Sittin' in with the CAT

Emerson Hart co-founded Tonic in 1993 and is their lead vocalist and plays rhythm guitar. The band has received two Grammy award nominations and has a Platinum album to their credit. Tonic's latest release is a single titled "To Be Loved." On the solo front, Emerson has released 3 solo albums. His latest single is "I Look For You." Reaching back in our archives, multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Emerson in May of 2015 before his solo performance in Myrtle Beach, SC to talk about the transition from the band to his solo work, differences between his music with Tonic and his solo work, his Beauty In Despair solo album, the latest with Tonic and much, much more. In our showcase segment we feature Toad The Wet Sprocket's front man Glen Phillips whose latest release is There Is So Much Here. We cover the newer "classic" artists on this epiosde of The CAT!

Duane Betts, guitarist/singer/songwriter, heads up his band Duane Betts and Palmetto Motel and is a co-founder of The Allman-Betts Band. He is the son of the late Allman Brothers Band's co-founder, Dickey Betts. Throughout the years you'd find Duane in various bands including Dawes, Puddle of Mudd, Whitestarr, Jamtown and Dickey Betts & Great Southern. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Duane out on tour with Little Feat in October of 2024 who touched on his early career highlights, being the son of a legendary rock star and his recent albums - Wild and Precious Life and Bless Your Heart. In our showcase segment we feature the frontman from "that little ole band from Texas," ZZ Top's Billy F. Gibbons, whose latest release is Cruising With Billy F. Gibbons. Bringing you the best of Southern Rock, they're Sittin' In With The CAT!

Jeff Pilson, bassist & keyboardist for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Foreigner, has held down the bottom for the band for over 20 years. In high demand by other groups during his career, you'll also find him recording and/or touring with other bands including Dokken, Revolution Saints, The End Machine, Black Swan and others. In Part 2 of our interview with Jeff, multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with him in August of 2024 to talk about the future of Foreigner, The End Machine's The Quantum Phase album and Black Swan's latest release Generation Mind. Be sure to listen to Part 1 of our interview with Jeff on Episode 184. A lotta rockin' and a little roll on this edition of the CAT!

Jimi Haha is the frontman for the band Jimmie's Chicken Shack that launched in 1993 in Baltimore, MD. His career took off after signing with Elton John's Rocket Records in 1996. The band blends their alternative style with rock and funk to produce their driving sound. They've toured with 311, Live, Everclear, Fuel and others. In September of 2024, Ray White interviews Jimi and touched on the bands history with various record labels, the "Haha" name, their latest album 2econds, his Jarflys band and plans for 2025. In our showcase segment we feature the most popular American band from the 1990's, Pearl Jam whose latest album is Dark Matter. We close out our show with a group that has 2 Platinum and 4 Gold albums, 311, whose new release is titled Full Bloom. Rock music at the core, on this edition from your rockin' friends at the CAT!

Joe Bonamassa is constantly listed towards the top of the lists of the best guitarists in the world. At the age of twelve he opened for the legendary B.B. King and was introduced to the world. Nominated for three Grammy Awards, Joe's won numerous other awards especially in the Blues world. Multi-award winning program director Ray White connected with him via telephone in August of 2024 to talk about his Live At The Hollywood Bowl album, playing concerts at many of the world famous concert halls, his activities during COVID, his latest with Black Country Communion (who recently released "V") and much, much more. Check out more from Joe on Episode 19. In our showcase segment, we look back at highlights of another excellent guitarist -John Sykes, who played with Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake. He succumbed to cancer in December of 2024. We have superb rock guitarists on this episode, brought to you by your friends at Classic Artists Today. Let 'em rip!

Bill Payne is an accomplished Keyboardist/Singer/Songwriter who co-founded Little Feat in 1969. He's also worked and recorded with the elite in the Rock and Roll industry including Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor and even Pink Floyd - along with dozens others. In the early 2000's Bill reunited with The Doobie Brothers (where you'll find him playing on 9 albums throughout the years) and was on the road with the band at the beginning of their 50th year Reunion Tour. With Little Feat, they recently added 2 new members of the band and recorded Sam's Place, an album that's currently up for a Grammy award. Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Bill before he took the stage in October of 2024 to talk about his recent work with the Doobies, Little Feat's Sam Clayton's expanded role on their latest release and other album insights. In our showcase segment we feature the great one - Eric Clapton, whose latest album is Meanwhile. The heart of Rock and Roll, right here on The CAT!

Elliott Yamin in 2006 was a finalist on the 5th season of American Idol. He released his self-titled album in 2007 that peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200. His single "Wait For You" obtained platinum certification. Elliott has had 5 solo albums land on the charts throughout his career. In recent years you can find Elliott performing and touring with the Lao Tizer Band and Special EFX All-Stars. His latest recordings can be found on Lao Tizer Band's Amplify album, released in 2024. Multi-award program director Ray White caught up with Elliott before he hit the stage in June of 2024 to talk about his career highlights and recent work with Lao Tizer and Chieli Minucci. Our showcase segment features three amazing musicians/bands who also has recent releases. Daryl Hall with D, Norah Jones with Visions and Guster with Ooh La La. This show "pops" as we launch into 2025, here on the CAT!

JJ Grey & Mofro was launched in the early 2000's centering on his hometown of Jacksonville, FL. A favorite among music critics, the band has toured extensively throughout the U.S. picking up a loyal fan base for over 23 years. JJ's concerts have a strong "sing along" vibe that involves the entire audience. Multi-award winning program director Ray White sat down, backstage, with JJ before his soundcheck to talk about his interesting beginnings in England, musical style & influences and his latest album Olustee. In our showcase segment we feature two great musicians who have past ties with Greg Allman - Warren Haynes and Randall Bramblett. Their latest solo albums, respectively, are Million Voices Whisper and Paradise Breakdown. We go deep south, for this edition of Sittin' In With The CAT!

Adolfo "Fito" de la Parra has been the "classic" drummer for Canned Heat during the past 57 years. Having played at Woodstock in 1969 (Episodes 180 and 181) he has led a resurgence of the band during the past few years. Their latest album Finyl Vinyl has garnered tremendous accolades and propelled them towards the top of the Blues Rock charts and album of the year mentions. Multi-award winning program director Ray White spent time with Fito in July of 2024 to touch on the many highlights of the band during their many decades. He also gives his unique insights into Canned Heat's new album. In our showcase segment, we honor the late Mike Pinera who passed away on November 20, 2024. Mike was co-founder of the band Blues Image and went on to play in Iron Butterfly, New Cactus Band, Alice Cooper and released several solo albums. He also formed the first "all-star" band - The Classic Rock All-Stars. We're back from the late 60's and early 70's on this episode brought to you by the authority on "new" music from many of your favorite "classic" bands and performers... Classic Artists Today!

Barry Goudreau, was an original member of Boston, whose first album sold well over 20 million copies worldwide. The band reached the pinnacle of the entire music industry shortly after the albums release. After touring and two albums with the band, Barry recorded a solo album and then went on to form several other groups including Orion The Hunter and his current band - Barry Goudreau's Engine Room. Multi-award winning program director Ray White hangs out backstage with Barry to talk about his illustrious music career and recent projects. His latest album with his band is The Road. You'll also find Barry at several shows a year with the American Vinyl All-Stars with Jeff "Skunk" Baxter and other elite musicians from the music world. New sounds...new energy, right here on The CAT!