page_title: Phil Thomas Katt
section_title: Early Recording Career
hierarchical_section_title: Phil Thomas Katt / Early Recording Career
caption_attribution_description: English: Phil Thomas Katt Performing in the Late 70s
context_page_description: Phil Thomas Katt, sometimes called PTK, is a singer/songwriter, filmmaker, music video producer, and radio DJ from Pensacola, Florida. He is the creator and host of The Uncharted Zone, a weekly, web-based program that showcases the music videos of both local musicians and artists across the globe. He also hosts PTK Late Nite on Radio Free Pensacola, an internet radio station.
  Phil Thomas Katt is renowned for his use of self-describing adjectives, including "The Space-Happy," "The Flamboyant," and, perhaps his best known, "The Eccentric". He is recognized for his "smooth, Southern voice" and trademark black shag hairdo and sunglasses.
context_section_description: Katt was heavily influenced by the music of David Gates and Bread. This influence eventually inspired him to begin writing his own songs. One of his first compositions was penning lyrics to an instrumental on an album he owned. He later learned guitar to accompany his singing, and, in 1974, formed an acoustic duo, called SUNRISE, with singer/songwriter, Roger Beasley, performing at private parties.
  By 1977, Katt had recorded his first record, titled "Brand New Love." He recorded it under the name "Phil" at Prestige Productions Records in Birmingham, Alabama. Katt hand-delivered copies of the 45rpm record to radio stations across the southeastern United States and received airplay on a number of them.
  That same year, Katt also made his first television appearance on The Country Boy Eddie Show, a local morning music, variety and talk show also based in Birmingham. He was also the warm-up act for Tony McGil, an Elvis impersonator, touring the Southeast and performing at Saenger Theaters and various Municipal Auditoriums.
  In 1978, Katt signed a contract with King Records. His second single, "Rockin' In My Chevy," was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee and was released nationwide. To support the single's release, Katt toured a string of roller skating rinks, where he signed his first autographs.
caption: Phil Thomas Katt performing live in the Late 70s
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