This was not the original meta I had planned for today, but the other one was a bit harder and with this being Christmas week and all I thought I'd launch one that should (emphasis on should) be a bit easier for people who are busy with all the other things.
I want to wish EVERYONE the Merriest of holidays and my hope for a great year to come.
I would rate this a Kitten or at most a Calico
KITTEN
CALICO
Persian
Puma
Lion
I will try to post nudges, if needed Friday. The reveal will be delayed until Wednesday and, since I am traveling Wednesday, the Dec 27th MEOW will probably not be until Wednesday evening.
My thanks to Bird Lives who tested this puzzle
Hopefully they are not even needed, but here they are.
Nudges:
Nudge 1] Well obviously "music" is part of it. Do you see any well-known (and I suppose for the sake of argument, "retro") songs in the Grid?
Nudge 2] What is the more formal title for a "Chair"?
Nudge 3] Check out the fedora on the guy in front of the chair. Any singer famous for his fedora?
Nudge 4] Clues 50A and 65D were meant to be "Easter Eggs"
Nudge 5] Clue 50A was SUPPOSED to be "Pack animal" and somehow I changed it in editing - drat!
Nudge 6] If all else fails play the music shown on the graphic!
Reveal:
There are seven songs named in the clues/grid, all from "Old Blue Eyes", the "Chairman of the Board", Frank Sinatra
For a graphic depiction of the reveal please go to: