Air Week: May 1-7, 2023 Floyd Dixon This week, “Juke In The Back” features another unsung hero of early Rhythm & Blues, Floyd Dixon. He’s often overlooked or labeled as a Charles Brown sound-alike, but Dixon was a prolific songwriter who made a great contribution to the R&B foundation of Rock n’ Roll. After meeting […]

Episode #678 – Floyd Dixon

At the end of the Second World War, economics forced the big bands to trim their once great size and thus, the Jump Blues combo was born. Between 1946-1954, rhythm and blues laid the tracks for what was to become Rock n’ Roll. So how come, 75 years later, this vibrant and influential music is still so unknown to so many?  Matt The Cat is going to change that with the radio program, “Juke In The Back.” These were the records that you couldn’t hear on the jukebox in the front of the establishment. To hear all this great 1950s rhythm & blues, you had to go to “Juke In The Back.”

Music

Music Commentary

Music History

Air Week: June 17-23, 2024



Oscar McLollie






This week, the “Juke” is jumpin’ with the honey jumper himself, Oscar McLollie. Born Oscar Lollie, this Louisiana boy went from serving in the military during World War II to servin’ up jump blues in Los Angeles Clubs. Mercury Records hired him as one of their West Coast A&R; scouts in the early ’50s and he made his first single for the label. Record mogul Leon Rene and his son, Googie Rene wrote tunes for the newly christened McLollie and they scored a regional smash with “The Honey Jump.” That record sold well enough for them to see dollar signs and they sold McLollie’s contract to the Bihari Brothers at Modern Records, who quickly re-recorded “The Honey Jump” and had an even bigger hit with it. McLollie and the Renes continued to collaborate and several other regional hits followed with “All The Oil In Texas,” “Lolly Pop,” “Hey Lolly Lolly” and his biggest solo hit, “Convicted.” By 1958, McLollie was back on the Rene’s Class Label, scoring his only national hit record, “Hey Girl – Hey Boy,” a duet with Jeanette Baker. Though he never saw mainstream success, McLollie recorded some great early Rock n’ Roll and Matt The Cat is filling the ol’ Rockola Jukebox with his jumpin’ tunes on this week’s “Juke In The Back.” 



LISTEN BELOW

Episode #737 – Oscar McLollie

Air Week: June 10-16, 2024



Memphis Slim






Memphis Slim dubbed himself the “Ambassador Of The Blues” and for good reason. He spread the gospel of America’s music around the world during his almost 50 year career. This week, Matt The Cat and the “Juke In The Back” take a look at Slim’s prodigious contribution to the genre. He began recording as Pete Chatman (his real name is John Chatman) in 1940 and by the end of the year was already known as Memphis Slim, a name given to him by a producer at Bluebird Records. His prolific career really took off after WWII, when he cut some incredible sides for Miracle Records, a little Chicago independent label. He scored a #1 R&B; hit in 1948 with “Messin’ Around,” which is seldom heard or celebrated today. He would enter the R&B; lists four more times during the late 1940s and twice in the early ’50s for the Premium and United Labels. Even though the US Senate honored Memphis Slim in the early ’70s with an “Ambassador of Good Will” title, he is hardly recognized today for his important contribution to Blues, Rhythm & Blues and early Rock n’ Roll. Get the story behind the story of Memphis Slim on this week’s “Juke In The Back.”



LISTEN BELOW

Episode #736 – Memphis Slim

Air Week: June 3-9, 2024



The Midnighters, Pt. 3 – The Annie Songs






This week, the “Juke In The Back” continues a 3 show look at The Midnighters, one of early R&B;’s most successful groups. Before they topped the R&B; charts with “Work With Me Annie” in 1954, The Midnighters were known as The Royals, a rough and ready group from the east side of Detroit. Charles Sutton, the Royal’s first great lead singer, shaped their early recordings (1952-53) in the style of The Orioles’ leader Sonny Til. In part 3, the “Annie” songs take the spotlight as we build off the Midnighters’ “Annie” trilogy to the flood of answer records and sequel songs that emerged in “Work With Me Annie”‘s wake. Most of the hit “Annie” follow-ups were done by The Midnighters themselves, like “Annie Had A Baby” and “Annie’s Aunt Fannie,” but there were some notable “Annie” songs by The El Dorados, Linda Hayes, Danny Taylor and of course the “Henry” songs by a very young Etta James. It may sound odd now, but from 1954-56, the R&B; juke boxes were jumpin’ to songs about “Annie,” “Henry” and their crazy situations. Matt The Cat puts this R&B; fad front and center as we close up our 3 week look at the impact of The Midnighters on Rhythm & Blues and early Rock n’ Roll. 



LISTEN BELOW

Episode #735 – The Midnighters, Pt. 3 – The Annie Songs

Air Week: May 27-June 2, 2024



The Midnighters, Pt. 2 – 1954-56






This week, the “Juke In The Back” continues a 3 show look at The Midnighters, one of early R&B;’s most successful groups. Before they topped the R&B; charts with “Work With Me Annie” in 1954, The Midnighters were known as The Royals, a rough and ready group from the east side of Detroit. Charles Sutton, the Royal’s first great lead singer, shaped their early recordings (1952-53) in the style of The Orioles’ leader Sonny Til. As 1954 begins, Charles Sutton is out as lead singer and Hank Ballard (real name John Kendricks) is in. Ballard had been with the group since ’52 and he now takes the Royals into a more gospel/blues direction. Syd Nathan, head of King/Federal Records changes their name to The Midnighters and they score one of the biggest records of the year with “Work With Me Annie.” This week, we’ll focus on the Midnighters prime R&B; period of 1954-56. They had non-Annie hits “Sexy Ways” and “It’s Love Baby (24 Hours A Day),” but the Annie’s sequels dominated. We won’t be spinning any of the Annie sequels during this program as next week will be the “Annie” installment, but what you will hear are some fantastic Rhythm & Blues presented by one of the finest groups of the era. Grab some nickels, because “Juke” will be jumpin’ with Detroit’s own Midnighters. 



LISTEN BELOW

Episode #734 – The Midnighters, Pt. 2 – 1954-56

Air Week: May 20-26, 2024



The Midnighters, Pt. 1 – 1952-54 (The Royals)






This week, the “Juke In The Back” begins a 3 show look at The Midnighters, one of early R&B;’s most successful groups. Before they topped the R&B; charts with “Work With Me Annie” in 1954, The Midnighters were known as The Royals, a rough and ready group from the east side of Detroit. Charles Sutton, the Royal’s first great lead singer, shaped their early recordings (1952-53) in the style of The Orioles’ leader Sonny Til. That influence resulted in the recording of some amazing vocal group records, including the immortal “Moonrise” from 1952. Matt The Cat explores the Royals great early sides, their lineup changes (Hank Ballard joined in 1953) and their legal battles. In part 2, we’ll fill the “Juke In The Back” with The Midnights prime, non-Annie records and then in part 3, it’s an Annie bonanza of answer records, prequels and sequels. So grab your nickel and get ready to jump, jive and wail! 



LISTEN BELOW





Episode #678 – Floyd Dixon

Download our free app to listen on your phone