fan favorite hits. |
January 28, 2010 |
| 3 |
3 Girls and Their Buddy Musicians Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller take to the stage together to perform "Trouble," "Gasoline and Matches," "Strong Hand (for June)," "Mary" and other Americana hits amid banter and genial rapport. |
February 4, 2010 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Toby Keith The voice behind the ultimate party song, “Red Solo Cup,” as well as countless other hits, Toby Keith has dominated the country industry with his signature honkytonk singing and songwriting skills. Cowboy hats and boots flood Grainger Studio as "Soundstage" goes country when Toby Keith brings the house down! One thing’s for sure: He still is "as good as he once was!" |
April 28, 2016 |
| 2 | Blondie | May 5, 2016 |
| 3 | Kenny Loggins and Friends | May 12, 2016 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bad Company | January 5, 2017 |
| 2 | Jon Secada | January 12, 2017 |
| 3 | Blondie | January 26, 2017 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | April 5, 2018 |
| 2 | Katharine McPhee | April 12, 2018 |
| 3 | Manhattan Transfer/Take 6 | April 19, 2018 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | PBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | June 3, 2003 |
| Last aired | May 19, 2016 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | Returning Series |
| Schedule | Thursday at 20:00:00 |