About Us
From the Front Row, LLC was created in July 2023 by a group of engineers and musicians with a long history of commitment to helping local musicians share their work with their community. We think live music brings people together - our goal is to create unique and memorable events for the residents of the Midwest and beyond! Each event will be video-recorded and cut into a 30-minute episode, broadcast on public television networks nationwide in Fall/Winter 2026.
We are now accepting tax-deductible donations through Create Wisconsin. Please follow this link to donate.
FAQs
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In Fall/Winter 2026, on public TV! For now, on our Patreon page! The episodes are behind a $5 monthly paywall, cancellable at any time.
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Yes! We have been accepted by NETA, a national television distribution service, and plan to premiere our first season in Summer 2026.
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Join our mailing list or our Patreon! This is the best way to hear about newly posted episodes, live episode shoots, episode watch parties, and updates about our series.
Our Team
Buzz Kemper
Host and Technical Director
Buzz Kemper is the co-owner of Audio For the Arts, a recording studio in Madison established in 1996. In their 27 years of their operation, Audio For The Arts has recorded countless albums and live performances of local musicians, allowing them to create a permanent record of their work to share with their fans and expand their artistic reach. Audio For The Arts has received numerous awards for their work, including Best Producer, Best Live Sound Engineer, Best Studio Engineer, and Best Studio from the Madison Area Music Awards.
Peter C Allen
Executive Producer
Peter Allen is a Broadcast Systems Engineer at the State of WI Educational Communications Board and a WORT 89.9 FM On-Air Host and Producer. He hosts One Fine Morning, a 3-hour music program which includes self-engineered live studio sessions promoting local and nationally touring acts. Peter's commitment to helping artists share their music with their communities is evident throughout his decade-long work in live broadcasting.
Claire Kannapell
Executive Director
Claire Kannapell is a Madison musician with a decade of experience playing electric and double bass (Woodrow, Old Oaks, Toyger, Bigtooth). She received the 2022 Arts + Literature Laboratory Artistic Development Grant for her original project of a Jazz Composition Blitz, coordinating a week-long educational event for amateur jazz composers culminating in a live performance.
Stephanie Benicek
Producer
Stephanie Benicek is an audio engineer, producer, and camera operator based in Madison, WI. Her experience ranges from the recording studio to live events, from concert photography, marketing, hospitality, and concert production management. She is passionate about female representation in the music industry, serving as a staff member for Girls Rock Camp.
Our Mission
From The Front Row recognizes the exceptional music scene in Wisconsin. The Midwest is home to a multitude of world-class artists, and our goal is to connect those artists with a wider audience. We believe that live performances are also a visual art. Our events will place musical artists in unique and important locations across Madison and the surrounding area, spotlighting local watering holes, hidden gems, and historical treasures.
Tori Neels
Social Media Manager
Tori Neels is an audio engineer, camera operator, and musician based in Madison, WI. Her experience ranges from live sound and technical production to digital strategy and social media management. She is passionate about supporting the next generation of artists, serving as a Band Coach and Manager for Girls Rock Camp. When she isn't behind the console or a camera, she is active in the local music scene as the lead singer of Auxiliary Daughter.
Funding for this program was provided by:
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Destination Madison
An organization with a vision to create a resilient community by attracting, welcoming and fostering a sense of belonging with everyone who comes to our capitol city.
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The Evjue Foundation
The charitable arm of the Capital Times.
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The Dane County Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission
Engage, Connect, Inspire
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Latinos Organizing for Understanding and Development
Promoting collaboration between Latino arts and service organizations, artists, and the communities in which they operate.
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Individual Sponsorships
Support for this program was also made possible by a growing list of individual sponsors, including:
Jon Graham
Bill Steffenhagen
Ken Jones
Casey Brant
Denise Robbins
Thad Strom
Yenni Tan
Don Miller
Ingrid Timm
Chris Moore
Eric Johnson
Janine Moore