New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Katchats: How Music Shaped Her Life... Part 1


By KAT Lini Falcey

originally published: 11/04/2024

Castle Brown Blues Band (far left Tj Tindall, 2nd on left John Lini - Kat's brother)

When I was growing up, there was always music playing. The first thing my mom did was turn on the radio in our kitchen before even making coffee and breakfast. My mom was the type person who would call into local radio station DJ's and she’d win trips to NYC Dinner Shows and even to Las Vegas. She won a lot by staying tuned in.

My dad would turn on the radio right after he opened the doors to his Beauty Salon 6 days a week. Playing popular music that was current along with classic oldies. He would even sing along. Even though he would do it jokingly, he had the best voice. And was always singing.

My older brother, who was 9 years older than me was a product of the early 1950’s then I was born in 1959.

John and Joyce Lini (Kat's parents) at a 1955 NYC Dinner Theatre.

My brother had many musical friends that would come to our home to practice with their bands. My brother was a singer in the Castle Brown Blues Band for awhile and he would bring me to the Battle of the Bands in Trenton and even John and Peters in New Hope, PA. I was about 9 years young and I soaked it all up.

At the time, since I was the oldest out of 5 girls I would befriend my brothers friends and at the time I really didn’t realize just how musically talented they were.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



My favorite friend of my brothers was Tj Tindall. Who went on to fame with Huff and Gamble out of Philadelphia. Tj was shown performing on the television program American Bandstand and also toured with Bonnie Raitt. So he was amazingly good. Even was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliances Walk of Fame twice. Along with performing in over 38 Gold and Platinum R&B records. Look him up and you’ll see the super cool talent that I grew up with. Tj Tindall shaped the Philadelphia Music Scene.

(MIDDLE) Tj Tindall (RIGHT) John Lini at World Cafe Live Philly 2019

I took piano lessons at a young age however I never excelled in music. Art was more of my passion and back in 1977, I was accepted at Parsons School of Art, Pratt Institute and the Fashion Institute of Technology, all located in NYC. 

At the time we were deep into racial tension, rioting and violence. My dad did not allow me to go to college in NYC and because of this, I will always feel there was a huge void in my life. Art was my thing.

After I graduated I worked for two straight years then I moved to Southern California and moved in with a friend and his family, till I was able to get my own place.

Kat and her brother John giving her away back in 1983 California

During this time from 1979-1989, I lived in Fullerton, Corona Del Mar, Costa Mesa, San Clemente and ended up in Oceanside where I bought a home and raised my first two children.

When I was single and working in Fashion Merchandising while attending Saddleback Community College, in brand new Mission Viejo, I had the time of my life.

Then I switched to the Hotel Management Business for over 17 years. Starting off at the front desk, then Banquets and Catering , then Assistant to the Hotel Comptroller. I went on to Hotel Sales Manager where I was promoted to Travel and Tourism. I lived in Mazatlán Mexico back when Time Share was popular and made a whole lotta pesos at the time.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



I greeted American Tourists and I was always told, wow you speak perfect English. The tourists from the USA would never believe I was a Jersey girl.

I attended NO NUKES Concerts and got back stage and met Jackson Browne, Graham Nash and Bruce Springsteen. I remember attending a concert on Valentines Day at the Whiskey A-Go Go, to see the Romantics and I got in with a bottle of Dom Per-ion champagne that I had up my blazer sleeve. I walked right up to the stage and popped it open and shared it with the band. I always felt at ease and comfortable around musicians.

My musical tastes were all over the board. First lots of classic folk rock. Then I got into the band Yes, Genesis, SuperTramp, Cat Stevens, Sly and the Family Stone, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones and my favorite The Doors.

So you see I have always had music around me. It was always easy for me to gravitate towards musicians and artists. That was my foundation and when I turned 40, I decided to really dive in.

My next article will bring you up to date from my 40’s-60’s and how music once again shaped my life.

 

Kat and Philly DJ Pierre Robert World Cafe Live 2019



KAT Lini Falcey ~ daughter, sister, mother, wife, Grandmother, music enthusiast, Promoter, Hotel Management, Travel and Tourism and booking agent for over 25 years. Recently retired with SO many stories to share.

FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Special

Special Event: Juneteenth Arts Celebration Kickoff Concert

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) - Vail Mansion
110 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Early

Early Elton Trio

Thursday, June 19, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Trouble

Trouble Man: A Tribute to Marvin Gaye

Thursday, June 19, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: music


 

Soul

Soul Project Nola

Thursday, June 19, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Jazz

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

Thursday, June 19, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Add

Add It Up: Violent Femmes to Stack Their Hits During Fall 2025 Tour

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The trailblazing folk-punk band Violent Femmes have announced that they are bringing their genre-defying sound back to the stage with a highly anticipated North American Fall Tour. Locally, the band will perform at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on Monday, October 6, 2025. Showtime is 8:00pm.



Middlesex

Middlesex County's FolkLIVE: Gospel Music Festival Returns with Headliners Fred Hammond and Kierra Sheard

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Get ready to experience an uplifting celebration of gospel music at Middlesex County’s second annual FolkLIVE: Gospel Music Festival, featuring Grammy Award-winning artist Fred Hammond and Grammy Award-nominated artist Kierra Sheard, along with a lineup of rising local talent on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Monument Square Park. The event runs from 2:00pm–6:00pm and takes place rain or shine.  Admission is free.



Middlesex

Middlesex County hosts an Evening of Music with the New Jersey Symphony at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park

(SOUTH AMBOY, NJ) -- Experience the sounds of the New Jersey Symphony under the stars at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 6:00pm–9:30pm. This family-friendly event is open to the public.



PettyBreakers

PettyBreakers Return to Strand Theater in September

(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Get ready for an electrifying night of classic rock as the PettyBreakers, "The World's Greatest Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers!" (AXS-tv), return to the Strand Theater in Lakewood, NJ on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 8:00pm.



Levoy

Levoy Theatre presents Sheena Easton

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- On Thursday, September 11, 2025, Sheena Easton will perform at the Levoy Theatre. Easton, whose career has spanned nearly five decades, has sold over 20 million records worldwide. Doors are at 6:00pm, showtime is 7:00pm.