CAT Episode 144 - Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown)

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!

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!!

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.

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!!  

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.

Ivan Neville, son of Aaron Neville and nephew of the other Neville Brothers, has been on the national music scene since 1983.  You'll find him on albums by his band Dumpstaphunk, his Dad, The Neville Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones and many others.  Ivan is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White, sat down backstage with Ivan to talk about his new solo album - Touch My Soul, his collaborations, the possibility of a next generation Neville Brothers Band and much more.  In our showcase segment we close out 2023 with two other bands who had excellent albums during the year: Duran Duran with Danse Macabre and Ann Wilson (Heart) with Another Door.  Crusin' into the New Year with the CAT!

Denny Tedesco is director of the films The Wrecking Crew and the brand new release Immediate Family.  Both of these documentary films are about world-class musicians that you'll find on hundreds of albums and thousands of songs by artists who are in numerous Hall of Fame's and won hundreds of Grammy awards.  Played in film festivals around the United States, Immediate Family has garnered well over a dozen awards and is released to theaters everywhere on December 15, 2023.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Denny at the Virginia Film Festival in October of 2023 before the viewing of this fantastic film.  They talked about his background growing up (son of The Wrecking Crew member Tommy Tedesco), briefly on The Wrecking Crew film and various aspects of the brand new Immediate Family (Danny Kortchmar, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, Waddy Wachtel & Steve Postell) film.  We'll take you on a journey back to the heyday of Rock and Pop music on this episode.  Be sure to listen to Episode 143 too, where we're joined by Waddy Wachtel of The Immediate Family!  Don't miss this show (or film)!!

Jeff Berlin is known among bass players as one of the elite.  His one-of-a-kind tone, jaw dropping techniques and highly advanced harmonic approaches to the bass puts him near the top.  In addition to his 12 solo albums, you'll find him on recordings and live performances with Anderson/Bruford/Wakeman/Howe, Allan Holdsworth, Bruford, David Sancious, Janis Ian and dozens more.  Multi award-winning program director Ray White caught up with Jeff in November of 2022 to talk about his start in the music business, his early years playing progressive rock, and his latest album Jack Songs - featuring a "who's who" of rock musicians paying homage to the legendary Jack Bruce.  Peter Gabriel, former frontman for Genesis, who's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is our "showcase artist."  His latest album is I/O.  The best in progressive rock...we've got 'em on the CAT!  

Felix Cavaliere co-founded The Young Rascals in 1965.  As singer/songwriter/keyboardist, they had nine Top 20 hits from 1966-1968.  Throughout the years, Felix has released several solo albums, launched a band called Treasure, and recorded several releases with Steve Cropper.  You'll find him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame and tapped for numerous other awards, too.  Multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Felix in September 2023 to talk about the early years with The Young Rascals, playing the Hammond B-3, a highlight of touring with the Rascals, his most cherished music award and insights on his new album - Then and Now.  In our showcase segment we continue our "Back from the 60's" theme featuring the lastest from The Beatles, Paul McCartney -whose most recent album is McCartney III, Ringo Starr - who just released his Rewind Forward EP and Dolly Parton, a 2022 inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame whose brand new album is Rockstar.   Featuring the lastest from many of your favorite legendary bands and performers on Classic Artists Today!

Anthony Rosano guitarist/singer/songwriter, and his band The Conqueroos have been at the top of several blues rock charts during the past 5+ years and are a rising star in this genre.  They've opened shows for Bob Seger, ZZ Top, Styx, Gov't Mule, Humble Pie and other classic rock bands.  In this special edition of our show, multi-award winning program director Ray White caught up with Anthony and talked about influences that shaped his songwriting and guitar playing along with insights into his latest album Cheat The Devil - which reached the top of many Blues and Blues Rock charts.  In our showcase segment, we feature three of the legends of rock, who have recently released new albums.  Robin Trower's latest album is No More Worlds To Conquer.  Bad Company's Paul Rodgers  new project is Midnight Roses.  We close out our show with a band that was formed in 1962 - The Rolling Stones, who just released Hackney Diamonds.  The CAT features old guard and new blood on this episode!