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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: 2024
Oct 3, 2024

Jeff Pilson, bassist and keyboardist for Foreigner, has been with the band for over 20 years.  The band was selected for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.  During his music career you'll find Jeff was a member of numerous rock bands including Dio and Dokken.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Jeff in August of 2024 to talk about the latest with Foreigner and their "Feels Like The Last Time Farewell Tour" along with plans for 2025.  He also gives us an insight into their brand new album Turning Back The Time and his days with Dio.  In our showcase segment, we feature the latest from the two bands that have toured with Foreigner during the Summer of 2024 on the "Renegades and Juke Box Heroes Tour": Styx - whose latest album is Crash of the Crown and John Waite, who recently released the single Anything.  The "classic" bands are still alive and well on The CAT!

Sep 21, 2024

Drummer Donny Baldwin was a mainstay in the Elvin Bishop Group back in 1973.  In 1982, he started his days with Jefferson Starship.  Throughout his career you'd find Donny playing with Jerry Garcea Band, Eddie Money, Van Morrison, Paul Rodgers and Pablo Cruise.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Donny in August of 2024 to get his insights on his days with Elvin and his history with Jefferson Starship, including their latest album Mother of the Sun and much more!   In our showcase segment we feature Rock and Roll Hall Of Famers Bon Jovi whose latest album is Forever and also the other "Starship" band, that features Mickey Thomas, whose recent release is Greatest Hits Relaunched.  Be sure to listen to our other related Episodes - 27 and 136, where we have Mickey Thomas and David Freiberg joining us on Sittin' In With The CAT!!

Sep 5, 2024

John Ondrasik is Five For Fighting, which launched in 1995.  His first two albums went "Platinum."  During the early 2000's he was nominated for a Grammy and American Music Award.  Recently, John released a trio of songs about current geopolitical events and has dedicated time to philanthropy including the USO, MDA and his whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com organization.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White, hung out with John backstage at a Virginia Beach oceanfront venue to discuss his recent singles, support for charities, exciting upcoming plans and much more.  In our showcase segment we feature three of the hottest alternative music bands in the country today, who all have brand new projects ready for release.  Snow Patrol, whose upcoming album is titled The Forest Is The Path and multi-Grammy nominee The Fray who are releasing a new EP - The Fray Is Back.  We close out this episode with one of the top bands in the world today...Coldplay, who will be releasing their new album in October of 2024 called Moon Music.  Alternative Rock rules on this episode brought to you by your friends at Classic Artists Today.

Aug 18, 2024

On part 2 of this special edition, featuring the 55th anniversary of Woodstock, we're joined once again, with the drummer of a band that performed at the iconic festival - Adolfo "Fito" de la Parra of Canned Heat.  Also the mastermind who produced the sound for 500,000 people at the event - Bill Hanley, "The Father of Festival Sound,"  joined by IES' Steve Almas.  You'll also hear the sounds of the Woodstock Festival by The Who, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Band, Canned Heat and Blood, Sweat & Tears.  The most iconic music festival of the 20th Century (and also for a quarter of this century)!  Be sure to listen to Part 1 on Episode 180 and our 50th Woodstock Anniversary show on Episode 68!! Brought to you by your authority on the latest (and greatest) in rock 'n' roll - Classic Artists Today!!!

Aug 15, 2024

On this special edition, we celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Arts Fair that took place August 15, 16 & 17, 1969 in Bethel, NY.  Joining us is the "Father of Festival Sound," Bill Hanley to talk about the behind-the-scenes activities providing the sound system for this momentous occasion with Steve Almas, CEO of Integrated Entertainment Services, who provides turn-key services for festivals and other entertainment events.   We'll also be joined by the legendary drummer of Canned Heat, who played at Woodstock, Adolfo "Fito" de la Para.  Within this Part 1 of our celebration, you'll also hear the sounds of the festival featuring Canned Heat, Joe Cocker and Melanie.  The CAT's Ray White brings you an inside look at the concert of a lifetime, revisited, and brought to you by your authority on the latest (and greatest) in rock and roll... Classic Artists Today!  Also revisit our 50th Woodstock Anniversary celebration with Santana's Greg Rollie, Mountain's Leslie West and the iconic Johnny Winter joining us on Episode 68!!

