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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!!
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!!
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!
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!!
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!
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!
Joe Puerta was a co-founder of the band Ambrosia in 1970. As bassist and vocalist, Joe has also written many songs for the band, too. Starting out, the band's sound had more of a progressive rock feel, but transformed to an adult contemporary vibe landing 5 Top 40 hit singles. In 1984, Joe was tapped to be an original member of Bruce Hornsby's band- The Range. The band won a Grammy as "Best New Artist" in 1987. As the 1990's approached, Joe returned to Ambrosia and has been touring and recording with them since. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Joe in October of 2015 to talk about his early music endeavors, Ambrosia's prog transition, dynamics of his song writing and his days with Bruce Hornsby. Ambrosia's latest single is Hopes and Dreams. In our showcase segment, we feature two members of the Fab Four - Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Both have released new projects. Paul's McCartney III, carries on the progression from his first two releases in the series of self-performed albums. Ringo Starr is joined by his many friends on his new EP titled Zoom In, referring to a key form of communicating during the pandemic of 2020. This is truly a legendary show, from your friends at The CAT!
Firefall was founded in 1974 in Boulder, CO and included past members of The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Spirit and Zephyr. Throughout the years they've had 13 singles land on the charts, and in 2014 the band was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. Today, original members Jock Bartley, Mark Andes and David Muse are with the band along with long time drummer Sandy Ficca and newest member Gary Jones. Jock joins multi-award winning program director Ray White, in October of 2020, to talk about Comet - their first studio album featuring the 3 original members, in 40 years! Be sure to listen to Episodes 001, 015, 024, 042 and 085 to hear from other Firefall members who've joined us throughout the years! In our "showcase segment" we feature the dynamic guitarist/singer of Heart, Nancy Wilson, who has an awesome new solo album on the way!! Your favorite legacy rock bands and performers, we've got 'em on The CAT!!!
Nils Lofgren has built a fabulous music career that was launched when he formed Grin in 1968. Meeting Neil Young, he was invited to California and has been a recurring member of Crazy Horse ever since. You can find Nils work with Neil on 6 albums. An accomplished singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (including his awesome guitar work), Nils has released nearly 30 albums as a solo artist with his band. The broader audience became aware of Nils incredible talents when he was tapped by Bruce Springsteen to join his E Street Band in 1984. He's recorded 11 albums with the "Boss" over the past 36 years. Multi-award winning host Ray White talks with Nils about his time with Neil, his latest Nils Lofgren Band release Weathered, his work as a member of Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band and the brand new Bruce Springsteen album - Letter To You. An unforgettable interview...an unforgettable musician, right here in this jam packed episode from Classic Artists Today!
Leslie Mandoki, may not be well-known in the U.S., but the company he keeps is superb! A German-Hungarian singer/songwriter/drummer/producer, Leslie is a leader of a European supergroup called Mandoki Soulmates. Past and present members have included: Jack Bruce (Cream), Greg Lake (EL&P), Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Eric Burton (The Animals), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann's Earth Band), Tony Carey, John Helliwell (Supertramp), David Clayton-Thomas (Blood, Sweat & Tears), Al Di Meola, Randy Brecker, Mike Stern and many more! This progressive rock collaboration has produced several albums since 1993 with the latest project, a double-album titled Living In The Gap/Hungarian Pictures. Multi-award winning program director Ray White hooked up with Leslie in October of 2020 to talk about his rise on the international music scene, the world-class musicians in Soulmates and their latest project. In our showcase segment, we look back at the career of the legendary guitarist and bandleader, Eddie Van Halen, who passed away on October 6, 2020 from cancer. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, Van Halen has sold over 80 million albums worldwide. Their last studio album was A Different Kind of Truth. The CAT is totally international on this episode. We Rock the World...on Classic Artists Today.
We continue our 15th Anniversary of Classic Artists Today on Part 2 of our celebration - re-engaging Baby Boomers, along with their adult children, to the pioneers of Rock 'n Roll that have withstood the test of time. Over 300 world-class musicians, who have garnered hundreds of Grammy Awards with dozens inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, have joined us on our syndicated radio show | podcasts. We feature the latest interviews and more diving deep into their history, recent music and tours. In 2010, multi-award winning program director Ray White catches up with a co-founder of Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" - The Yardbirds' Jim McCarty. Ray also shares an interview in 2012 with the mind-blowing guitarist/songwriter/singer of the multi-Grammy Award winning band Toto - Steve Lukather. We close out the show with the classic blues rock singer/songwriter/guitarist Delbert McClinton, joining Ray in 2012. The top musicians throughout the global world of rock...we have them on Classic Artists Today! Tell your friends and family and have them check out our legendary musicians - right here on The CAT!
Classic Artists Today launched in October of 2005, aired by a radio station in Hampton, VA. 15 years later, with a world-wide following, we continue our mission of featuring interviews, and much more, from legacy bands and performers. We look back and share insights from our first "special guest," Jock Bartley of Firefall. Their brand new album is Comet, and will be released in December of 2020. John Oates, of the dynamic duo Hall & Oates, has joined us a couple times. He shares with us his thoughts on his solo career. John's latest release is With The Good Road Band - Live! We close out the show with Maria Muldaur, hanging with us. Since the 1960's, Maria has played music that withstands the test of time. Her last project is Don't You Feel My Leg. Be sure to join award-winning program director, Ray White for Part 1 of our 2 part celebration of the pioneers in the world of rock 'n roll, right here on Sittin' In With The CAT!
