Laugh tracks: Touring acts blaze trail off the beaten path to remote Arthur comedy club
“When you think you’ve gone too far, just come a little farther because we’re still down the road.”
Tom Alesia
February 3, 2008
Features
Seeking Annie: For many at audition, the sun won’t come out tomorrow
“This is a job. That means if you wake up some day and don’t feel like coming, it doesn’t matter. You have to be here.”
Tom Alesia
April 18, 2004
‘Chump Change’: The Priceless, Wild Ride of a Hilarious Wisconsin film bought by Miramax
An acclaimed Wisconsin comedy film was bought by Miramax and never received a theatrical release. What happened with the hilarious ‘Chump Change’?
Tom Alesia
November 23, 2003
How Miss Wisconsin, a medical doctor at age 22, finds passion in pageant
Tina Sauerhammer’s remarkable young life from doctor to Miss Wisconsin.
Tom Alesia
June 29, 2003
Shirley Abrahamson’s rise from Indiana’s top law student to Wisconsin’s most prominent judge
Abrahamson says she never faced gender discrimination at IU – until graduation approached. The school’s dean suggested she leave the state to begin her career. “I was quite surprised,” she says. “He didn’t think the Law School could place me except, perhaps, as a law librarian in a law firm.”
Tom Alesia
November 25, 2002
Susan Hawk, the Wisconsin native who changed reality TV forever
On the first ‘Survivor’ finale, seen by 58 million people, Hawk savaged another contestant: “I would let the vultures take you and do whatever they want with you with no ill regrets.”
Tom Alesia
August 18, 2002
Blind bowlers: Lack of sight doesn’t stop competitive scene at alley
“Do you know what we call our league? The Madison Outta Sight Bowling League.”
Tom Alesia
March 27, 2002
Medical miracle: Woman, 55, becomes ‘people’ doctor after decades as vet
“I’ve worked around the clock forever,” says Holland, a veterinarian for decades. Her medical residency will not be finished until she is 59, but she plans to practice medicine, she says confidently, “for 15 to 20 years after it.”
Tom Alesia
May 14, 2000
Madison’s Onion on the cusp of comedy superstardom
“It’s a scary thought when I think, ‘What if I submitted to the Onion now? Could I get in?’ And I’m the editor,” Robert Siegel said. “We don’t even follow up on the good submissions we get.”
Tom Alesia
March 28, 1999
One of a fading breed, he tickles the ivories as lounge pianist
“I used to ask, `Would you like to hear something?’ But that puts people on the spot. Now I say, `Let me know if you want to hear something.’ ”
Tom Alesia
May 8, 1998
Promoter of Otis Redding’s fatal concert recalls crash
“We were told they were busing in from Cleveland. That’s why when I got the first phone call from the police, I didn’t believe it.”
Tom Alesia
August 14, 1997
One hit and wonder: The mysterious story behind the duo that made Wisconsin’s first hit song
Known as the Fendermen, Humphrey and Sundquist recorded “Mule Skinner Blues” – a record with a rockabilly beat and yodel-like “hee-hee-haw-haw” chorus – in the basement of a Middleton home 35 years ago.
Tom Alesia
February 23, 1995
Concert chaos: Bedlam reigns in brutal concert mosh pits
When stage light exposes the area, the mosh pit resembles a swarm of bees and, at its worst, rugby in an elevator. It’s like a big whirlpool in the middle of a lake.
Tom Alesia
October 15, 1994
Family ties: Master bluesman Eddie Snow and son James
While Eddie Snow rehearsed “Bring Your Love Back Home to Me” at Sun Records, a visitor walked up to him. It was Elvis Presley.
Tom Alesia
March 9, 1990