Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo

Renowned sports talk personality Chris “Mad Dog” Russo joined Sirius XM Radio in 2008 to headline the exclusive all-sports talk channel Mad Dog Sports Radio.

Russo hosts the channel’s anchor program, “Mad Dog Unleashed,” live from SiriusXM’s New York studios every weekday afternoon from 3:00 to 6:00pm ET.  The exclusive show features Russo’s take on the biggest sports stories from around the country and interviews with some of the most intriguing people in sports.  Russo’s on-air role at SiriusXM was recently expanded to include a significant presence on the MLB Network Radio channel on SiriusXM.

Russo also joined MLB Network in 2014 to host his first TV-based baseball talk show, High Heat with Christopher Russo.

Launched Opening Day 2014, High Heat features Russo's signature energetic delivery and passionate opinions on all 30 MLB clubs, plus interviews with players, club personnel, baseball writers and broadcasters.

Known for having helped popularize the sports talk radio format across the country, Russo is a fan favorite for his feisty, unflinchingly candid approach to talking sports and the unrestrained, rapid-fire delivery earned him the nickname “Mad Dog.”  He joined SiriusXM after nearly 20 years on New York radio where he represented one half of the hugely popular Mike and the Mad Dog radio show.

He is the author of two books: The Mad Dog 100: The Greatest Sports Arguments Of All Time and, most recently, The Mad Dog Hall of Fame: The Ultimate Top-Ten Rankings of The Best In Sports. Follow Chris on Twitter @MadDogUnleashed.

"Blonde on Blonde"

Deirdre Imus, Founder of the site devoted to environmental health, ImusEnvironmentalHealth.org, a resource for healthy green living where Deirdre shares tips on how to "green" the way you care for yourself, family and the planet. Everything from the food you eat, the clothes you wear, baby care products, cosmetics, and personal care products, you’ll find practical advice and tips for a healthier lifestyle. Deirdre is a vegetarian for life!

Deirdre is also President and Founder of The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center® at Hackensack University Medical Center and Co-Founder/Co-Director of the Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer. It is the only vegetarian working cattle ranch for kids with cancer.   

Deirdre is a New York Times multiple best-selling author and appears weekly on Imus in the Morning's Blonde on Blonde and Psychos.

The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center® works to ensure children live the healthiest lives possible – today, tomorrow, and decades from now. In her quest to clean up the environment for our kids, Deirdre developed the award-winning Greening The Cleaning® program and product line, which replaces the hazardous ingredients commonly found in cleaning agents with environmentally-responsible, less toxic products wherever possible.  The program and products are used throughout the country in schools, healthcare facilities, and businesses.

Deirdre has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors for her impact as a leader in the field of environmental health, and for raising awareness about childhood chronic illnesses that are in epidemic proportions like autism, asthma, and obesity.  Deirdre serves on the boards of several children’s health organizations, including the National Autism Association, Safe Minds, Generation Rescue, SKIP of New York, East Harlem Council for Human Services, Inc., Boriken Neighborhood Health Center.

Tony Powell

What do you get when you cross the charisma of Eddie Murphy, the irreverence of Chris Rock, and the Old School charm of Bernie Mack? I have no idea, however, I do know that when you add a quick wit, great storytelling ability, and the performance chops of a seasoned pro you have Tony Powell.

Like someone getting chocolate in your peanut butter or you getting peanut butter in their chocolate, accidents have a way of discovering pure artistry. While attending the University of Virginia, Tony Powell was asked to calm an unruly audience. Suddenly all those summer afternoons listening to Richard Pryor, and Bill Cosby albums seemed to have purpose. With his trademark quick wit, and clever impressions, Tony released the comedic genie trapped within to the delight of the unruly audience. Who knew at that moment in time that Powell was about to embark on a comedic odyssey that would lead to appearances on The Chris Rock Show , NBC's Showtime at the Apollo and two appearances on A&E's Comedy on the Road. Powell has made several appearances on The Comedy Channel. Powell has also opened for celebrity musical groups such as The Ojays and the Whispers. He has worked as the studio warm-up act for Bill Cosby and Nickelodeon's Keenan and Kel show. Since December of 2007 Tony has brought his comedic talents, as both a writer and performer, to the nationally syndicated radio program "Imus In The Morning;" heard weekdays from 6-10 AM EST and simulcast on the Fox Business Network..

