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Sittin' In With The CAT

Classic Artists Today's "Sittin' In With The CAT" features interviews with legacy bands and performers from the Classic Rock, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Pop and Oldies genres. Ray White, multi-award nominated host of Classic Artists Today and Coool CAT, internationally syndicated radio show, brings you the latest from the musicians from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's who have sold hundreds of millions of albums. We'll talk with them about the past...present...and future.
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Now displaying: 2021
Dec 26, 2021

Eric Gales launched his music career signing with a major label at 16 years old.  His first single was Top 10 on the "mainstream rock chart," and his career was off and running.  Throughout his music career, the road for Eric has had its ups and downs, but today he's back stronger than ever - getting ready to release his 19th album.  Award-winning program director Ray White hooked up with Eric backstage before a standing-room only performance in November of 2021, to talk about his start in the music business and his rebirth, including working with his longtime friend Joe BonamassaCrown is the title of his upcoming album and reinforces his stature among the top blues rock guitarists in the world!  In our showcase segment, we take a look back at 2021 featuring the Foo Fighters, whose latest album is Medicine at Midnight, and Coldplay who recently released their Music of the Spheres project.  Two "classic" bands that ended the year at the top of the CAT's charts!  You better believe it, Classic Artists Today is rockin' right into the New Year!!   

Dec 3, 2021

The Yardbirds formed in London in 1963 and launched the careers of three of the greatest guitarists in Rock and Roll history - Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck.  Inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, the band had 5 Top 20 hits in the U.S.  Their albums landed on the charts 6 times leading to the band being named by Rolling Stone magazine as "100 Greatest Artists of All Time."  We sat down with drummer and co-founder Jim McCarty in May of 2010 to talk about the historic band and their last studio album Birdland.  The group still performs today and their latest release, captured in concert, is titled Making Tracks.  In our showcase segment, we continue the Bristish Invasion theme by featuring Paul McCartney, whose latest project is McCartney III, and the progressive rock stalwarts YES, who recently released The Quest.  The British are Coming...The British are Coming, right here on this episode from Classic Artists Today!

Nov 22, 2021

10,000 Maniacs were mainstays in the alternative rock genre in the late 1980's through the mid-1990's.  Celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, the multi-platinum selling band maintains their free-flowing sound today with their lead singer and violinist Mary Ramsey, front and center.  The bands co-founder, Steve Gustafson joins Mary in huddling up on their tour bus, before performing in September of 2021, to talk with award-winning CAT host Ray White about their latest music.  Steve and Mary also share insights about the history of the band, technology in the music industry and their latest release -Live at the Belly Up.  Catch more about the band on Episode 082 of our show, when co-founder Dennis Drew hangs with us.  In our showcase segment, we travel back taking a look at the career of Graeme Edge, who was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 as a member of The Moody Blues.  He was the last of the original members that was with the band until they disbanded several years ago.  Graeme, who also was leader of The Graeme Edge Band throughout the 70's, left this physical world on November 11, 2021.  Alternative and Progressive Rock...you'll find the latest on Classic Artists Today.

Nov 7, 2021

Al Stewart is a phenomenal folk-rock musician who has 16 studio albums, since the late 1960's.  After releasing 6 albums he hit paydirt on his Year of The Cat release in 1976.  The album was certified platinum and to celebrate its 45th anniversary, a remastered release has recently been issued which includes previously unreleased concert tracks.  Ray White, the CAT's award-winning program director, sat down with Al in September of 2011 to talk about his last studio album Sparks of Ancient Light and several highlights during his storied career.  In our showcase segment we'll feature Ringo Starr, who has a new EP out titled Change The World.  Closing out this episode we'll remember the front man of the 60's pop band Jay and the Americans - Jay Black, who passed away on October 22, 2021.  Awesome musicians who launched their respected careers in the 1960's - an evolutionary time for pop and rock music.  We have them, on the CAT!

