Dan Zanes seems to always be having fun. Whether it's on his four CD releases, one of which won a Grammy (Catch That Train!), or his live concerts, the exuberance and passion he feels for roots music is palpable to anyone listening. And lately, kids and their parents have put his music into heavy rotation on their iPods.

Listen to Thomas Mulready's exclusive Cool Cleveland interview with Dan Zanes as they talk about his new record, The Welcome Table: Songs of Inspiration, Mystery & Good Times, and how he gets such a live feel to his recordings.

Dan Zanes and Friends will rock the Independence Middle School on Fri 3/27 at 6:30PM for the National Autism Association, Northeast Ohio chapter and their benefit event, which helps individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families access necessary treatments. Listen to the podcast by clicking here, and reserve your tix to see him at the National Autism Association benefit here: http://autismnortheastohio.org/special_events.php (:divend:)