On the Front Row with Cate Brothers

After more than 40 years together, Arkansas natives the Cate Brothers are taking a break, and they chose the Arkansas Educational Television Network studios as one of their final venues. Taped before an enthusiastic audience that traveled from across the state, the concert met with such excitement and success that a special one-hour episode of “AETN Presents” has been produced.

“The Cate Brothers represent much of what is so great about Arkansas - talent, a devotion to celebrating the power of music and the joy of working together,” AETN Executive Director Allen Weatherly said. “They chose to keep their roots in Arkansas even as their fame and recognition extended far beyond our borders.

“AETN is proud to celebrate Ernie, Earl and the band with this wonderful concert special. It is a great addition to our schedule.”

The “Cate Brothers” – Ernie and Earl Cate – have been writing and performing their unique style of rock and soul music since the 1960s. They have since developed a sound that is truly their own, both soulful and unique.

“After 40 years we are just trying to slow it down, write some new songs,” Ernie Cate said. “You meet so many neat people over the years and make great friends in a lot of different towns…we are just so lucky to have the kind of support we've had for all these years.

“That's what's kept us going, actually, and it's still there. We're real happy about that. We're lucky, we really are.”

From 1975 to 1980, the Cate Brothers released three LP's on Electra-Asylum Records and one LP on Atlantic Records. In 1976, “Union Man,” a single from their first Electra-Asylum LP, climbed into the top 10 on the national charts and was followed by another successful single, “Can't Change My Heart.”

Their success led to nationwide television performances, including American Bandstand, Midnight Special, Austin City Limits, as well as television programs in Canada and Europe. Performances with artists such as Queen, Fleetwood Mac, The Beach Boys, Boz Scaggs, Little Feat, The Band, Crosby, Stills and Nash and others brought them more national recognition.

In 1992, the Cate Brothers Band was invited to perform for the Presidential Inaugural Ball, “The Blue-Jean Bash,” where they performed with The Band, Bob Dylan, Steven Stills, Clarence Clemons, Kim Wilson, Dr. John and many others.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Ernie and Earl Cate continued to write new material, and in 1995 their first CD, “Radioland,” was released on Blue Sun, Ice House, Priority Records. In 1997, they released another CD, “Struck A Vein,” and in 1999, their first live CD, “The Cate Brothers Band Live,” was released on Current Records. Among the songs performed for this special “AETN Presents” are: “Start All Over Again,” “Neighborhood,” “Union Man,” “Am I Losing You,” “Crazy Mixed Up World,” “Where Can We Go,” and “Give it To a Good Man.”

Visit the Cate Brothers Website at: http://www.catebrothers.com