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Saturday, June 30, 2007

Jimmie Rodgers Surgery: A Success!!


Here is an email sent by Michael Rodgers, Jimmie Rodgers son regarding the surgery Jimmie went through on Thursday, June 28th to remove the steel plate that was put in his head 40 years ago.

The surgery began that morning with a group prayer with the Dr's and family.Dad was in great spirits talking with the nurses and the admitting staff and even signed a few autographs for them. He didn't seem to have a worry in the world but deep down I know he was nervous.When they wheeled him into the operating room the surgeons had "Jimmie Rodgers Greatest Hits" on the CD player.Dad suggested that they turn that guy off as he didn'y really like that guy to much (Ha). They all laughed and asked what he wanted to hear. Dad said how about a little Johnny Cash. And so Johnny sang dad to sleep.Once he was out cold they put JR back on the music system and left it on the rest of the surgery.

About four minutes after beginning, the Doctors pulled back the scalp to reveal the plate. When they did that the plate literally lifted up and jumped up away from his head. The Doctors, five in all a Neuro Surgeon, Two Plastic Surgeons,Two Stem Cell Specialists and the rest of the team began to clean the plate and lift it away from the head. It released itself and came away clean. On the video tape of the surgery we could hear the Neuro Surgeon say Oh my God look at that. How did that get there? Under the plate was revealed a complete and intact skull bone where three months ago there was none.The entire hole in the bone which was an eight inch by six inch oval had grown completely closed with a new skull bone which was smooth and shaped to match the existing skull. It was perfect in every way and was the same thickness as the other bone.The Droctors said that in 35 years of surgery they had never seen anything like it.


They did not need to recreate a new skull bone at all. Dad was completely healed and made whole again after 40 years.The stem cell Doctors sprayed a stem paste made from dads blood over the skull bone and onto the skin flap and the Plastic Surgeons closed him up. The stem paste will keep him from swelling and will encourage skin growth onto the bone.The entire procedure took about 28 minutes and after one hour in recovery Dad walked out of the room on his own much to the anger and dismay of the nursing staff. He spent one night in the hospital and was released yesterday.

When we left the hospital yesterday he was hungry so we went to a nearby Olive Garden restaurant for lunch. You should have see everyone's face when dad walked in with this turban bandage on his head. It was very funny.As of this morning June 30, 2007 he went bass fishing and when I spoke to him about an hour ago he had landed two.My father and our family want to personally thank everyone who has sent emails and well wishes from around the world. Your prayers and positive thoughts were heard and all of our lives have been changed in such an amazing way.

We cannot thank you enough. So if anyone asks you how Jimmie Rodgers is doing please tell them that he is completely healed and is in perfect health.

Congratulations to Jimmie Rodgers and I look forward to having him on The Night Prwol Show again soon.

-MTC

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Thursday, June 28, 2007

Harlem: Week of 7/2/07 - Johnny "Guitar" Watson

Johnny "Guitar" Watson

Johnny "Guitar" Watson is one of the most underrated R&B guitar players of the 1950s. He began his career as a piano player for Chuck Higgins' band before jumping ship as a solo performer for Federal Records in 1953. He scored his biggest hit of the '50s with the Bihari Brothers RPM Label in 1955 with his cover of Earl King's "Those Lonely Lonely Nights". This week, you'll hear the best of Watson's 1950s recordings, including a demo version of the infamous "Gangster Of Love", which at that time was called "Bandit Of Love". Don't miss it as Matt The Cat reveals the story behind the story on one of the original bad boys of R&B.

Harlem Airs On XM 5:
Monday 7/2 @ 1pm EST
Tuesday 7/3 @ 9pm over LA and Midnight over NYC
Friday 7/6 @ 6pm EST
Sunday 7/8 @ 11am EST
Happy 4th Of July!

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Thursday, June 21, 2007

Harlem: Week Of 6/25/07 - First Rock Record?

What Was The First Rock n' Roll Record?


