The Cattanooga Cats was an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions. It aired on ABC from September 6, 1969, to January 3, 1970, and was later aired in syndication under the title “The Cattanooga Cats Show”.
The show featured a group of four anthropomorphic hillbilly cats who formed a rock band and traveled in a van called the “Catmobile”. The series followed the adventures of the cats as they traveled from town to town, performing concerts and getting into various hijinks along the way.
- Lead singer/guitarist Country (voiced by Bill Callaway)
- Singer/dancer Kitty Jo (voiced by Julie Bennett)
- Bassist Scoots (voiced by Jim Begg)
- Drummer Groove (voiced by Casey Kasem)
William Ronald Callaway (born March 11, 1940) is an American retired voice actor. He is also known as Bill Callaway and Bill Calloway. He voiced many roles including Beach Head in “G.I Joe”, Square Bear in “Help!… It’s the Hair Bear Bunch!”, Professor Keanbean in “Richie Rich”, Sparks in “Saelab 2020”, Aquaman in “Super Friends”, and Clumsy Smurf, Painter Smurf in “The Smurfs”. Jim Begg was in many movies and TV shows including “The Patty Duke Show”, “Village of the Giants”, “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken”, “Bewitched”, “It’s a Bikini World”, “The Andy Griffith Show”, “The Shakiest Gun in the West”, “The Love God”, and “I Dream of Jeannie”.
Julie Bennett (January 24, 1932 – March 31, 2020) was the voice for Sagebrush Sal, Gisele on “The Quick Draw McGraw Show”, Fisherman’s Wife, Little Princess, Princess Irene on “The Bullwinkle Show”, Brigette, Juliet on “The Huckleberry Hound Show”, Cindy Bear on “The Yogi Bear Show”, Donna Troy / Wonder Girl on “The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure”, Lois Lane on “The New Adventures of Superman”, and Queen Anne, Lady Constance on “The Banana Splits Adventure Hour”.
Casey Kasem (April 27, 1932 – June 15, 2014) was a disc jockey, actor, and radio presenter, who created and hosted several radio countdown programs, notably American Top 40. He was known as the voice for Shaggy in the Scoody-Doo franchise, Dick Grayson/Robin in “Super Friends”, and Alexander Cabot III in “Josie and the Pussycats”.
The music on The Cattanooga Cats was a significant part of the show, as the main characters were a rock band who performed in every episode. The singing vocals for The Cattanooga Cats were performed by Michael Lloyd and Peggy Clinger.
Producer Mike Curb was the musical director for the series and Ted Nichols composed the background music. An LP, Cattanooga Cats (Forward ST-F-1018), featuring some of the songs used in the series, was released in 1969. The record was produced by Michael Lloyd and Mike Curb. It was released on Forward Records and published by Anihanbar Music Co. and Mike Curb Music.
Track Listing
- A1 Mother May I Written By – Debra Clinger, Michael Lloyd, Peggy Clinger 2:20
- A2 How Did I Ever Get So Lucky – Written By – Michael Lloyd 2:00
- A3 Wait A Minute For Country – Written By – Guy Hemric, Mike Curb 1:55
- A4 My Group Has Too Many Cavities – Written By – Harley Hatcher 2:00
- A5 Alle Alle Oxen Free – Written By – Guy Hemric, Jerry Styner 2:00
- B1 Cattanooga Cats Theme – Written By – Mike Curb, Hanna & Barbera 1:15
- B2 Country Carnival – Written By – Guy Hemric, Val Jean Johns 1:50
- B3 Johnny Johnny Jump-Up – Written By – Guy Hemric, Mike Curb 2:00
- B4 My Girlfriend Is A Witch – Written By – Michael Lloyd 1:55
- B5 My Birthday Suit – Written By – Harley Hatcher 1:40
- B6 Merry Go ‘Round – Written-By – Guy Hemric, Val Jean Johns 2:30
Michael Jeffrey Lloyd (born November 3, 1948) is a record producer, arranger, songwriter and musician. After working with Mike Curb, Kim Fowley, and others in the mid-to-late 1960s on musical projects including the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, and Steven Spielberg’s first short film, Amblin’, he became a producer of such teen idol pop stars as the Osmonds, Shaun Cassidy and Leif Garrett in the 1970s.
Mike Curb was the manager for The Clingers in 1969 and met Peggy Clinger (January 11, 1949 – August 9, 1975). The Clingers was one of the first rock-and-roll girl bands. They started as a barbershop quartet and recorded five singles before transitioning to playing their own instruments in a rock band in 1966. The members consisted of the four Clinger sisters: Patsy (drums), Debra (bass), Melody (guitar), and Peggy (keyboard).
During the 1969–1970 season, Cattanooga Cats ran one hour and contained four segments: Cattanooga Cats, Around the World in 79 Days, It’s the Wolf! and Motormouse and Autocat. During the 1970–1971 season, It’s the Wolf! and Motormouse and Autocat were spun off into a half-hour show.
Around the World in 79 Days remained as part of Cattanooga Cats, which was reduced to a half-hour. Motormouse and Autocat ran concurrently with Cattanooga Cats until both met their demise at the end of the 1970–1971 season.
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