Jul 25, 2024

Jorma Kaukonen, guitarist/singer/songwriter, recorded with Janis Joplin in 1964.  In 1965, he joined Jefferson Airplane.  You'll find him on every album that they released.  In 1969, Jorma went on to form Hot Tuna with Jack Casady, who still performs today.  In 1974, he recorded his first solo album, of which there are over a dozen studio albums released today, with the latest titled One More Lifetime.  In 1996, Jorma was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Jefferson Airplane.  In this episode we feature Ray White's March of 2009 interview, from our archives.  Jourma shares his insights on some of his old band members, the latest with Hot Tuna, his River Of Time CD along with his feelings about the Americana music genre.  In our showcase segment we focus on former member of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' Mike Campbell.  His latest album, with his band The Dirty Knobs, is Vagabonds, Virgins and Misfits.  The heart of Americana music is featured on this episode of the CAT!!

Jul 12, 2024

Joanne Shaw Taylor is a dynamic singer/guitarist/songwriter who has blazed a trail to the top of the Blues Rock genre.  Discovered by Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics at the age of 16, she's released 12 solo albums throughout her rising music career.  In 2021, she teamed up with guitar wizard Joe Bonamassa and started recording on his record label.  Among her accolades you'll find Joanne named Best Female Vocalist (twice) at the British Blues Awards and also tapped for Songwriter of the Year.  Ray White, multi-award winning program director and show host, caught up with Joanne in February of 2024 before her extensive U.S. tour to talk about her star connections and latest album - Heavy Soul.  In our "showcase segment" we feature the iconic band from the U.K. - The Rolling Stones whose latest album is Hackney Diamonds and continue our British Invasion themed show with Dire Straits' frontman Mark Knopfler who just released One Deep River.  Rock royalty and young blood on this episode from Classic Artists Today!

Jun 28, 2024

Leon Medica, bassist and producer of LeRoux, co-founded the band in 1977.  Throughout the years the band was featured on music television shows including Solid Gold, The Midnight Special and Don Kirshner's Rock Concert.  They had 7 songs land on Billboard's Top 100 chart.  Leon won an American Music Award for producing a song from the movie "Dirty Dancing" and also is a Grammy nominated musician who played on an album with blues great Tab Benoit.  This tribute to Leon, who passed away on June 9, 2024, includes our interview with him from July of 2008 which touched on LeRoux, the Louisiana rock sound and LeRoux's album, Ain't Nothing But A Gris Gris.  In our showcase segment, we feature Leon's friend and frontman for Wet Willie, Jimmy Hall.  His latest album is Ready Now.  Sounds of the deep south on this special edition of the CAT!

Jun 14, 2024

John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band hit their stride in the early and mid-1980's with four Top 10 songs.  Many people know the band from the tremendous success of the Eddie and The Cruisers movie soundtrack.  Throughout the years, that band had 11 singles land on the music charts.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White sat down with John in January of 2012, shortly after the passing of his good friend Clarence Clemons - at a tribute show, to talk about The Big Man and the Jersey Shore music vibe.  John's recently released several singles by his band.  In our showcase segment we feature another Jersey band that's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Bon Jovi.  Their latest album is Forever and it's full of rock songs and power ballads.  We'll also feature the latest from another superstar from just across the border in Pennsylvania who unfortunately split with his longtime musical partner.  Daryl Hall has his first album out since parting with John Oates, which is called "D".  The CAT rocks you on this episode as we focus on the Jersey to the Philly sounds!!   

