HOMEGROWN ROCKER 2/20/11

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the February 20 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).

With no guests scheduled this week, we took the opportunity to check out some of the new CD’s and other recordings that have arrived at “Homegrown Rocker” headquarters in recent weeks. We thus debuted many new songs, from such names as PA. Crude, Riley Roth, Dustin Wagner, Sterling Koch, Nick Miller, Faith In Exile, X-Terra and Mysterytrain. We updated Local Music News, dug a 1995 song by Riot Act from the archive for a “Local Music Flashback,” stepped “Across State Lines” to hear a song from Brooklyn’s Yarn, and reviewed Halestorm’s live CD/DVD set Live In Philly 2010 in “The Professor’s CD Corner.” Again, it was two hours of maximum local and regional bands and artists!

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

LOVEHATETHING – “Exit Game”
ROADKILL – “Public Service Announcement from the Anti-Valentine’s Day Council”
PA. CRUDE – “Death Is a Woman”
JASON DAVOLI – “Free”
RILEY ROTH – “Butterflies”
E.V.K. – “Fun”
DUSTIN WAGNER (w/FELIX KOS) – “Givers and Takers”
STERLING KOCH – “I’m a Bluesman”
NICK MILLER – “Before I Go”

HOUR TWO:

NAILDRIVER – “Executioner”
INSIDE OUT – “Demons Inside”
FAITH IN EXILE – “One False Word”
HALESTORM – “Love/Hate Heartbreak” (live)
X-TERRA – “Warrior”
RIOT ACT – “In My Soul” (1995, Local Music Flashback)
YARN – “Strikes & Gutters” (Across State Lines)
MYSTERYTRAIN – “As the Day Slips Between” (performed live 11/23/10 in Asbury Park)
ABSOLUTION – “What Makes Me Strong”
NINETAIL – “Trials of a Madman”

On our next program, we will recap the 15th annual Millennium Music Conference, which took place Feb. 17-20 at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center in Camp Hill (near Harrisburg). The “Homegrown Rocker” was in attendance, and we’ll present audio clips from the conference, including the keynote panel discussion with Halestorm! We’ll also hear music from some of the nearly 300 bands and artists who showcased in and around the Harrisburg area during Millennium weekend! And we’ll review a CD from one of those performers: Faith In Exile’s In Defiance of Suffering CD, in “The Professor’s CD Corner!” Hear the lowdown on this year’s Millennium Music Conference on the “Homegrown Rocker,” next Sunday night!

Upcoming guests and specials include:

MARCH 6 – RAIN MUST FALL
MARCH 13 – MILLENNIUM CONTEST WINNER
MARCH 27 – STERLING KOCH
APRIL 3 – MATT OTIS
APRIL 10 – EAST COAST TURNAROUND
MAY 1 – DAY OF ROCK PREVIEW

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, live show and CD reviews in “JP’s Corner," 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...

Popular Clearfield area rock’n’rollers Serious Jones are stepping away from full-time live stage action, and are capping their 8-year run on area stages with a benefit show performance. The group will perform at the Clearfield Soccer Association’s 10th annual Big Bash next Saturday, February 26, at 6 p.m. at the Clearfield Fairgrounds’ Expo I Building. Advance tickets are $25, which includes the band’s performance, dinner, raffle and door prizes. Tickets can be obtained at The Phone Guys’ Clearfield location.

The area music scene was saddened this week by the unexpected passing of Francis Wertz early Monday morning from a heart attack at age 56. Francis was frequently involved in the area music scene as a photographer, roadie and occasional singer, and helped various area bands over the years, most recently Full Kilt and Hot Wax.

And Halestorm drummer Arejay Hale is again in the running for Best Up and Coming Drummer in Modern Drummer Magazine’s annual Readers Poll. The awards are determined by online voting through the magazine’s website. Voting took place through this past Tuesday.