Oct 17, 2021

Firefall's drummer Sandy Ficca and lead vocalist/guitarist Gary Jones join us on this episode.  Award-winning program director Ray White talked with the two newest members (Sandy since 1984 and Gary since 2014) in August of 2021, about the band's newest album Comet and their songwriting contributions to the first studio album by Firefall since 1994.  Be sure to hear from other members of the band on Episodes 1, 15, 24, 42, 85 and 93.  In our showcase segment we feature the latest by Jackson Browne - who has a new release called Downhill From Everywhere and the amazing Santana who just dropped their latest album Blessings and Miracles.  From the 70's through today...the best from your favorite classic artists on the CAT!

Oct 3, 2021

Mike Finnigan is known throughout the world as a master on the Hammond B3 organ and plays all other keyboards too - along with providing background vocals.    You'll find his work on albums and tours with bands including Crosby Stills & Nash, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, Dave Mason and even Jimi Hendrix!  He's been a regular with The Phantom Blues Band for several decades.  Mike passed away on August 11, 2021 and award-winning program director Ray White shares Mike's June of 2012 interview insights on this episode - including his time with Jimi and much, much more.  The tributes continue with recognizing the great work of Don Everly of The Everly Brothers, who died on August 21, 2021.  Two legends in the world of popular music are memorialized on this edition of the CAT

Sep 19, 2021

Pablo Cruise, formed in 1973, had two platinum albums and five Top 25 singles during their career.  Since the mid-1980's the band periodically played for special events and occasions.  In 2017 the band started playing again on a regular basis.  In our August of 2021 interview, the CAT's Ray White caught up with Cory Lerios and David Jenkins after their live performance to talk about the early days of the band, their new single Breathe and much more.  In our showcase segment we feature the latest from The Doobie Brothers, who will release a new album in the fall of 2021 titled Liberte.  We'll close out our show with a tribute to to one of rock's favorite drummers Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones, who passed away on August 24, 2021 at the age of 80.  A jammed packed 30-minutes of the best from Rock and Roll...we've got it on Classic Artists Today.   

Sep 4, 2021

Jimmy Hall, co-founder of Wet Willie in 1970, has been part of the foundation of southern rock for over 50 years.  The band has had 8 charting albums throughout their career.  Jimmy, singer/saxophonist/harmonicist, has also released 10 albums as a solo artist or collaborator.  Multi-award winning program director, Ray White, caught up with Jimmy by the oceanfront in September of 2010 to talk about his Build Your Own Fire album, Wet Willie and being one of the key bands on the legendary record labels -Capricorn Records.  In our showcase segment we honor the late, and great Dusty Hill of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band ZZ Top, who passed away on July 28, 2021.  You can call it country or southern rock... we have the groundbreaking bands right here on Classic Artists Today.

Aug 21, 2021

Paul Cotton, a mainstay in Poco for nearly 40 years, is featured in this tribute episode.  Starting his nationally recognized music career with Illinois Speed Press in 1968, he went on to replace Jim Messina in Poco in 1970.  Paul, along with Poco's co-founder Rusty Young, were at the forefront of the band during their most commercially successful years.  Paul passed away on August 1, 2021, just a few months after Rusty's passing (Episode103).  Multi-award winning program director Ray White reaches back, revisiting an interview with Paul in December of 2006, to talk about the band's favorite place to play - Wildwood Springs Lodge, his solo work and time with Jimi Hendrix.  A look back at the fabulous career by a one-of-a-kind musician, Paul Cotton.  The legendary bands and their members... we have them on the CAT!

Aug 7, 2021

Billy Greer, bassist and vocalist for Kansas, has been a mainstay in the band for 36 years.  You'll also find him leading his own band Seventh Key when not recording or touring with Kansas.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Billy on tour during 2012, just after the There's Know Place Like Home DVD/CD was released.  Along with that recording, Billy also provided insights into his Native Window and Seventh Key bands.  We also pay tribute to longtime Kansas member Robby Steinhardt, who passed away on July 17, 2021.  Kansas' latest album, The Absence of Presence, landed in the Top 10 of Billboards' Top Albums chart.  In our showcase segment, we feature the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, Yes!  In October of 2021 they'll release a new album titled The Quest.  The pinnacle of progressive rock interviews and bands, right here on The CAT!

