At the end of the Second World War, economics forced the big bands to trim their once great size and thus, the Jump Blues combo was born. Between 1946-1954, rhythm and blues laid the tracks for what was to become Rock n’ Roll. So how come, 75 years later, this vibrant and influential music is still so unknown to so many? Matt The Cat is going to change that with the radio program, “Juke In The Back.” These were the records that you couldn’t hear on the jukebox in the front of the establishment. To hear all this great 1950s rhythm...
Latest episodes
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Episode #860 – Spooky Halloween Rhythm & Blues
Air Week: October 26-November 1, 2026 Spooky Halloween Rhythm & Blues Halloween has always been a frightfully good time of the year for the “Juke In The Back.” This year, Matt The…
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Episode #859 – Louis Jordan, Pt. 6 – 1950-56
Air Week: October 19-25, 2026 Louis Jordan, Pt. 6 – 1950-56 The “Juke In The Back” presents Part 6, the final part of our mammoth, 6 part series, on the most important musical figu…
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Episode #858 – Louis Jordan, Pt. 5 – 1948-50
Air Week: October 12-18, 2026 Louis Jordan, Pt. 5 – 1948-50 The “Juke In The Back” presents Part 5 of our mammoth, 6 part series, featuring the most important musical figure of the…
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Episode #857 – Louis Jordan, Pt. 4 – 1947-48
Air Week: October 5-11, 2026 Louis Jordan, Pt. 4 – 1947-48 The “Juke In The Back” presents Part 4 of our mammoth, 6 part series, featuring the most important musical figure of the…
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Episode #856 – Louis Jordan, Pt. 3 – 1946
Air Week: September 28-October 4, 2026 Louis Jordan, Pt. 3 – 1946 The “Juke In The Back” presents Part 3 of a mammoth, six-part series, featuring the most important musical figure…
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Episode #855 – Louis Jordan, Pt. 2 – 1942-45
Air Week: September 21-27, 2026 Louis Jordan, Pt. 2 – 1942-45 The “Juke In The Back” presents Part 2 of a mammoth, six-part series, featuring the most important musical figure of t…
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Episode #854 – Louis Jordan, Pt. 1 – 1938-41
Air Week: September 14-20, 2026 Louis Jordan, Pt. 1 – 1938-41 The “Juke In The Back” begins a mammoth, multi-part series, featuring the most important musical figure of the 1940s,…
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Episode #853 – Ike Turner
Air Week: September 7-13, 2026 Ike Turner One of Rhythm & Blues’ greatest innovators was also one of its most notorious personalities. Ike Turner was born in the same place that th…
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Episode #852 – Sun Records R&B, Pt. 2 – 1954-55
Air Week: August 31-September 6, 2026 Sun Records R&B, Pt. 2 – 1954-55 On Part 2 of “Juke In The Back”‘s 2 part series on Sun Records’ early R&B releases, Matt The Cat spotlights 1…
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Episode #851 – Sun Records R&B, Pt. 1 – 1952-53
Air Week: August 24-30, 2026 Sun Records R&B, Pt. 1 – 1952-53 This week, the “Juke In The Back” salutes the most influential and important record label of all-time, Sun Records. Sa…
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Episode #850 – Elvis’ R&B Influences
Air Week: August 17-23, 2026 Elvis’ R&B Influences 49 years ago this week, we lost the “King Of Rock n’ Roll. Much has been written about Elvis’ enormous impact and popularity over…
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Episode #849 – Aladdin Records, Pt. 3 – 1953-55
Air Week: August 10-16, 2026 Aladdin Records, Pt. 3 – 1953-55 The “Juke In The Back” presents part 3 in our series on Aladdin Records, one of the most important independent labels…
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Episode #848 – Aladdin Records, Pt. 2 – 1950-54
Air Week: August 3-9, 2026 Aladdin Records, Pt. 2 – 1950-54 The “Juke In The Back” presents part 2 in our 3 part series on Aladdin Records, one of the most important independent la…
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Episode #847 – Aladdin Records, Pt. 1 – 1945-49
Air Week: July 27-August 2, 2026 Aladdin Records, Pt. 1 – 1945-49 The “Juke In The Back” begins a three part special on one of the most important record labels of the pre-rock era,…
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Episode #846 – Jay McShann
Air Week: July 20-26, 2026 Jay McShann Jay McShann was a pioneer of Rhythm & Blues, cutting his teeth as a swing bandleader, arriving in Kansas City just as it was becoming a jazz…
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Episode #845 – The Influence of “Junker’s Blues” and R&B Telephone Songs
Air Week: July 13-19, 2026 The Influence of “Junker’s Blues” and R&B Telephone Songs The “Juke In The Back” is jumpin’ this week as we take a look at the history and influence of t…
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Episode #844 – Parrot Records
Air Week: July 6-12, 2026 Parrot Records This week, “Juke In The Back” focuses on a tiny Chicago R&B record label with a big sound; Parrot Records. The label was started by Chicago…
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Episode #843 – 250th 4th of July R&B Picnic
Air Week: June 29-July 5, 2026 250th 4th of July R&B Picnic This week, “Juke In The Back” waves the banner high in celebration of America’s 250th birthday with one of America’s gre…
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Episode #842 – Chuck Berry, Pt. 3 – 1958
Air Week: June 22-28, 2026 Chuck Berry, Pt. 3 – 1958 Chuck Berry has been called the “Father of Rock n’ Roll” and with good reason. He took the blues of T-Bone Walker and B.B. King…
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Episode #841 – Chuck Berry, Pt. 2 – 1956-57
Air Week: June 15-21, 2026 Chuck Berry, Pt. 2 – 1956-57 Chuck Berry has been called the “Father of Rock n’ Roll” and with good reason. He took the blues of T-Bone Walker and B.B. K…