Benjamin "Scatman" Crothers *       "Scatting" is improvising nonsense syllables to a melody and Benjamin "Scatman" Crothers was The King of "Scat". A veteran of radio, television and movies, "Scatman’s" influence on performers will always be heard.       Crothers played the guitar, drums and sang in Indiana speakeasies during high school and he noticed similarities in that music and the music in the black churches. He developed these similarities into what became his personal style. In the mid 30’s, "Scatman" formed his own band and bravely played in communities, which had never heard or seen a black man. He was a guest on radio stations throughout the country, including The Greg Hunter Show from the Brown Derby (Hollywood), Sonny Melendrez Show, and the WCYN-Kay Show (Dayton).       "Scatman" moved to Los Angeles in 1948 and became the first black on L. A. television. He not only acted on many network shows but also won acclaim for his feature film performances. He spent over five decades in the entertainment business and wrote hundreds of songs that he and other musicians performed. "Scatman" Crothers has a sidewalk star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His hand and footprints are on display at the Musicland Wax Museum.       He died in 1986 in Van Nuys, California but his music lives on in the hearts and souls of all who heard him.