Friday Night Cat Fight Show

The

History Of

“Midnight Special”

The “Midnight Special” is a traditional folk tune about a passenger train that roared past a prison every night. The singer of the tune dreamed of the freedom that waited just outside his prison walls. It was first committed to paper in 1905, but didn’t appear on record until 1926 when Dave “Pistol Pete” Cutrell recorded it for Okeh with some new lyrics that referenced his band. Leadbelly popularized the song after he let Alan Lomax record him singing it for the Library Of Congress in 1934. The song entered the R&B charts as an instrumental in 1948 with Tiny Grimes cutting it for the then new Atlantic Label. In 1952, The Weavers had a small hit with is, but it didn’t hit the Rock n’ Roll Era until Big Joe Turner cut it in 1957. From there, it became a pop hit for Paul Evans in 1960 and Johnny Rivers in 1965. Credence Clearwater Revival included their inspired version of “Midnight Special” on their 1969 LP, “Willie & The Poor Boys”. This week, 7 versions of the tune (Leadbelly to CCR) will be competing for YOUR Vote. For historical purposes, I do include the original 1926 recording by Dave Cutrell.

I’ll also take a look at some of the popular songs that were recorded on THIS DAY (5-21-10) in rock n’ roll history.

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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

Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show

“Fever”

Little Willie John first recorded “Fever”, a song written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell (as John Davenport) in 1956 for King. It was a #1 smash on the R&B charts and it even crossed over to #24 on the elusive pop charts. The tune was so popular that it led to many immediate covers. In 1957, both Ray Peterson and Earl Grant took a crack at it. Then in 1958, Peggy Lee put her unique, seductive stamp on it and it rose to #8 on the pop charts and an incredible #5 on the R&B lists. In 1960, Elvis featured “Fever” on “Elvis Is Back,” his first LP after being discharged from the Army. Alvin Robinson bubbled under the Hot 100 in 1964 with a great retelling of the song and the McCoys followed up their “Sloopy” success with a top ten version of “Fever” in 1965. Now, listen to them all and decide which one you truly DIG THE MOST!

Also on this week’s program, we feature some birthday tributes to Bobby Darin, Troy Shondell and Charlie Gracie.

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