Thomas “Catt” Sirten, longtime manager at 92 Zew (WZEW) in Mobile, AL, has passed away at the age of 68. The announcement was made by the radio station on Sunday after Sirten’s body was discovered that morning at the station. The cause of death remains unknown.
The statement by Operations Director Tim Camp read, “Catt left us sometime during the morning of Sunday August 6, while in the midst of producing his beloved Sunday Jazz Brunch program. At this time, cause of death is unknown but he was found peacefully asleep listening to the music that he so loved.”
Sirten started as Program Director at WZEW in 1984, leading the independently owned station to offer an album-oriented format that featured a diverse mix of singer-songwriters, blues, and other genres.
Beyond his work at the station, Sirten was also known for his community contributions. He was the organizer of the “Brown Bag” concert series, offering free lunchtime performances in Mobile, Daphne, and Fairhope. Additionally, Sirten had been an educator, teaching video editing at Spring Hill College and Bayside Academy.
Inspired by free-form radio when it was still an art form and not an algorithm, Catt Sirten used the airwaves as his palette, inspiration, creativity and a smooth voice as his brushes, and music as his paint. He remained true to himself, his community and his followers for nearly 5 decades. His Brown Bag at Bienville concerts were a weekly staple for 35+ years, while Radio Avalon and Catt’s Sunday Jazz Brunch just celebrated its 2000th broadcast in July after 38 1/2 years. As he would often say, “Others have to go to work. I GET to go to work! Man, am I blessed!” His influence in Mobile radio and within his community were unique. There will never be another like him.
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