As an actor, he has recently appeared on several national television commercials (Visa, Dawn Detergent, Ritz Crackers, Snuggle Brand Fabric Softener). Tony was also the radio voice of ''Mr. Chill'' for Miller Genuine Draft and the U.S. Army reserves. Powell’s voice talents have also been featured in national radio spots for Fila and Heineken. Powell is a college campus favorite as well. He has performed at over a hundred colleges and universities.

Growing up in East New York, Brooklyn, survival requires one of three things; you either have to be a great fighter, fleet of foot, or be a whole lotta funny. Let's just say, Tony Powell ain't no Ali or Usain Bolt, he is however, a whole lotta funny.

Peter Kiernan

Peter D. Kiernan, award-winning bestselling author, is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and advisor to businesses, non-profits and government. After a multi-decade Wall Street career, he left in 2000 to pursue venture capital start-ups, nonprofit work and writing. A 25 year Robin Hood Foundation board member, and past Chair and President of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation; he has served on the boards of numerous hospitals, colleges, graduate schools, disability and poverty fighting organizations and charter school initiatives and currently serves on the Al Smith Foundation. A frequent contributor on TV talk shows, radio programs and public speaking forums; Kiernan’s last book, Becoming China’s Bitch won the International Book Award and was a New York Times Bestseller. He holds an MBA from Darden at UVa where he sits on the President’s Advisory Group; and a BA from Williams College and lives in New England with his family.

His latest book “American Mojo: Lost and Found” is a penetrating look at how America has let its core middle class founder and how we are preventing this resilient majority from achieving their destiny.  

Trace Adkins

A Nashville icon for more than two decades, Trace Adkins has made his mark on the country-music industry. 11 million albums sold. Time-honored hit singles. Momentous, fiery and always memorable live performances. Grammy nominations. Even a slew of movie and TV roles have come the Grand Ole Opry member’s way. Ask Adkins what’s left to prove in his career and the small-town Louisiana native says it’s simple: To continually feel the excitement that comes after whipping up a new song out of thin air and laying it down to tape. “It’s an adrenaline rush and I love it,” says Adkins, who spent much of last year in a Nashville studio writing and recording with some of Nashville’s most respected songwriters including Shane McNally, Tyler Farr and Craig Campbell. The result was Something’s Going On, his 12th studio album and his first release on his new label, BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records.

Produced by Mickey Jack Cones, Adkins says Something’s Going On is as much a window into his life as any of his previous albums. “If you really wanted to know who Trace Adkins is, go back and listen to the album cuts on the records I’ve done over my career. Those are the songs that reflect where I was in my head at the time I made that record.” This time lead single “Watered Down — a slow-burning, emotive rumination on growing older, wiser but never losing your killer instinct and edge -- is the track Adkins wholeheartedly believes most accurately expresses his outlook on life and career at this stage in the game. “I’ve never finished a record and said, ‘OK, this is my favorite cut off this album,’” he recalls. “But this time there’s no bones about it. That’s my favorite cut. It just speaks to my soul.”

In his 2007 autobiography, A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck, the towering baritone recounts his rise to fame, brushes with death, and battles with personal demons. Adkins says he’s profoundly touched that he now serves as an inspiration to a younger generation of country artists, much in the way he revered icons like Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard when first moving to Nashville. Lest you think however that Adkins has lost any of his trademark passion and killer instinct for his craft, the 55-year-old is as fired up as ever to be back on the road touring behind Something’s Going On.

Adkins has won three Academy of Country Music Awards, including the 2009 Single of the Year Award for “You’re Gonna Miss This” and Vocal Event of the Year with Blake Shelton for “Hillbilly Bone” in 2010. He is also an accomplished actor with roles in several films and television shows, most notably playing a tough-as-nails biker in The Lincoln Lawyer, a desperate father in Deepwater Horizon, and a wise oracle of a tattoo artist in the family friendly film Moms' Night Out. But he is perhaps most proud of his work supporting U.S. troops and veterans, serving as a spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Project and participating in an astounding 12 USO tours to date.

Ask Adkins where he goes from here and he’ll say it’s simple: keep doing what he knows and love. Performing. Creating. Inspiring. He adores it, and he knows so many of his lifelong fans, and new ones to boot, do too. “I’m gonna go out there and find those people,” he says with a laugh of the coming months. “I’m gonna bring a band and turn it up real loud! And we’re gonna have a good time!”

"Battle of the Bands"

The I-Man and the Imus in the Morning gang compare original songs to contempary renditions.