HOMEGROWN ROCKER 9/12/10 (MIKE VAVREK)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the Sept. 12 edition of Rocky 99 and Rocky 104.9's weekly local music program, "The Homegrown Rocker," which airs every Sunday night from 9 to 11 PM during football season on WRKW-FM (www.rocky99.com) and WRKY-FM (www.rocky1049.com).

Thanks to our guest this week, Johnstown-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Mike Vavrek (www.mikevavrek.bandcamp.com). We got acquainted with Mike and heard his story, as he offered insight into the power of music as a healing force and rallying point. We heard recorded tracks from Mike’s self-produced CD Said Like Singing, and he brought a guitar and played a few live for us as well. We updated “Local Music News,” introduced new songs by Dave Distefano and Mahajibee Blues, reviewed Metropolis America’s The Hospital for Regret & Dreams in “The Professor’s CD Corner,” and broke out a 1986 song by The Regime for a “Local Music Flashback.”

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

MARK DEROSE BAND – “Breathing Life”
KYX – “I Don’t Wanna See Your Back”
MIKE VAVREK – “Shimmering”
DAVE DISTEFANO – “The Ballad of DD”
MIKE VAVREK – “Thumbin’ to Memphis” (performed live on the air)
MAHAJIBEE BLUES – “Little Man:
MIKE VAVREK – “Going Away”

HOUR TWO:

THE SUNFLOWER SPECTACLE – “The Cambria County Fair Ship Song”
APPALACHIAN TRANSLATOR – “False Alarm”
MIKE VAVREK – “Carry On” (performed live on the air)
METROPOLIS – “All These Messes in My Head”
MIKE VAVREK – “Piece of Me” (performed live on the air)
THE REGIME – “Victorious” (1986, Local Music Flashback)
MIKE VAVREK – “Down Here”

Our next program will be almost exactly 6 months removed from the next St. Patrick’s Day. So with the help of our band guests, local Irish-rocking favorites Full Kilt, we’ll celebrate that fact with the “Midway to St. Patty’s Day Party!” We’ll meet and learn the Full Kilt story, and hear some live footage from the group! We’ll also spotlight other local and regional bands and artists who “get their Irish up” on area stages! We’ll also update Local Music News, review the Kilmaine Saints’ The Good, The Plaid and the Ugly CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner,” and dig into the local music archive for another “Local Music Flashback!” The “Midway to St. Patrick’s Day Party” with Full Kilt on the “Homegrown Rocker,” this Sunday night!

Forthcoming guests and specials include:

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
JAN. 9 – JACKSON MONSOUR

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…

One of Altoona’s most promising original bands has called it quits. In a surprising development, Acalasia has decided to go their separate ways, citing changing career aspirations. Watch for new projects to arise from the ashes.

Altoona classic rocking favorites Half Tempted are in search of a new drummer to replace Clint Carothers, who will be leaving the band at year’s end. The group is currently preparing to audition possible replacements.

Sterling Koch has procured the talents of former Doobie Brothers, Stevie Nicks, Joe Walsh and Delbert McClinton drummer Chet McCracken to record the drum tracks for his next CD. Recording of these tracks will take place at C & C Recording Studio in West Hills, CA in October. Koch is also in talks with former Stevie Ray Vaughan bassist Tommy Shannon to record the bass tracks for the CD; but that has not yet been confirmed, pending the coordination of the two musicians’ schedules.

A benefit show to raise money to purchase phone cards for members of the military to keep in touch with their families over the upcoming holiday season will take place later this month. Presented by Sin Sisters Promotions, the “This One’s for the Soldiers; Rock That Ink” benefit will happen on Friday night, September 24, at 30 Something in Altoona. The bands Bad Daze, Mindspine and Super Bob from Washington, DC will donate their talents that night.