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16th May
2010
written by Matt The Cat

Classic R&B Returns To Radio

My new radio program, “Juke In The Back” aired for the first time on radio.  It will now air Sunday evenings at 7pm Central Time on KZGM 88.1 FM in Cabool, MO.  You can listen online at www.mykz88.com.  I am very excited to be able to bring this great 1950s R&B music back to the airwaves.  Wynonie Harris, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Joe Liggins, Roy Brown, Lavern Baker and coutless others will once again be in the spotlight and I’m so proud to be the guy putting it all together.

Also, “Juke In The Back”‘s new website www.jukeintheback.org launched tonight.  This site provides lots of information for listeners of the show as well as radio stations who might be interested in picking the show up to air.  The show is available to all public and commercial radio stations.

Thanks for all your support.  It’s because you wanted it, that “Juke In The Back” is on its way to what sure to be a long run.

I can’t thank you enough.

Soulfully,

Matt The Cat

1st April
2010
written by Matt The Cat
Some artists simply resonate with radio listeners, and the multiple tributes to Johnny Maestro since his death last week say he was one.
 
New York Daily News
March 31, 2010
 
 By DAVID HINCKLEY

  

  Saturday at midnight on WFUV (90.7 FM), Dan Romanello will salute Maestro on “Group Harmony Review” – which grew out of “The Time Capsule Show,” which launched in March 1963 and whose first-ever voice was Johnny Maestro, leading the Crests on “Sweetest One.”

 

Maestro, a quiet New York kid who became riveting when he took the stage, cut more than a dozen great records with the Crests – a seriously underappreciated vocal group – and then scored again with the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

His work was saluted on WCBS-FM, WFDU, WBZO, WMTR, WVOX, WRSU, WLNG and on Sirius XM – though radio rarely does extended tributes any more unless the artist is on the level of Michael Jackson.

 

Twenty years ago WCBS-FM’s Bobby Jay would have done at least an hour in the Hall of Fame the night Maestro died. That doesn’t happen now, though WCBS-FM (101.1) program director Brian Thomas says listeners still do “appreciate our remembering.”

 

Sirius XM’s Norm N. Nite did a half hour on Maestro, talking with contemporaries like Jay Black, Lou Christie and Dion, and that was good.

 

But since Sirius XM first sold itself as alternative radio, it was frustrating that it no longer has a live weeknight host like Matt the Cat who could have done a longer, more music-based retrospective on an important life and career.

 

Memo to Sirius XM: Bring back MTC.

 

Bobby Jay, meanwhile, says he misses Maestro not only as an artist, but as a friend with whom he often recorded.  

 

“Johnny not only had that distinctive voice, he was a brilliant musician,” says Jay. “He understood vocal harmony. He did all his arrangements and he had a great ear. If 20 people were singing and one was a little sharp or flat, he heard it.

   

 “He was a singer. That’s what he was about. He wasn’t interested in the show biz life. He got off on a major ninth chord.

   

 “He was rock ‘n’ roll’s bel canto singer.”

 

    AROUND THE DIAL: The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM (Sirius 159, XM 117) features extensive Holy Week programming that includes Easter Mass celebrated on Sunday by Pope Benedict XVI. Hear that live at 4:10 a.m. And rebroadcast at 4 p.m. . . . Donny Osmond’s new syndicated nightly show can be heard starting tomorrow, 7 p.m.-midnight, on WBZO (103.1 FM). . . . Friday night, midnight, will Joey Reynolds’s last broadcast on WOR (710 AM). Starting next Monday, George Noory’s “Coast to Coast” moves into that slot.

