Posted by madcityradio.com on September 28, 2008 at 18:29:53:
Progressive talk host Ed Schultz coming to Madison
For one night next month, the Barrymore will become "where America comes to talk."
Nationally syndicated progressive radio host Ed Schultz, who regularly uses that description for his daily three-hour show, will tape a town hall meeting at the Barrymore Theatre immediately following the third presidential debate on Wednesday, Oct. 15, and air it the next day. Schultz is heard locally from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on "The Mic," 92.1 FM.
"We're coming to Madison because 'The Mic' is a great affiliate. That's the first thing," Schultz said in an interview Thursday. "The second thing is the political climate in Wisconsin is more than interesting right now. The third thing is that we've decided to take the microphone across the country to places that are politically toxic, so to speak."
In what he calls his "Voices of America Tour," Schultz has taken his show on the road to a number of cities, including Anchorage, Alaska; Seattle; Columbus, Ohio; and Burlington, Iowa. Upcoming stops are planned in Pittsburgh; Asheville, N.C.; and New York City.
"We're getting the West Coast, the middle of the country, a Southern state in North Carolina and then the biggest market in the country," Schultz said. "We're trying to get a really good cross section of different parts of the country and put the microphone out in front of people. We find that in a live audience people get more passionate, more empowered."
Schultz said the timing of the Madison stop will make it especially raucous.
"This town hall meeting is going to be interesting because it'll be on the heels of the third (presidential) debate," he said. "That's if (John) McCain doesn't weasel out of it. The audience will be what I call freshly opinionated."
McCain this week said he was taking a break from the campaign to concentrate on the nation's fiscal crisis and called for this Friday's debate to be delayed. The fate of the debate is still unknown.
Schultz said he has not yet decided whether local guests, other than audience members, will be part of the show.
"The last time Ed was in town (in April 2007), the political climate wasn't what it is now," said Brian Turany, program director at The Mic. "It's going to be a fun night. It's always exciting for our listeners. It's exciting for me personally and for (local morning host) Lee Rayburn to meet these people. It's a great chance for listeners to rally around their favorite hosts and meet them in person."
Turany said Schultz's appearance could have an impact on the November election.
"Ed's coming here because we're a swing state and he wants to get the word out across the country for people who worry about Wisconsin going one way or another," Turany said. "He's broadcasting from an area that will go, I think, pretty solidly for (Barack) Obama. He wants to get out there what we're thinking and that we're passionate."
Turany also noted that even within Wisconsin, Schultz reaches well beyond the liberal Madison market, since he is carried on affiliates in Amery, Stevens Point and Racine.
"His show hits some places that are more toss-up areas. There will be an impact," Turany said.
Schultz normally broadcasts from Fargo, N.D. He is syndicated by the Jones Radio Network on more than 100 affiliates, two satellite radio systems and the Armed Forces Network.
Schultz follows fellow Jones Radio Network talker Stephanie Miller as well as Air America Radio hosts past -- Al Franken, now running for Senate in Minnesota -- and present -- daytime host Thom Hartmann and evening host Rachel Maddow -- in broadcasting from Madison.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The presidential debate will be shown at 8 p.m. Schultz will take the stage at approximately 9:30 p.m.
General admission tickets are $20; VIP tickets are $50 and limited to 100. Advance tickets are available at www.wegoted.com.
(tct)