HOMEGROWN ROCKER 8/22/10 (KEN GRAY)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the August 22 edition of Rocky 99 and Rocky 104.9's weekly local music program, "The Homegrown Rocker," which airs every Sunday night from 8 to 10 PM on WRKW-FM (www.rocky99.com) and WRKY-FM (www.rocky1049.com).

Thanks to our guest this week, Northern Cambria-based singer, songwriter, solo performer and Ganister frontman Ken Gray (www.myspace.com/kengray). Ken updated us on his latest happenings, including a progress report on his debut solo CD, which should be out by year’s end. Ken also brought guitar along and did five songs live on the air, including a version of Lady GaGa’s “Poker Face” for his daughter. Along the way, we debuted new tunes from NailDriver and The Feens, dug into the archive for a 1993 song by Baltimore’s Archer for a “Local Music Flashback,” updated “Local Music News” and reviewed Roy Handy & the Moonshot’s (I’m Gonna Be) Your Best Friend CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner.”

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

HI-TYDE – “Bad Night”
CANDLELIGHT RED – “Closer”
KEN GRAY – “Breathe” (performed live on the air)
ACALASIA – “Paint These Smiles On”
KEN GRAY – “Our Story” (performed live on the air)
GANISTER – “Villain Inside”
KEN GRAY – “Under My Skin” (performed live on the air)
NAILDRIVER – “The Executioner”
THE FEENS – “Space Van”

HOUR TWO:

JOHN CHARNEY – “Wo Ooh Oh”
RICH “ALLHEART” EDMUNDSON – “Percussive Guitar” (performed live on air 4/11/10)
KEN GRAY – “Today” (performed live on the air)
ROY HANDY AND THE MOONSHOT – “I Am a Dog”
KEN GRAY – “Poker Face” (performed live on the air)
ARCHER – “Reflections/Comfort Me” (1993, Local Music Flashback)
KEN GRAY – “Saving Grace”
THIS CALLING – “1,000 Words”

We’re approaching the start of another football season, and because both Rocky 99 and Rocky 104.9 air Pittsburgh Steelers football, there will be some impact on the “Homegrown Rocker.” There will be no show on Sunday, August 29 due to the Steelers’ Sunday night preseason game against the Denver Broncos. The show will return on Sunday, September 5 with another installment of the “Cover Song Special,” as we hear area bands and artists covering and interpreting other people’s tunes. Starting the following Sunday, September 12, the “Homegrown Rocker” will air an hour later each week during the Steelers’ season, from 9 to 11 PM. Once again, no show on August 29; catch the “Cover Song Special” edition of the “Homegrown Rocker” on September 5 from 8 to 10 PM.

Forthcoming guests and specials include:

SEPT. 12 – MIKE VAVREK
SEPT. 19 – FULL KILT
SEPT. 26 – ROYAL BENSON
OCT. 3 – ORIGINAL SIN
OCT. 10 – ACOUSTIC JAM SPECIAL
OCT. 17 – MYSTERYTRAIN
OCT. 24 – SCORCHED
OCT. 31 – (NO SHOW DUE TO STEELERS FOOTBALL)
NOV. 7 – SYNESTHESIA
NOV. 14 – (NO SHOW DUE TO STEELERS FOOTBALL)
NOV. 21 – AFTER THE FALL
NOV. 28 – THE TAKEN
DEC. 5 – (NO SHOW DUE TO STEELERS FOOTBALL)
DEC. 19 – CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
DEC. 26 – 2010 YEAR IN REVIEW SPECIAL, PART 1
JAN. 2 – 2010 YEAR IN REVIEW SPECIAL, PART 2

For regular updates on what is happening on the area music scene, pay a visit to Rockpage (www.rockpage.net). Rockpage features band links, a message board, "Homegrown Rocker" updates, the online 'zine publication "The Final Cut," and other local music scene information.

Bands and artists interested in having music aired on "The Homegrown Rocker" are invited to send their broadcast-quality recordings to: WRKY Radio, One Forever Drive, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648; ATTN: Jim Price. Or drop the recordings off at the station during regular business hours, Monday-Friday 9 AM - 5 PM. You can also email me with inquiries about the show at profjp@rocky1049.com.

Jim Price

In Local Music News…

Mysterytrain is playing shorthanded at the moment, as keyboardist Gina Riggio is logging hospital time in Pittsburgh and is on the disabled list. The group is still seeking a new rhythm guitar player to replace Brian McHugh, who left earlier this year. Mysterytrain performed as a four-piece during this past Saturday’s Jeffy Showalter Memorial Ride post-party at the Campbell Hill Rec Room near Geeseytown. The ‘Train makes their next stop next weekend (Aug. 27-28) at the Sunsational Family Campground in Millmont for their Harvest Celebration festival event.

Pittsburgh singer/songwriter Brad Yoder will release his new CD shortly. The new disc, called Excellent Trouble, will be available at the end of this month, and a CD-release event in the Pittsburgh area will be announced soon.

Northeastern Pennsylvania rockers Pan.a.ce.a are set to release a new acoustic-geared EP called Bare Bones. Featuring 8 songs, the disc is scheduled to be released on September 21. Pan.a.ce.a has also recently finished work on a video for the title track of their latest album We The Broken. The group also will open for Fuel September 9 at The Village in Lancaster, and opens for The Badlees at the Overtime Sports Bar in Hershey on September 25.

Pottsville-based modern rockers Faith In Exile are set to release their new CD. The disc, called Victims, will be officially unveiled at a CD release event at a Pottsville venue on September 4.