May 30, 2024

Franke Previte formed Franke and the Knockouts in 1980, who had three Top 40 singles and two Top 50 albums.  Franke co-wrote music for the hit soundtrack Dirty Dancing featuring the Academy Award winning "The Time of my Life."  He also co-wrote "Hungry Eyes," which was a #1 U.S. Adult Contemporary hit sung by Eric Carmen.  Franke and the Knockouts most recent album was titled The Complete Collection.  We interviewed Franke in June of 2011.  In our Showcase Segment, we feature Gerry Beckley (interviewed in Episode 71) of America, who has released 10 solo albums including his 2022 release Aurora.  In 2024, he's dropped several singles including "Crazy" and we expect a new album from him soon.  We close out this episode with the legendary Billy Joel who released his first new single since 2007 titled "Turn The Lights Back On."  Kick back and chill as you listen to this episode from the CAT!

May 16, 2024

In Part 2 of our interview and feature with the phenominal Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, we focus on his years with Steely Dan and talk about the multi-Grammy award winning album (Minute by Minute) by The Doobie Brothers.  We'll also get Jeff's insights on his awesome solo album Speed of Heat and dive into his thoughts on the music industry today.  Be sure to listen to our other shows featuring current and former Doobies on Episodes 18, 44, 75, 128 and 167.  In our showcase segment, we look back at the career of Electric Light Orchestra's keyboardist Richard Tandy who passed away on May 1, 2024.  Tandy's playing was an important part of ELO's sound, playing various keyboard instruments and adding vocals on many songs.    World-class musicians...world-class shows, from your friends at Classic Artists Today

Apr 26, 2024

Jai Johanny Johanson aka Jaimoe is the only living original member of the Allman Brothers Band, that was formed in 1969.  During his illustrious career he was also a member of Sea Level.  Jaimoe presently leads a jazz-rock group called Jaimoe's Jasssz Band.  In 1995, he was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Allman Brothers Band.  Award winning program director Ray White caught up with Jaimoe at his hotel in September of 2013 to talk about his early days as a musician, hooking up with Duane Allman and his most recent release Jaimoe's Jasssz Band's Renaissance Man.  In our showcase segment, we look back at the career of guitarist/singer/songwriter Dickey Betts who was a mainstay in the Allman Brothers Band for many years and launched several other bands after his departure.  Dickey passed away on April 18, 2024.  Two of Southern/Country Rock stalwarts are brought to you by your authority on the latest happenings about "classic" rock bands...the CAT!

Apr 12, 2024

Don Dokken launched Dokken in 1978.  The Grammy nominated band has had three Platinum albums and ten Top 40 hits on Billboard's Mainstream Rock charts.  Their latest studio release is 2023's Heaven Comes Down.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Don in November of 2012, in this legacy edition of the CAT, to talk about their Broken Bones album and other key insights into the band's history.  In our "showcase segment" we feature Black Country Communion - a band made up of superstars Joe Bonamassa, longtime member of Deep Purple, Glenn Hughes, son of Led Zepplin drummer John Bonham, Jason, and former Dream Theater keyboardist Derek Sherinian.  Their latest release is titled V.  We conclude this episode with classic rock icons Blue Oyster Cult, whose latest album is Ghost Stories.  This show features Rock 'N' Roll to the core, brought to you by Classic Artists Today!

Mar 25, 2024

Paul Nelson, a guitarist/record producer/songwriter won a Grammy award for Best Blues Album in 2015 for Johnny Winter's Step Back release.  Paul's played with the elite guitarists in the world and was a phenomenal guitarist himself.  He produced albums and toured with Johnny Winter for several years until Johnny passed in 2014.  Working with many of the blues and rock greats, he also found time to release several of his own projects.  In November of 2023, multi-award winning program director Ray White hung out with Paul to talk about his guitar training, several of his projects and hooking up with Johnny Winter.  I was sad to learn that Paul passed away on March 10, 2024, while out on tour.  He was a great talent that will be missed by many.  We hope you'll enjoy one of his last interviews and the awesome work from Paul on this insightful episode.    