Southside Johnny has been a leader of the Jersey shore music scene, that includes Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Bon Jovi, since the mid-1970's. He's released 18 studio albums throughout the years and numerous live recordings. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes feature the powerful Miami Horns on many of their albums, providing a wall of sound that stands alone among many of today's bands. Award winning program director Ray White caught up with Johnny backstage in September of 2011 to talk about his Hearts of Stone album, that was praised by Rolling Stone magazine, changes in the record industry and insights on his Pills and Ammo release. His latest effort is a great project called Soultime! In our "showcase segment" we feature Toots Hibbert, who passed away on September 11, 2020. A pioneer of the Reggae and Ska genres, he formed Toots and The Maytals in 1962. This Grammy award winners' last studio release in 2020, was Got To Be Tough. A high-energy, hard driving show, from Classic Artists Today.
Blue Oyster Cult co-founders Buck Darma and Eric Bloom have led the journey for the band since forming in 1971. Throughout the years, this hard-charging band has sold over 25 million albums. In 2008, the band was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. Award-winning program director Ray White caught up with Buck and Eric, in their touring van (on the boardwalk) after a gig at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. They shared their thoughts about their last studio album The Curse of the Hidden Mirror, the release of the 17-disc boxed set and much more. After nearly 20 years, the band will be releasing a new studio album in the Fall of 2020 titled, The Symbol Remains. In our "showcase segment," we feature two giants from the rock world during the 1970's - Deep Purple, who just released Woosh! and Kansas, whose latest project is titled The Absence of Presence. Get Ready...Set...Rock, with Classic Artists Today!!
Yes co-founder Jon Anderson fronted the band during their heydays in the late 1960's and 70's. Along with his formal days in the band, Jon has recorded with many of his early bandmates throughout the years. In addition, he has collaborated with the likes of Jean-Luc Ponty, Vangelis and many more world-class musicians. In our February of 2011 interview, Jon shares with multi-award winning program director Ray White, his insights into the formation of Yes and project with Rick Wakeman titled The Living Tree. Jon's latest work is 1000 Hands - a dynamic project with numerous special guests. In our "showcase segment" we feature a tribute to the Hall of Fame co-founder of Fleetwood Mac - Peter Green, who passed away on July 25, 2020. He was with Fleetwood Mac from 1967-1970, after a stint with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Two British music icons... right here on The CAT!
Rick Roberts kicked off his musical career joining The Flying Burrito Brothers in 1970, after the departure of Gram Parsons. In 1974, he co-founded Firefall, who had 6 Top 40 hits, 2 Platinum and 1 Gold albums. Multi-award winning program director, Ray White, caught up with Rick after his reunion show with Firefall's Larry Burnett in August of 2019 to talk about his Burrito days, current activities, and fond memories touring with Firefall in the mid-to-late 1970's. Rick's latest EP is Full Bloom. In our showcase segment, we feature a tribute to the legendary country rock musician Charlie Daniels who passed away on July 6. 2020. Hall of Famer and Grammy award winning Daniels was a strong advocate of America and his last studio album was a collaboration with several friends under the name Beau Weevils, on the project Songs in the Key of E. Bringing you the best interviews and more from many of your favorite bands and performers... Classic Artists Today!
Alice Cooper has been a mainstay on the Rock 'n' Roll scene for over 50 years. You'll find this Hall of Famer on nearly 30 studio albums, which have sold over 50 million copies. His immense talents can also be found in dozens of movies and TV shows - even on the radio! Multi-award winning program director Ray White catches up with Alice in June of 2020 to talk about his Detroit roots and the influence of the city on rock music. He also shares his insights about working in a Coronavirus world, his latest EP - Breadcrumbs and upcoming album Detroit Stories. Early 70's rockers Uriah Heep have a recent project - Living The Dream and British guitar legend Robin Trower - whose latest project is Coming Closer To The Day, are featured in our "showcase segment." Get ready to rock... with the CAT!
Paul Carrack, is one of music's top vocalist since launching his career worldwide as a co-founder of Ace in 1972. Throughout the years you'll find his vocals and keyboard work on the charts as a member of Mike + The Mechanics and Squeeze, too. When he hasn't been recording one of his 17 solo albums, Paul has toured and/or recorded with Eric Clapton, Elton John, Ringo Starr, Roxy Music, B.B. King and many others. Paul's latest studio album is titled These Days. Multi-award winning program director Ray White, "Zoomed" with Paul in the U.K. in June of 2020 to discuss his activities during the Coronavirus pandemic, his work with various bands throughout the years and his latest solo work and recent compilation - Paul Carrack Live: The Independent Years. A "not to be missed show," from your friends at Classic Artists Today.
Formed in 1981, 10,000 Maniacs has had 10 songs hit the charts throughout their career. For 12 years Natalie Merchant was lead vocalist for the band. Mary Ramsey took over that role, after Natalie's departure. Mary is also a classically-trained violinist and adds this talent to the group. In May of 2011, multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with founding members Steve Gustafson and Dennis Drew before their show. They touched on the transition of their lead singers, the early years of the band and songs they were compiling for their Music From The Motion Picture project. 10,000 Maniacs latest release is titled Halloween Live at Disney Institute. In our "showcase segment" we feature the very latest from The Pretenders, whose latest album is Hate For Sale and Norah Jones brand new release - Pick Me Up Off The Floor. The ladies...loud and proud on Classic Artists Today!