Jul 25, 2021

David Lowery fronts two bands - Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven and even has several solo albums.  You'll fine Cracker on the record charts, on a regular basis, during the early-to-mid 1990's.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White sat down with David on his tour bus during their first stop on the concert circuit, post-Covid.  David shares his insights into his new solo album Leaving Key Member Clause, the latest by Cracker - Berkeley To Bakersfield and by Camper Van Beethoven - El Camino Real.  He also talks about technology and how it's changed strategy for his bands.  In our "showcase segment," we feature the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Journey.  They've just released their first new song in over a decade and features new members Randy Jackson, Narada Michael Walden and Jason Derlatka.  Cutting edge and mainstream rock...you'll find it on Classic Artists Today!

Jul 10, 2021

Chuck Leavell, current member of The Rolling Stones also played with Dr. John, The Allman Brothers Band, and formed Sea Level, joins us on Part 2 of our interview from February of 2021.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White, gets additional insights from Chuck about recording with Greg Allman on his Laid Back release while also working on The Allman Brothers' Brothers and Sisters project, the formation of Sea Level and being a member of The Rolling Stones.  He also shares with us information of his recently released The Tree Man documentary film.  Be sure to listen to Part 1 of our interview on Episode 101, too!  We have the legacy musicians - who you listened to and saw in concert during your youth, right here on The CAT!

Jun 21, 2021

John Hall co-founded Orleans in 1972 and has played a key part in the band, on and off, as a songwriter, singer and guitarist, throughout their history.  John has also written songs for numerous other musicians that received airplay, especially in the 1970's through the 1980's.  In our May of 2021 interview, multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with John to discuss his history with Orleans, involvement in Musicians United for Safe Energy and his latest solo album Reclaiming My Time.  In our showcase segment we feature Firefall, whose new album is titled Comet - reuniting 3 original members of the band.  Two of the bands that helped make music of the 1970's great, right here on Classic Artists Today!

Jun 1, 2021

Roger Earl co-founded Foghat in 1971 with several of his fellow members in Savoy Brown.  Throughout their history, the band's albums have attained Platinum or Gold status 10 times, with nearly a dozen songs landing on the rock charts.  Roger shares, with multi-award winning program director Ray White, his insights into the bands upcoming album (release date 7/16/21) titled 8 Days On The Road, Dave Edmonds' role in the early years of the band and his support of Raising A Hand, a wonderful foundation dedicated to getting one step closer to awareness, education and finding a cure for Rett Syndrome - a neurologic disorder that devastates the lives and families of thousands of young girls each year.  In our showcase segment, we'll feature Jefferson Starship (featured in Raising A Hand Vol. 1 coffee table book) who has recently released their latest project called Mother of the Sun.  Rock, boogie and blues from Foghat and insights into a marvelous effort to eradicate a terrible disorder, right here on the CAT!

May 15, 2021

Multi-instrumentalist and singer Chris Hillman, whose illustrious career started with The Byrds, then went on to The Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, McGuinn, Clark & Hillman and Desert Rose Band joins us.  In this follow-up to our Episode 096 show, Chris shares (during our interview in January of 2021) his insights with multi-award winning program director Ray White on Manassas, SHF and the historic Criteria Studios in Miami.  Several months ago he released a book titled "Time Between" and his most recent studio album is Bidin' My Time.  In our showcase segment we'll feature Stephen Stills and Judy Collins, who recently teamed up on Everybody Knows, in addition to Ann Wilson of Heart  who has a new solo tune - Black Wing.  The superstars of the wide-world of rock/pop music are on the CAT!   