Mar 12, 2024

Fred LeBlanc is a co-founder of Cowboy Mouth, a Louisiana band formed in 1990.  Along with drumming, he's the vocalist for the band too.  Throughout the years the band has performed for over 10 million people.  Before forming Cowboy Mouth, Fred was in the "cowpunk" band Dash Rip Rock.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Fred on a windy oceanfront day to talk about the band's unique sound, their relationship with their devoted fans, their latest music and support of worthy causes like Raising a Hand for Rhett.  In our showcase segment we feature Green Day whose latest album is Saviors, along with country rock stalwarts Blackberry Smoke, who just released Be Right Here.  We close out this episode featuring The Black Crowes, who are releasing their first studio album in 15 years titled Happiness Bastards.  Don't miss this awesome episode that'll rock your socks off, here on the CAT!

Feb 20, 2024

Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 in Louisiana.  Their first major label album, Deluxe, went Platinum.  Throughout the years a dozen of their singles have landed on the charts.  Multi-award winning program director, Ray White, caught up with co-founders Kevin Griffin and Tom Drummond backstage at their show to talk about their All Together Now album, the early days of the band and their approach in writing songs and putting together albums.  Billboard tapped the band as one of the "100 Greatest Alternative Artists of All Time."  They've released several singles recently from their forthcoming album and have a full tour schedule in 2024.  In our showcase segment we feature the latest on Billboard Music Award multi-winners, The Goo Goo Dolls and Ambrosia members Burleigh Drummond and Mary Harris and their Tin Drum Family Band which just released Emerson Street.  Gotta dig it as they're Sittin' In With The CAT!!

Feb 10, 2024

Russ Kunkel is one of the most sought after drummers in the world.  A renowned session player, he has recorded or performed for the likes of Jimmy Buffett, CS&N, Stevie Nicks, Carole King, Dan Fogelberg and many more superstars in the music industry.  He's produced nearly two dozen albums, too!  He started to make a name for himself at L.A.'s Whiskey a Go Go, in the late 1960's.  Multi award-winning program director Ray White hung out with Russ in Charlottesville, VA during the Virginia Film Festival to preview the movie (Immediate Family) and talk about his new band The Immediate Family - which includes super session players Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Leland Sklar and Steve Postell.  We talked about the collaboration, his career, the film and their music including brand new album Skin In The Game - which now will be released on February 16, 2024.  We'll featue several of Russ's "friends" on this episode, too!!  Be sure to check out more about the band, their music and the film on Episodes 143 and 164 when Waddy Wachtel and movie director Denny Tedesco join us.  This musical story of our lifetime - we've got it on Classic Artists Today.

Jan 24, 2024

Jeff "Skunk" Baxter is one of the elite guitarists today.  He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Doobie Brothers.  His career on the national scene was launched in 1968 as a member of Ultimate Spinach.  In 1972, Skunk became a founding member of Steely Dan, playing on their first three albums.  Joining the Doobies in 1974, after doing session work on several of their earlier albums, he was with the band until 1979.  Most of his musical career was dedicated to doing session work for many other bands and artists.  In our November of 2023 interview, multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up backstage with Jeff before a show supporting his 2022 album Speed of Heat.  We touched on a series of highlights from his early days, stints with Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers, and about his latest solo album and tour.  You won't want to miss this episode!  We close our show with the latest from The Doobie Brothers.  Their latest single is "Lahaina" was recorded to benefit families and individuals affected by the 2023 Hawaii wildfires.  Be sure to listen to our other shows featuring current and former Doobies' on Episodes 18, 44, 75 & 128.  World-class musicians (always) right here on the CAT!!  

Jan 14, 2024

Humble Pie came together in 1969 led by Steve Marriott and Peter Frampton.  Many regarded the band as the first supergroup in rock music.  Throughout the years the band has experienced numerous changes.  The current group is still led by originial member Jerry Shirley including members with impressive music resumes.  Multi award-winning program director Ray White caught up with Humble Pie bandmates Dave "Bucket" Colwell (Bad Company) and Jim Stapley to talk about the new "Legacy"  band, some history of the iconic group along with touching on their music careers.  In our showcase segment we feature Ian Hunter (Mott The Hoople) whose latest release is Defiance Pt. 1 and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Joan Jett and the Blackhearts who recently recorded the EP Mindsets.  The heart of rock 'n' roll, brought to you by your friends at Classic Artists Today.

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