Keep On Prowlin'!
Dear Night Prowlers,
As many of you know, last night (Oct 15th) was my final Night Prowl Show with XM Satellite Radio's 50s on 5. I hosted the Night Prowl for 7 years and 4 months and it was the greatest experience of my life. Getting to know each of you and share some of the greatest music ever made was something that I will never forget. During the Night Prowl, we got to meet some of the legends of Rock n' Roll (Sonny Burgess, Dale Hawkins, Lloyd Price, Billy Vera etc) and share a lot of good times and great stories. We danced, we laughed and we cried.
Last night as I was packing up the studio, I played some of Yum Yum's annual Christmas poems and even found some of Cross Country Kelly's old phone calls. Now, she's my wife and we are very happy together. Believe me, XM gave me as much as it gave you, if not a little more. I met my wife because of XM and it was XM that gave me the freedom to do what I do and to truly be myself. Every scream, every yell and every "Lawd have MERCY!" came from a real place deep down in my heart and soul. I meant everything I said. I felt it for real and in turn, I think you felt it too.
But alas, all good things must come to an end and we did have a very good run. Sirius XM has had to make some serious cuts in staff and that is why they have let me go.
Honestly, I have no idea what I am going to do next. I'd love to end up in a major radio market somewhere and I hope syndication may also be an option someday soon. I've often told people that there is NOTHING like the feeling you get from being LIVE on the radio. It's an indescribable feeling. Thank you for being a part of that for so many years.
Please check my website often for updates. I will also keep this update list active, and will contact you all again when I have some good news. Now that I have some free time, I think I'm gonna update the website and add many new items, including complete playlists for every Harlem show that ever aired. Speaking of Harlem, I hear that XMX (Channel 2) will be running Harlem shows all weekend, but I'm not certain about that. Check it out as it will probably be your last chance to hear the show that was the light of my life. I have more pride for my Harlem shows than most everything else I've ever done. I'll also be adding more interviews to my online archive so check that often as well (http://www.mattthecat.com/Interview.html)
It's hard to say goodbye, so let me quote the great Neil Young when I say, "It's better to burn out than to fade away". Last night, we burned out (like a radio tube), but we will NEVER fade away. Keep your ears open and I'm sure you'll hear Matt The Cat yelling and howlin' from somewhere. Yeeeeaaaaaahhhhhhh!
Thanks for helping me to keep Rhythm & Blues, Rock n' Roll, Rockabilly and Doo Wop alive. You can't kill the good stuff. We shall meet again, my Prowlers, just never forget your "fury leader".
And remember, you got to keep PROWLIN' and don't EVER stop. Because the day you stop prowlin', will sho' enough be the day you die".
Love and soul,
Matt The Cat
Email Matt
As many of you know, last night (Oct 15th) was my final Night Prowl Show with XM Satellite Radio's 50s on 5. I hosted the Night Prowl for 7 years and 4 months and it was the greatest experience of my life. Getting to know each of you and share some of the greatest music ever made was something that I will never forget. During the Night Prowl, we got to meet some of the legends of Rock n' Roll (Sonny Burgess, Dale Hawkins, Lloyd Price, Billy Vera etc) and share a lot of good times and great stories. We danced, we laughed and we cried.
Last night as I was packing up the studio, I played some of Yum Yum's annual Christmas poems and even found some of Cross Country Kelly's old phone calls. Now, she's my wife and we are very happy together. Believe me, XM gave me as much as it gave you, if not a little more. I met my wife because of XM and it was XM that gave me the freedom to do what I do and to truly be myself. Every scream, every yell and every "Lawd have MERCY!" came from a real place deep down in my heart and soul. I meant everything I said. I felt it for real and in turn, I think you felt it too.
But alas, all good things must come to an end and we did have a very good run. Sirius XM has had to make some serious cuts in staff and that is why they have let me go.
Honestly, I have no idea what I am going to do next. I'd love to end up in a major radio market somewhere and I hope syndication may also be an option someday soon. I've often told people that there is NOTHING like the feeling you get from being LIVE on the radio. It's an indescribable feeling. Thank you for being a part of that for so many years.