May 1, 2021

Rusty Young, co-founder and only consistent member of the band Poco during their career (1968-2021), passed away on April 14, 2021.  His career was launched when he was tapped to play steel guitar for Buffalo Springfield.  Shortly thereafter, he formed Poco with several of Buffalo Springfield's band members.  Rusty was a talented multi-instrumentalist and an excellent vocalist.  Poco had eighteen albums land on the charts with their Legend and Legacy albums going "Gold."  Their last studio album was All Fired Up and in 2017, Rusty released his only solo album, during his illustrious career, titled Waiting For The Sun.  He was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in in 2013.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White had numerous opportunities during the past 12 years to catch up with Rusty.  We feature highlights of our favorite time spent with him, in December of 2009, when Rusty shares his insights into the formation of Poco, the reunion album "Legacy," a future goal, and thoughts on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Rusty was a special friend of ours at Classic Artists Today who will be missed dearly  We hope you will enjoy our tribute and listen to our last interview with Rusty on Episode 031, too.

Apr 17, 2021

Geoff Downes work as a keyboardist, songwriter and producer has had him at the top of the progressive rock genre for over 40 years.  Many know him as the founding member of the supergroup Asia, but his family tree also includes Yes and The Buggles.  Music collaborations have also played a key role throughout Geoff's career.  You'll find him on projects with the late John Wetton in Icon and Chris Braide in Downes Braide Association (DBA).  Your multi-awarding winning host, Ray White went back stage in August of 2012 to talk with Geoff about Asia's XXX album and Yes' Fly From Here project.  Geoff also talks about being in the two iconic progressive rock bands.  His brand new release is DBA's Halcyon Hymns.  Asia's self-titled album was the #1 album of 1982 according to Billboard and Cashbox.  You can hear more from Geoff on Episode 025.  The best in progressive rock, from your friends at Classic Artists Today

Apr 3, 2021

Chuck Leavell is a world-renowned keyboardist who was honored in 2012 as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner as a member of The Allman Brothers Band.  After his stint with the Allman Brothers, he started his own ground-breaking group - Sea Level, that mixed southern rock with jazz and blues.  As a sought after keyboardist, Chuck has performed with legendary musicians including George Harrison, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour and Dr. John.  He's played with The Rolling Stones for nearly 40 years and serves as their music director.  Chuck has released 7 solo albums throughout his illustrious career, including his latest Chuck Gets Big.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White spent time with Chuck to talk about his new documentary The Tree Man, which recaps his marvelous musical journey and also touches on family life and his "other" career - a tree farmer, conservationist and educator.  Don't miss our journey with one of the greatest pianists in rock 'n' roll history as he divides his talent between music, forests and family.    A "not-to-be-missed" episode on Classic Artists Today!

Mar 20, 2021

Kenny Loggins, Steve Morse and Steve Lukather join us on this Best of the CAT - Volume 2 program.  Interviews and much more with the superstars of Loggins & Messina, Deep Purple, Kansas, Dixie Dregs and Toto!  A great sampler of our Classic Artists Today syndicated radio shows | podcasts.  Hear entire episodes with each musician: Loggins (Episode 063), Morse (Episode 56), Lukather (Episode 52) at sittinginwiththecat.libsyn.com and on most major streaming & podcast services.   Multi-award winning program director, Ray White, connects you with the best interviews and more from "classic" rockers who've won hundreds of Grammy's and dozens that you'll find in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Be sure to tell your friends and family!!

