HOMEGROWN ROCKER 3/27/11 (STERLING KOCH)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the March 27 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 via phone, “Homegrown Rocker” frequent-flyer guest Sterling Koch (www.sterlingkoch.com)! Sterling enlightened us on his new solo CD, Slide Ruler, where he enlisted the talents of former Stevie Ray Vaughan bassist Tommy Shannon and former Doobie Brothers drummer Chet McCracken. We heard tracks from the CD, and dug into Sterling’s past to feature a 1989 song from his Sterling “Cooke” days for this week’s “Local Music Flashback!” Along the way, we debuted new songs from Ben Dumm & the Deviants, Jimmy Adler, Mama Corn, Matt Otis and Nate Myers & the Aces. We also updated “Local Music News,” and reviewed PA. Crude’s Under the Wrecking Ball CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner.”

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

EMILY’S TOYBOX – “Angels Falling”
BEN DUMM & THE DEVIANTS – “Dirty Corner”
STERLING KOCH – “Slide Ruler/If You Wanna Rock & Roll”
JIMMY ADLER – “Horseshoe Curve”
STERLING KOCH – “Dimples”
MAMA CORN – “Goin’ Up the Mountain”
STERLING KOCH – “Driving Wheel”
MATT OTIS – “Slow It Down”

HOUR TWO:

NORMAN NARDINI – “Ready Freddy”
NATE MYERS & THE ACES – “The Untouchable”
STERLING KOCH – “Sleepwalk”
PA CRUDE – “Shoes”
STERLING KOCH – “Stop Messin’ Around”
STERLING COOKE (KOCH) – “Savoy Shuffle” (1989, Local Music Flashback)
STERLING KOCH – “The Sun Will Shine”
DUSTIN WAGNER (w/FELIX KOS) – “Givers and Takers”
EAST COAST TURNAROUND – “Love, Life & Murder”

On our next program, our guest in the studio will be Bedford-based singer and songwriter Matt Otis. We’ll learn Matt’s story, and hear songs from his brand new CD, Life Love Death; plus listeners will have chances to call in to win a copy! We’ll also update “Local Music News,” dig into the archive for a “Local Music Flashback,” and review another local CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner!” Matt Otis visits the “Homegrown Rocker,” next Sunday night!

Upcoming guests and specials include:

APRIL 10 – EAST COAST TURNAROUND
APRIL 24 – E.V.K.
MAY 1 – DAY OF ROCK PREVIEW
MAY 8 – CHRIS VIPOND & THE STANLEY STREET BAND
MAY 15 – CITY HOTEL “BATTLE OF THE ACOUSTICS” WINNER
MAY 22 – GYPSY CARAVAN
MAY 29 – MEMORIAL DAY SPECIAL
JUNE 5 – THE WHATLEYS
JUNE 12 – MINDSPINE
JUNE 19 – FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL

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…

Mindspine has reformed with a new line-up, after stepping away from action late last year. New bassist Mandy Coover and lead guitarist David McKinley join founding members Jason Eyer on vocals, David Eyer on keys and Adam Rider on drums. Mindspine recently advanced to the second round of a battle of the bands contest at Pittsburgh’s Hard Rock Café. The eventual winner of the worldwide battle will play the main stage at the Hard Rock Calling Festival in London’s Hyde Park in late June. The new Mindspine will be guests on the “Homegrown Rocker” on June 12.

The band Royal Benson also enjoyed some success in a battle of the bands event this past week. The group won a preliminary round this past Thursday night in a “Battle of the Bands” at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Casino and Racetrack. Royal Benson advances to the semi-final rounds on May 12 and 19, for a shot at the finals on May 26, and a chance at a $10,000 grand prize.

Hollidaysburg ‘80s-era punk rockers The Violent Reactions have resurfaced from semi-retirement to record a new album. Founding member John Parsch and bassist Doug Whittaker are currently recording new song material for a new album that will be released later this year.

Three State College area bands are donating their talents to support the construction of a children’s surgical hospital in Nicaragua. The groups Pure Cane Sugar, Black Coffee and My Hero Zero will perform at the “Surgeons Of Hope” benefit concert, starting at 9 PM on Monday night, March 28 at Café 210 in State College. The donation at the door is $3, and proceeds go to Surgeons Of Hope, whose mission is to construct a children’s hospital in Managua, Nicaragua to provide heart surgery for hundreds of children.