 
23rd March
2010
written by Matt The Cat

Prowlin’ with Matt The Cat on the Oldies but Goodies Doo Wop Cruise

 

“Matt the Cat is one of the most knowledgeable and respected radio personalities of early Rock n’ Roll. Matt will be the Master of Ceremonies and will host many of the guest activities planned for our Oldies But Goodies Doo Wop Cruise.”
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PR Log (Press Release) – Mar 15, 2010 – Los Angeles, CA — Matt The Cat spent the better part of the last decade howlin’ nightly to a national audience over XM Satellite Radio’s 50s channel. On weeknight The Night Prowl Show with Matt The Cat took radio listeners prowling around the back alleys of early rock n’ roll and rhythm and blues. Matt interviewed and profiled such rock n’ roll legends as Lloyd Price, Aaron Neville, Big Jay McNeely, Dale Hawkins, Earl “Speedo” Carroll of The Cadillacs. Also Earl Lewis of the Channels, Pookie Hudson of The Spaniels, Sonny Burgess, Johnny Maestro and rockabilly guitar king James Burton just to name a few. Matt’s focus on doo wop, R&B, rockabilly and early rock n’ roll is unmatched on American radio today. He delivers the “story behind the story” on the hits that enthusiasts remember and the rarities that should have been hits.

Matt The Cat has spent the last 20 years in radio, beginning at the tender age of 13 when his career began, hosting an Oldies radio show on the little 710 watts community radio station WBMT in Boxford, MA. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he hosted a weekly classic soul music show called “The Soul Bucket.” It was there he interviewed the legendary Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band. Others included Barrence Whitfiled, Bernie Worell, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Luther Guitar Jr. Johnson, and Otis Clay.

Matt The Cat arrived at XM Satellite just before the historic launch of the nation’s first satellite radio company in June of 2001. Matt’s “Night Prowl Show” was the only live, national call-in request show of its kind to focus on the hits. Including the deep tracks that so many early rock n’ roll fans long for. In 2002, Matt The Cat began hosting a weekly R&B show called “Harlem.” He featured the soul that came before rock n’ roll and focused on post WWII rhythm and blues the music that shaped rock n’ roll. Music historian and singer and songwriter Billy Vera often appeared on the show to offer insight on such topics as West Coast doo wop and R&B. Other topics often included were vocal groups with bird names and the history of iconic record labels. Matt became the Music Director of the 50s channel to his duties in 2004 and he continued to host “Harlem” and “The Night Prowl Show” until October of 2008.

Memory Lane Cruises is pleased to announce that Matt The Cat will be joining its “Oldies But Goodies Doo Wop Mexican Riviera Cruise” from April 10-17, 2011. “This is an amazing event and I’m thrilled to be involved with such a legendary line-up. I can’t tell you how excited I am about being able to see the great Arlene Smith sing with The Chantels. I’m equally excited about The Olympics, Johnnie & Joe, The Pentagons, The Elgins and one of the most underrated vocal groups of all-time, The Calvanes. This is going to be one cruise for the history books and it shouldn’t be missed, if you LOVE 1950s rock n’ roll.” said Matt The Cat.

Other Recording artists include The Six Teens, Hearts/Jaynetts, Exciters, Cookies, and Rainbows. Also appearing is Vel Omarr with a Sam Cooke tribute. “Matt the Cat is one of the most knowledgeable and respected radio personalities of early rock n roll. Matt will be our master of ceremonies and involved in the many Doo Wop activities planned for our guests.” said Williams.

On April 10th 2011, the Oldies But Goodies cruise will leave from Los Angeles, California aboard Carnival’s new ship, the Splendor on a seven-day sailing to the Mexican Riviera. You will enjoy the most Romanic and exciting ports of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

Be a part of this history-making event, and join us in bringing back the greatest Doo Wop recording legends of the 50’s-60’s. “There has not been an event this spectacular featuring these sensational Doo Wop artists since those memorable days we spent at the Brooklyn Fox Theater and El Monte Legion Stadium.” said Williams.

Memory Lane Concert Cruises is musical theme cruise operator. Offering world-class concerts of performing artists in an array of music styles aboard luxury liners. http://www.mlccruises.com

Press Contact:
Grant Williams
Memory Lane Concert Cruises, LLC
Los Angeles, CA
541 679 6298
mlccruises@gmail.com
http://www.mlccruises.com

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