{"product_id":"white-boy-and-the-average-rat-band_st_2025_dif","title":"s\/t","description":"White Boy and the Average Rat Band was formed in late 1979 in the unlikely small mountain town of Richlands, Virginia by guitarist\/songwriter Michael Matney. Fresh out of high school in 1979, Matney ventured over the mountain to neighboring Tennessee to try his luck in Nashville, the mecca of music. There, Matney joined “Tabu,” Kriss Famous's long-established local band, replacing Ron Keel on lead guitar. This is how Matney was dubbed \"White Boy.\" His time with “Tabu” and in Nashville was brief before his return to Virginia. Back home, Matney took a job with a local record store and recording studio owner who gave him recording time in exchange for his employment. There, Matney spearheaded his own project, “White Boy and the Average Rat Band,” writing, composing, and producing the self-titled debut album. On this project, Matney played all instruments, with the exception of the two drummers used to finalize the album. Musicians were then gathered to represent a band on the album and at concerts. In 1980, White Boy and the Average Rat Band's self-titled debut album was released as a limited edition of 300 copies, 50 of which were lost. Distribution was very limited, which only increased the curiosity surrounding the album. In the early 1980s, the band had a short existence, largely surpassed by its reputation over the following two decades. Matney then embarked on other projects, notably as a live guitarist alongside Dr. Hook and as a touring guitarist with David Allen Coe. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Matney, the name White Boy and the Average Rat Band acquired near-cult status among record collectors worldwide, seeking out private press releases and marginal rock bands. As records continued to circulate among these collectors, the album became increasingly difficult to find, reaching prices of hundreds of dollars. In 2010, a bootleg pressing of the album began to circulate. This unofficial release met high demand. Although the band had not yet discovered it at the time and it was clearly made without authorization, this bootleg only enhanced its cult status. Riding Easy offers the first official reissue of this lost 1980 album.","brand":"White Boy And The Average Rat Band","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55825509908824,"sku":null,"price":24000121.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0898\/4943\/0360\/files\/0737879948651_e5ea1522-1a69-4afa-937f-58c39fa2ac4f.jpg?v=1760727874","url":"https:\/\/vinyles.com\/en-us\/products\/white-boy-and-the-average-rat-band_st_2025_dif","provider":"Vinyles.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}