Harlem

Part 1

Syd Nathan launched KING RECORDS in 1944 as a country & western label in his native Cincinnati. He controlled every aspect of the business from recording, record pressing, album jacket printing and even distribution. He got into the R&B; market in 1947 with the signing of Bull Moose Jackson. For the next 2 weeks, Matt The Cat digs deep into the satellite vaults to feature the hit, misses and influence of this “king of all labels”. There will be vocal group sounds from The Midnighters, The Swallows, The Dominoes and the “5” Royales as well as down-home R&B; from Bull Moose, James Brown, Little Willie John and Freddy King. This is part 1 of a 2 part special on The King Records Story.

Harlem Airs on the 50s on 5:
Monday 7/30 @ 1pm EST
Tuesday 7/31 @ 9pm PST and midnight EST
Friday 8/03 @ 6pm EST
Sunday 8/05 @ 11am EST

A year ago on July 26th, we lost one of R&B;’s most beloved and influential artists; Floyd Dixon. Bill Wax from XM’s Bluesville and Matt The Cat had the privilege to speak to Floyd only a few months before he died. This week, “Harlem” looks back on the amazing career of Floyd Dixon with many of Floyd’s stories told in his own words. From the original “Hey Bartender” (covered by The Blues Brothers) to “Dallas Blues” and “Call Operator 210”, Floyd was a blues original. His story airs this week on “Harlem”.

Harlem Airs on the 50s on 5
Monday 7/23 @ 1pm ET
Tuesday 7/24 @ midnight ET
Friday 727 @ 6pm ET
Sun 7/29 @ 11am ET

This one’s for Floyd!

Matt The Cat

Larry Darnell was the biggest R&B; artist of 1950 and the top selling artist of all time for Regal Records, but you’d never know it today. By the end of the 1950s, his flame of popularity had virtually blown out, but back at the beginning of the decade it was burning strong and bright. This week, I’m going to set the record straight and bring Larry Darnell back to glory days by spotlighting some of his greatest records from 1949’s immortal “I’ll Get Along Somehow” to 1957’s “Ramblin’ Man”. Don’t miss a single tear drop with Larry Darnell, a true R&B; legend on HARLEM with Matt The Cat.

Harlem Airs at:
Monday @ 1pm EST
Tuesday Night @ 9pm PST & Midnight EST
Friday @ 6pm EST
Sunday @ 11am EST