Born Benjamin Sherman Crothers (May 23rd 1910 in Terre Haute, Indiana and passed away November 22nd, 1986 in Van Nuys, California), he started performing in the speak-easy circuit of Chicago in the latter part of the “Roaring ‘20s”. In 1931, he got his own radio show on WFMK Dayton, Ohio; billing himself: Scat Man. In 1935, he made his first appearance in a film, a short called “Symphony In Black” with Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. He would go on to act in 45 more motion pictures including “The Shining”, “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”, “Bronco Billy”, “Aristocats”, "Hong Kong Phooey", “The Shootist”, “Silver Streak”, “The Lady Sings The Blues”, “Scavenger Hunt”, “Twilight Zone: The Movie” and “Transformers: The Movie”. In 1943, Scatman moved to Hollywood, California and hired an agent. In 1948 he was one of the first African Americans to land a recurring role on a network TV show: “Dixie Showboat”. Over the next three decades, Scatman appeared in hundreds of TV programs including 65 episodes of NBC’s sitcom “Chico and the Man” as Louis the garbage-man, 18 guest appearances on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show”, and “Colgate Comedy Hour”, “The Jack Benny Show”, “Nat King Cole Show”, “The Steve Allen Show”, “Casablanca”, “Roots”, The Super Globetrotters”, and “Sanford and Son”.

Starting in 1948, Scatman recorded individual tracks and several albums for various record labels. In 1975, he met record producer/songwriter Andrew A. Melzer with whom he would collaborate between 1977 and 1979. Melzer wrote a dance tune for Scatman: “Scoot On Over To Scat’s” and produced it in August of 1979 at the legendary Kendun Recorders in Burbank, California. The original track has never been released, and the original and remixed versions of “Scoot On Over To Scat’s” along with ring tones are now available as downloads. Scatman Crothers received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and it is located in front of the Egyptian Theatre.

Produced and Arranged by Andrew A. Melzer, Piano, Vibes & Percussion: Victor Feldman (Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley, Steely Dan, Tom Waits), Bass: Dennis Belfield (Three Dog Night, Rufus w/ Chaka Khan), Drums: Ralph Humphries (Manhattan Transfer, Al Jarreau, Frank Zappa & Mothers of Invention), Guitar: Al Ciner (American Breed, Three Dog Night, Rufus w/ Chaka Khan), Backround Vocals: Shirlie Matthews (Steely Dan, Joe Cocker, B.B. King, The Doobie Bros., Barbra Streisand), Dianne Brooks (Count Basie, Bette Midler, Boz Scaggs, Dusty Springfield, Anne Murray) Recorded and Mixed at Kendun Recorders Burbank, California August 18th, 19th & 22nd, 1979, Engineered by Joe Laux, Mixed by Joe Laux and Andrew A. Melzer, Remixed in 2011 by Erik Hawk, Mastered by Michael Denten, Music & Lyrics by Andrew A. Melzer (SOCAN) Published in the U.S.A.by Twenty One Publications USA (ASCAP) In all other territories by Twenty One Publications (SOCAN) C & P by Andrew A. Melzer International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved PANDA DIGITAL Catalog Number PDCD0278 UPC 800040027827.

Licensing for Film & TV

We are placing much effort into getting our catalog of recordings in front of the music supervisors who chose the music for major motion picture studios, television networks, independent film makers, documentary producers and advertising agencies. Our music has been licensed for various motion pictures, documentaries, television shows as well as for advertising.