Sittin' in with 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!!