Identical twin brothers Ernie and Earl Cates have been staples of the Fayetteville music scene for decades, blowing up to tour the world with Bob Dylan, The Band, Stephen Stills and more. Starting in the 1960s, the brothers released music through different record labels including Electra-Asylum and Atlantic Records. In 2007, the brothers and their band came to what was then known as the AETN studios to perform in front of an enthusiastic live studio audience as part of “AETN Presents.”
Hear original songs, as well as cover songs of artists Little Walter and Chuck Berry, in “AETN Presents: On The Front Row With the Cate Brothers,” which airs Thursday, March 27, at 7 p.m. as part of our “From the Archives” series.
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.”
Humble Beginnings
The Cate Brothers were born in Fayetteville in 1942 and eventually taught themselves how to play their instruments – Ernie on piano and Earl on guitar. Early on, the brothers were influenced by Ronnie Hawkins. Hawkins’s band The Hawks broke off and formed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group The Band. The brothers had an early invitation to join The Band, but it was not until 1983 that the brothers joined a reformed version of The Band for a brief period.
The Cate Brothers 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.
“We all wondered when The Cate Brothers would be ‘discovered,’” a member of the live studio audience for the 2007 performance and longtime friend of the brothers Joe Starr said. “Although this process came in fits and starts, they eventually signed with Electra-Asylum [Records] and had a top 40 hit, ‘Union Man’ in 1975-1976.”
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” and “Austin City Limits,” as well as television programs in Canada and Europe.
Becoming a Northwest Arkansas Staple
The brothers have close ties to the music venues in Fayetteville such as the Rockwood Club and George’s Majestic Lounge, which birthed their musical influences.
“Twin boys, Ernie and Earl Cates were just boys when they started hanging out at the Rockwood Club to hear the music that seduced them,” former President Bill Clinton narrated in Larry Foley’s “Up Among the Hills.” “Now in their sixth decade of playing together with many of their original bandmates, the Cate Brothers are as much a part of Fayetteville’s scene as their favorite haunt George’s Majestic Lounge.”
The city still resonates with the brothers.
“Being born in Arkansas, it’s always been home to us,” Earl said. “We’ve spent a lot of time in LA and New York. No matter where we went, whether it was Europe or Japan or wherever, it was always good to get home.”
In “Up Among the Hills,” rock and roll scholar Eric Johnson said that if he is walking down Dickson Street, he is “hearing the sound of our town.”
Continuing the Legacy
Starr said the brothers still have a large following in the Fayetteville area.
“At a December show at George’s on Dickson Street in Fayetteville, the place was packed,” Starr said. “They will always pack venues in Fayetteville as long as they want to play. My family has admired the Cates for many years. What better way to say thanks and keep the fire burning than to sponsor a rebroadcast of their soulful 2008 ‘AETN Front Row’ concert?”
Below is a list of tracks performed in the special:
- “Start All Over Again” – Written by Ernie Cate and Earl Cate
- “There Goes the Neighborhood” – Written by Ernie Cate, Earl Cate and Leroy Preston
- “Union Man” – Written by Ernie Cate, Earl Cate and Steve Cropper
- “Am I Losing You” – Written by Ernie Cate and Earl Cate
- “Crazy Mixed Up World” – Written by Little Walter
- “Where Can We Go” – Written by Ernie Cate and Earl Cate
- “Give It to a Good Man” – Written by David R. Steen
- “Back to Memphis” – Written by Chuck Berry
How to Watch
“AETN Presents: Front Row With the Cate Brothers” airs Thursday, March 27, at 7 p.m. as part of the “From the Archives” series.”