This week HARLEM looks at the contenders for the first rock n' roll record by examining the most influential rhythm & blues releases between 1945 and 1955. Whether it's Illinois Jacquet's horn, Wynonie "Mr. Blues" Harris' voice, Fats Domino's piano or Louis Jordan's humor, one thing is for certain; these songs ROCK! Matt The Cat takes an in-depth look at how records like "It's Too Soon To Know", "Cadillac Boogie", "Rocket 88" and "Sixty Minute Man" changed the course of American Music. Authors Billy Vera, Steve Propes and Jim Dawson join Matt on his quest for R&B treasure.

Harlem Airs on the 50s on 5:

Monday 6/25 @ 1pm EST
Tuesday 6/26 @ 9pm PST and Midnight EST
Friday 6/30 @ 6pm EST
Sunday 7/2 @ 11am EST


VOTE for what YOU think is the FIRST ROCK N' ROLL RECORD at http://www.mattthecat.com/forum/ and clock on the NIGHT PROWL SHOW topic. Take the poll! Voice your choice, baby!

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Friday, June 15, 2007

Harlem: Week Of 6/18/07 - Roy Brown

Roy
Brown


Roy Brown wrote and recorded the original "Good Rockin' Tonight" for De-Lux Records in 1947. He had the biggest selling R&B record of 1950 with "Hard Luck Blues" and recorded the original "Let The Four Winds Blow" before Fats Domino got his hands on it. This week HARLEM pays respect to one of the true fathers of Rock n' Roll. Roy Brown IS the soul that came before rock n' roll. Roy Brown IS HARLEM, only on the 50s on 5.

Harlem Airs on the 50s on 5:
Monday Afternoon 6/18 @ 1pm EST
Tuesday Night 6/19 @ 9pm over LA - midnight over NYC
Friday Night 6/22 @ 6pm over NJ
Sunday Morning 6/24 @ 11am over Boston

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Thursday, June 07, 2007

Harlem - Week Of 6/11/07 - Eddie Rich Of The Swallows

Eddie Rich Of The Swallows Joins Matt The Cat


On Harlem



Eddie Rich, the original lead tenor of the Baltimore R&B vocal group The Swallows joins Matt The Cat on this week’s Harlem. Eddie will share stories of how The Swallows got signed to King Records in 1951 as well as what it was like to tour the South during the 1950s. The Swallows are mostly remembered today for their risqué classic, “It Ain’t The Meat”, but there is so much more to this wonderful group. Matt the Cat uncovers the Swallows greatest recordings this week on Harlem.


Harlem Airs On The 50s on 5:
Monday 6/11 @ 1pm over Baltimore
Tuesday 6/12 @ 9pm over LA – Midnight over NYC
Friday 6/15 @ 6pm over Philly
Sunday @ 11am over Atlanta

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Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Legends Return To Night Prowl - June 11th & 12th

Monday, June 11, 2007

By popular demand, Legendary Rockabilly Hero Jerry Naylor returns to the Night Prowl Show for another in-depth talk with Matt The Cat on the origins and influence of Rockabilly Music. Jerry knew everybody from Johnny Cash to Johnny Horton and he'll share the story behind some of the greatest Rockabilly records of ALL TIME!

For more info on Jerry and to buy his "Rockabilly Legends" DVD and CDs, visit: rockabillylegends.com.



Tuesday, June 12, 2007

The great Billy Vera has produced yet another amazing box set. The singer/songwriter/soul man/composer/producer's latest is for Rhino Handmade and celebrates the 60th anniversary of Atlantic Records. "Atlantic Blues: 1949-1970" is an absolutely amazing set and Billy will jump onto the satellite to walk us through some of the greatest tracks, featuring Professor Longhair, Stick McGhee, T-Bone Walker and many more. Spend Bluesday Tuesday with Billy Vera on the Night Prowl Show and visit: rhinohandmade.com on June 12 to purchase the box set.