HOMEGROWN ROCKER 3/4/12 (MOUNTAIN ROAD)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the March 4 edition of Rocky 104.9 and Rocky 99's weekly local music program, "The Homegrown Rocker," which airs every Sunday night from 8 to 10 PM on WRKY-FM (www.rocky1049.com) and WRKW-FM (www.rocky99.com).

During last month’s 16th annual Millennium Music Conference in Harrisburg, the “Homegrown Rocker” displayed a drop box at the Pennsylvania Musician Magazine table at the trade show, and invited showcasing bands and artists to submit recordings to the program. At the close of the business portion of the conference, one of the recordings was randomly selected from the box, and that group or artist won an instant guest appearance on this week’s program. That winner was Harrisburg’s Mountain Road. We get acquainted with the band members through an interview recorded shortly after the conference in the lobby of the Radisson Penn Harris Convention Center in Camp Hill. We learned their story, and heard songs from their first full-length CD, Country Rockin’ Blues, and several listeners phoned in to win their own copy of the CD plus an additional free song download from the group! In addition, we continued to introduce music from bands and artists who appeared at this year’s Millennium Music Conference; debuting new songs from The Illuminati, Gypsy Caravan, Eli the Hawk and Gas Station Disco. We also ventured “Across State Lines” twice, during the first hour checking out a song from Columbus, Ohio singer/keyboardist Bill Kurzenberger, and closing the second hour with a song from New Jersey “kitchen-core” lady rockers Short Lived Affair. In addition, we updated “Local Music News,” dug out a 2000 song from Harrisburg’s Stereo Logic for a “Local Music Flashback,” and reviewed Dream Device’s self-titled CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner.”

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

THE ILLUMINATI – “Every Body Luvs U”
GYPSY CARAVAN – “Making It Real”
MOUNTAIN ROAD – “Walkin’”
ELI THE HAWK – “The Legend of Belle Star”
MOUNTAIN ROAD – “Guardian Angel”
BILL KURZENBERGER – “A Day Late and a Dollar Short” (Across State Lines)
MOUNTAIN ROAD – “Little Bit of Blooze”

HOUR TWO:

ATLAS SOUNDTRACK – “Water”
GAS STATION DISCO – “Dancefloor”
MOUNTAIN ROAD – “Right Here with You”
DREAM DEVICE – “Shadow”
MOUNTAIN ROAD – “Brings Me to My Knees”
STEREO LOGIC – “After the Fall” (2000, Local Music Flashback)
MOUNTAIN ROAD – “Pennsylvania Channel Cats”
SHORT LIVED AFFAIR – “Cliffhanger” (Across State Lines)

On our next show, we will again empty the “Homegrown Rocker” mailboxes and check out some of the new recordings that have arrived in recent weeks. We plan to debut lots of new tunes, including the latest from Pittsburgh’s Norman Nardini and State College’s Table Ten! We will also update “Local Music News,” dig into the archive for another “Local Music Flashback,” and review Full Kilt’s new Come Have a Drink with the Band CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner!” Maximum local and regional music on the “Homegrown Rocker,” next Sunday night!

Upcoming guests and specials include:

MAR. 18 – ST. PATTY’S DAY SPECIAL w/FULL KILT
MAR. 25 – MEDIKADED
APR. 8 – JEFF WALLACK MEMORIAL JAM PREVIEW
APR. 15 – SHIFT SEVEN
MAY 13 – RON GALLUCCI
MAY 20 – RICH EDMUNDSON
MAY 27 – MEMORIAL 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…

Several area bands will perform at a benefit fundraiser for the Blair County Respiratory Disease Society next Saturday. The “Balls to the Wall” benefit will start at 4 p.m. at the Bellwood Eagles in Bellwood, and will feature performances from Xs For Eyes, Mysterytrain, Gordie B and the Turtletones, The Jam and Hot Damn. Admission is $10, and advance tickets are available.

Area metalheads NailDriver have switched drummers again. The group recently parted ways with Luke Weaver, and have lured former Dragonfire and The Verge drummer Steve Stuckey out of retirement to replace him. Steve will make his official debut with NailDriver during the annual Jeff Wallack Memorial Show, slated for April 14 at Pellegrine’s in Altoona.

Also set to appear at this year’s Jeff Wallack Memorial Show is the return of metal frontman Todd Giornesto and his self-named band after two decades away from area stages. Todd has assembled a who’s who of his past bandmates into his current project, which features his former Slammer bandmate Matt Socoski on guitar, Ray Moretti on guitar, and his former Beyond Reason rhythm section of drummer John Grasso and bassist Dave Kramer.