Mar 6, 2021

Peter Rivera, original lead vocalist and drummer for Rare Earth, was born and raised in Detroit.    Signing with Motown Records in 1969, who launched Rare Earth Records, boosted their notoriety in the music world.  Right out of the shoot their Get Ready album went Platinum, followed by two Gold albums in 1970 and 1971,  Peter joins multi-award winning program director Ray White to talk about their start at Motown, the bands' heydays and the evolution of their 10+ minute songs - which changed the music industry.  Peter's latest solo album is It Is What It Is and continues the strong legacy of the Rare Earth sound.  In our "showcase segment," we feature co-founder and lead vocalist for Grand Funk Railroad - Mark Farner and a band that's still going strong for over 50 years... Vanilla Fudge!  They both have recent singles out.  They're "Back From The Sixties," only on Classic Artists Today!!

Feb 20, 2021

Yes bassist Billy Sherwood was hand picked by the late Chris Squire to succeed him in the band.  Billy has been affiliated with the band since 1994.  A talented musician, producer, engineer and songwriter, Billy has been involved with a multitude of recording projects and tours throughout the years working with the likes of: Deep Purple, Asia, Toto, Def Leppard and Nektar.  He's also fronted several bands and has released 10 solo albums.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White, caught up with Billy in January of 2021 who shared his insights on his relationship with Chris Squire, history with Yes, his Circa and Yoso bands, and his latest project with his superstar band The Prog Collective, titled Worlds On Hold.  His brand new band is called Arc of Life and includes Yes vocalist Jon Davidson.  In our showcase segment, we feature Billy's bandmate in Yes, Geoff Downes, whose band is Downes Braide Association and has a new album Halcyon Hymns.  Bringing you the best in progressive rock... Classic Artists Today!  

Feb 7, 2021

Brad Arnold co-founded 3 Doors Down in 1996.  Every album they've released has landed on the charts, in the Top 20.  From those albums, 19 singles have valuted towards the top of the charts, too!  As humanitarians, the band launched The Better Life Foundation with a goal in mind to give as many children as possible a better life.  In our September of 2017 interview, multi-award winning program director, Ray White, sat down with Brad in his tour bus to talk about their music in the movies, playing for our U.S. troops, their latest studio album - Us In The Night along with much more!  In our showcase segment, we feature future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Foo Fighters, whose latest effort is Medicine At Midnight and also 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Cheap Trick, who just released In Another World.  Hold on tight, we're rockin' here on the CAT!!

Jan 24, 2021

Chris Hillman is one of the pioneers in merging Folk/Bluegrass/Country music with Rock in the mid-1960's, and was an original member of The Byrds.  In 1991, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  A multi-instrumentalist and excellent singer/songwriter, Chris' talents carried over to other excellent groups throughout the years including: The Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, Desert Rose Band and several collaborations with fellow Byrds' members.  On this episode, award-winning program director Ray White hooks up with Chris in January of 2021 to talk about his new book "Time Between," his early days with The Byrds, Grammy nomination, and his latest album Bidin' My Time.  In our showcase segment, we feature  the legendary Tom Petty, who produced Chris' latest album and recently released, posthumously, his album titled Wildflowers and All The Rest.  Two fantastic musicians, for the ages, right here on Classic Artists Today

Jan 9, 2021

Leslie West kicked off his musical career on Long Island, NY as a founding member of The Vagrants in the mid-1960's.  Just before the Woodstock Festival in 1969, Leslie formed Mountain landing a spot on the festival lineup.  The rest, as they say, is history.  Mountain has released 8 studio albums and as a solo artist, Leslie's had 16 releases.  He was also a member of the supergroup West, Bruce & Laing.  Leslie's last studio project was Soundcheck, that dropped in 2015.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White talks with Leslie about his early days with The Vagrants and Mountain and he also provides insights on his Unusual Suspects album, in this January of 2012 interview.  This legendary guitarist/vocalist passed away on December 23, 2020.  Our tributes continue in our showcase segment as we look back at the accomplished career of Ken Hensley , a co-founder of Uriah Heep in 1969, who went on to record over a dozen albums as a solo artist.  His last solo release, before his passing on November 4, 2020, was Trouble - which was recorded in 2013.  Two of rocks premier musicians, now in Rock 'n' Roll Heaven, right here on the CAT!     

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