Please check my website often for updates. I will also keep this update list active, and will contact you all again when I have some good news. Now that I have some free time, I think I'm gonna update the website and add many new items, including complete playlists for every Harlem show that ever aired. Speaking of Harlem, I hear that XMX (Channel 2) will be running Harlem shows all weekend, but I'm not certain about that. Check it out as it will probably be your last chance to hear the show that was the light of my life. I have more pride for my Harlem shows than most everything else I've ever done. I'll also be adding more interviews to my online archive so check that often as well (http://www.mattthecat.com/Interview.html)
It's hard to say goodbye, so let me quote the great Neil Young when I say, "It's better to burn out than to fade away". Last night, we burned out (like a radio tube), but we will NEVER fade away. Keep your ears open and I'm sure you'll hear Matt The Cat yelling and howlin' from somewhere. Yeeeeaaaaaahhhhhhh!
Thanks for helping me to keep Rhythm & Blues, Rock n' Roll, Rockabilly and Doo Wop alive. You can't kill the good stuff. We shall meet again, my Prowlers, just never forget your "fury leader".
And remember, you got to keep PROWLIN' and don't EVER stop. Because the day you stop prowlin', will sho' enough be the day you die".
Love and soul,
Matt The Cat
Email Matt
posted by Matt The Cat at 7:52 PM
10 Comments:
I don't even know what to say. I've been listening to your shows for many years and it saddens me greatly that you are going. Not sure if I can keep up my XM subscription after this; I'll try and listen into whatever you do in the future. I hope you get a chance to do another scholarly show like Harlem sometime.
I listened to you almost every day.
Howdy Matt,
I'm your overseas fan from Rio de Janeiro / Brazil! Really saddening not having your show every night, I've been tuned since mid 2004!
Even in a young age, I appreciate the 50's Rock'n'Roll, and thus I do believe we all will hear from our furry leader soon!!
Yeahhh babbbbby! Good luck man!
I'm saddened to hear that you will no longer be on xm doing the night prowl show or harlem. I almost always called in to vote on the cat fights witch was one of my fave features you did each week. Your shows was one of the main reasons I subscribed to xm a year and half ago. it won't be the same without you on the radio. Hope fully you will find something soon. Good luck matt. May Harlem run in repeats for sometime to come.
I am cancelling my XM subscription and I just renewed it! Matt was the only reason I wanted XM. As a sixties artist that gets play on channel 6, I protest this stupid move on XM's part...no offence guy's but you have some very lame DJ'S on XM channels but letting Matt go....Unforegivable
i totaly agree with anonymous, what a stupid move! i've been a night prowler from the start, i put xm in everything i have from my boat to mt bike to all our cars just to listen to Matt, now theres no need to continue with xm so the disco call has been made. Matt you know man i love you like a son, we had some great times from bits in the beginning to ghost stories,i wish you and kelly the best, and you know you can always call on me for anything, yankee :-(
Say it ain't so! Not Matt the Screamin' Cat. I'm George in Austin - called in once with my two little girls (5 and 2) who listened to you with me regularly. I am working on a way to break the news to them. We'll keep posted on you site and will tune in when you land on your feet -- like all good cats do! Peace... and chicken grease!
I was waiting for your return from your honeymoon. (Congratulations}
I tuned in, No Matt, I waited and then heard the bad news. I have emailed XM with my disapointment and suggested that they should really consider a syndicated show with you. XM is now DULL.
Good Luck and keep prowling!
Matt, Linda and I have listened to the shows on Channel 5 for years, This is a stupid move on xm/sirius's part.
I have Xm in everything, even to the point of having it in my shop
Well it's gone no need.
You and Ken made xm more than a radio station. so sad.
Richard and Linda Hill
Huntington Wv/ Dewittville Ny.
Matt... Right from the start of XM you were the reason I'd tune in every night. The rockin' hits, the smooth doo-wop, the friendly voice comin' in from outer space. You'd take time to chat 'cuz XM was so new hardly anyone was callin... I remember Big Al from Brooklyn requesting these long forgotten doo-wop songs that I always loved to hear. I'd get you everytime when I said Iwas truckin' to LA... Lower Alabama. Using the Legends "Lariat" for bumper music was the best. Man, you ARE the best. Good luck in you new adventures. Krooser
Matt,
I loved your work and unmistakable passion for the music.
I'm 59 grew up in The Bronx and my musical hero was/still is Roy Orbison. Your 2006 tribute is something I'll never forget!
Like your I love soul, blues and rockabilly.
Your shows made XM special. Can't say I'll renew now.
I really do hope w'll meet further on up the road.
Michael
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