Radio 45 Partners with Animal Friends to Help Good Dawgs (and Other Pets) with New Music Single

Pittsburgh-based recording artist Radio 45 is set to release their new single, Good Dawg, inspired by the cherished pets many of us consider family. To celebrate the release, the band is teaming up with Pittsburgh’s Animal Friends, aiming to help “Good Dawgs” (and other pets) find their forever homes.

This collaboration combines the joy of music with the mission of animal rescue, creating a heartfelt tribute to our furry companions while making a meaningful impact in the community.

ABOUT THE SONG

In the summer of 2024, Radio 45 guitarist Aaron Greer found inspiration in an unexpected moment. His wife playfully sang to their dog, Marshall—a spirited 3-year-old micro-mini Labradoodle—saying, “Are you a good dog, are you a bad dog? Which one are you?”

That simple, spontaneous melody stuck with Greer throughout a half-hour drive, eventually sparking the creation of a song. But as the lyrics took shape, the song turned out not to be about a dog at all—it became a reflection of Greer’s own life.

“Good Dawg” took three days—and ten years—to write. It captures a decade of disappointment, hurt, frustration, and resentment, drawn from personal challenges Greer faced during that period.

“Life is what you make of it,” Greer explains passionately. “Even though I had (and have) so much to be happy about, I often found myself dwelling on the hurt and the joyless side of my situations. If you don’t heal your wounds, you end up bleeding on those around you, especially the ones you love and who love you in return.”

At its core, Good Dawg is about the everyday, good-hearted person fighting to stay positive when life becomes overwhelming. It’s Greer’s story, but it’s also everyone’s story—a testament to overcoming struggles and refusing to let them define us.

“I am a good dawg. I am a bad dawg. And so are you.”

And so is “Marshy The Cute Pup” who you can follow on Instagram. @marshy.the.cute.pup

SINGLE RELEASE EVENTS: JANUARY 31 – FEBRUARY 18

Radio 45 is teaming up with some of Pittsburgh’s top rock promoters and venues to celebrate the release of their new single. With the support of regional promoters Fuzion Entertainment, CE Presents, and Drusky Entertainment, the band will host “single release party” events at the following locations:  

• Crafthouse Stage & Grill – January 31  
• Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh – February 11  
• Jergel’s Rhythm Grille – February 18  

These events will feature performances by Radio 45 and their tribute “alter egos,” alongside special guests Space Frehley and Noah Goisse.  

“Good Dawg” took three days—and ten years—to write.

In partnership with Animal Friends, each event will include a “giving tree” with hearts, photos of adoptable animals, and representatives on-site to answer questions and share adoption information. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate great music and support a wonderful cause!

TRAGEDY MADE BETTER BY ANIMAL FRIENDS

Radio 45 founder C. Scott Gilbert endured heartbreak when a beloved kitten his family adopted passed away unexpectedly after routine surgery. “I didn’t even want to own a cat,” Gilbert admitted, “but I fell in love with this charming little orange tabby we named Miss Maisel. She was so loving and had the sweetest disposition.”  

At just six months old, Miss Maisel tragically died due to complications following a routine spay surgery.  

“We were heartbroken,” Gilbert shared. “We had reconfigured our home to create a happy space for Miss Maisel—complete with Litter Robots, climbing poles, and ‘Space Bubble’ observation posts.” After her loss, the empty space felt wrong. “It didn’t seem right to let such a joyful place remain unused,” Gilbert explained. “So, we reached out to Animal Friends to inquire about adopting a new kitty.”

AN UNEXPECTED “DOUBLE TWIST”

“Animal Friends was wonderful and incredibly helpful,” says Gilbert. Something unexpected then happened during their visit. “We were initially interested in one of two sister kittens we were spending time with at the Animal Friends campus,” Gilbert recalls. “But I noticed that when the sisters were separated, one of the kittens seemed stressed and a little lost. Seeing this, I decided to adopt both kittens as a pair—to keep the sisters together.”

The reason for the kittens’ stress when separated only became clear later. Now named Patches and Emma, it was discovered that Emma has severe hearing loss, making her somewhat reliant on her sister, Patches, who has perfect hearing. Years later, Patches and Emma are thriving in their forever home—a heartwarming happy ending. “It’s a fitting tribute to Miss Maisel, who we lost far too soon,” says Gilbert. “See you on the other side, Miss Maisel! Rest well.”

MORE ABOUT RADIO 45

Radio 45 has emerged as a power pop icon over recent years in the tri-state area, headlining county fairs, community events, and the premier venues across Pennsylvania and neighboring states. With a dynamic lineup of seasoned musicians, each member adds their unique touch to the band’s signature sound—a blend of timeless melodies and fresh energy. Known for their anthemic choruses and irresistible hooks, Radio 45 delivers a captivating sonic experience that keeps audiences coming back for more.

A staple on Pittsburgh’s top rock stages, Radio 45 frequently performs at venues like Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh, Crafthouse, 31 Sports Bar, and City Winery Pittsburgh.

“Good Dawg,” Releases on January 31st

Critics have hailed the band as “a piece of pure pop joy that sounds like a cross between The Knack and Fountains of Wayne.” Their sound draws inspiration from legends like The Knack, Cheap Trick, KISS, and the Bay City Rollers, resulting in music that is as nostalgic as it is electrifying.

In addition to their original performances, the band members—Gary, Aaron, Scotto, and Msexy (Mark Wesesky)—transform into their tribute band alter egos, delighting fans as Petty 45 (a tribute to Tom Petty), U245 (a U2 tribute), and Cheap Trick 45 (honoring the quirky brilliance of Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Bun E. Carlos, and Tom Petersson).

MORE ABOUT ANIMAL FRIENDS

For more than 80 years, Animal Friends has been saving, impacting, engaging, enriching and affecting the lives of the pets and people of our region. Since their humble beginnings in 1943, they have grown into a full-service companion animal welfare organization serving the Pittsburgh community through rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, affordable vet care, supportive services, training, education and volunteer opportunities.