6/12/11 – The “Red Hot” Cat Fight!

Friday Night Cat Fight Podcast

“Red Hot”

The Friday Night Cat Fight takes on one of the most rockin’, hot burnin’ rockabilly sides of all-time, “Red Hot.”  But the tune didn’t start out as a rockabilly barn burner.  It began as a cheerleader’s chant “Our team is red hot,” which was turned into a mid-tempo R&B tune by its writer Billy “The Kid” Emerson.  He cut his original for Sun Records in 1955, the same label that would issue Billy Riley’s immortal version in 1957.  Also in ’57, the great Bob Luman cut a cover of “Red Hot” for Imperial Records.  We round off this week’s competition with Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs 1966 stab at it, which went to #82 on the national charts.  Then in 1977, Robert Gordon took the tune back 20 years to its rockabilly glory with his rendition, which hit #83 nationally.

So, which version of “Red Hot” is TRULY RED HOT?  You decide.  Listen to the Cat Fight Podcast and then vote for the one you dig the most in our online poll.

Which One Do You DIG THE MOST? - "Red Hot"

• Billy "The Kid" Emerson (1955)
• Billy Riley & His Little Green Men (1957)
• Bob Luman (1957)
• Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs (1966)
• Robert Gordon (with Link Wray) (1977)

View Results

 Loading ...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

3/5/10 – History Of “Milk Cow Blues” & More!

The History of

“Milk Cow Blues”

Do you ever wonder where classic songs come from?  I do constantly.  That’s a major reason why I’m tracing the interesting history of a true blues and rock n’ roll classic, “Milk Cow Blues.”  On this week’s program, I trace this song’s evolution over NINE songs.  However, only FIVE of those NINE are in contention in the Friday Night Cat Fight!  Please pick your favorite and vote for it.

This week’s show also contains a rare record by character actor Jim Backus, one of Ray Charles’ spiritual influences, a tribute to Patsy Cline and a few “notes” on the Beat Generation.  Listen, vote and dig, baby! 

 Loading ...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

2/19/10 – “Susie-Q” Cat Fight For Dale Hawkins

Susie-Q

This week, I’m dedicating the podcast to Dale Hawkins, who we lost on February 13, 2010 at the age of 73.  Dale was one of a kind and I was very fortunate enough to have interviewed him a few years ago.  You will hear a portion of that interview in this week’s podcast.  The full, complete interview is available on my “Radio Interviews” page.

Listen to the podcast and then vote for the version of the classic “Susie-Q” that you TRULY DIG THE MOST!  This podcast also includes a little tribute to Jack Johnson, 2nd tenor for the 50s vocal group, The Cardinals, who passed away on Feb 8th at the age of 76.

 Loading ...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

4/24/09 – Rockabilly Girls’ Names & Bertha Lou!

Rockabilly Girls’ Names

Rockabilly music is rock n’ roll in its purest form; the perfect fusion of rhythm & blues and country & western.  This week’s show is a solid 45 minutes of classic Rockabilly Music featuring songs about girls’ names.  You’ll hear about “Pearly Lee”, “Cindy Lou” and this week’s Cat Fight, “Bertha Lou” between Dorsey Burnette & Clint Miller.  Dig on the show and then vote below.

 Loading ...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download