HOMEGROWN ROCKER 5/18/14 (PROGMIUM/PROJECT DIAGNOSIS)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the May 18 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). The show can also be streamed via either Rocky website, www.rocky1049.com or www.rocky99.com.

Thanks to this week’s guests, area MS warrior Tim Surkovich, and Progmium members Rob Cunningham and Dave Shaffer for an insightful and special conversation! After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis several years ago, Tim wrote lyrics documenting his ordeal, and after sharing them with singer Randy Sciarrillo, Progmium came together to bring Tim’s story to life musically. The result is the album Project Diagnosis, a progressive rock/metal opera that tells Tim’s story and offers hope to listeners battling a chronic illness. Seventy-five percent of proceeds from the disc’s sale benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society; the disc can be purchased through CDBaby and from band members! We learned the Progmium story and heard pivotal songs off the disc! Along the way, we debuted a new song from Second Empire, updated “Local Music News,” dug a 1993 track from Pittsburgh’s Triple X for this week’s “Local Music Flashback,” and reviewed Ghost Of War’s Only Death Is Real CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner!”

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

RON GALLUCCI – “Dizzyland”
MFG – “Don’t Kill the Moment”
PROGMIUM – “Through My Eyes/Invincible”
SECOND EMPIRE – “Black Heart (Stay Burning)”
PROGMIUM – “Numb”
THE LUX REPUBLIC – “Define”
PROGMIUM – “Diagnosis”

HOUR TWO:

NAILDRIVER – “Seal the Exits”
PROGMIUM – “The Beast Within”
GHOST OF WAR – “Absolute Nothing”
PROGMIUM – “Glimmer of Hope”
TRIPLE X – “Give ‘Em Hell” (1993, Local Music Flashback)
PROGMIUM – “Take Up the Fight!”

Our next program is one of the most popular we do every year…For Memorial Day weekend, we take our annual journey down Local Music Memory Lane with the annual Memorial Day Special, as we spotlight past bands and artists of the area music scene! We will feature popular and obscure local and regional bands and artists and hear their music, some dating back to the 1960s! And in the show’s final half hour, we will pay tribute to some of the musicians we have lost over the years. The Memorial Day Special edition of the “Homegrown Rocker,” next Sunday night!

Upcoming guests and specials include:

JUNE 1 – MODERN COLOUR
JUNE 15 – FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL
JUNE 22 – COVER SONG SPECIAL
JUNE 29 – JARROD BARTOK (SOLEGION)
JULY 20 – CATS IN CONGRESS
AUG. 3 – LOCAL MUSICIANS THEN AND NOW SPECIAL

Bands and artists wanting to submit news items for “Local Music News” may email their news to homegrownrocker@gmail.com (new email address). Indicate “MUSIC NEWS” in the subject heading!

The “Homegrown Rocker” is available for digital download off either Rocky website after each and every show. Just check on either (www.rocky1049.com) or (www.rocky99.com) and download your copy of the show! If you live beyond the signal range of Rocky 104.9 and Rocky 99, you can now download west-central PA’s longest-running local music show!

Also, bands and artists are welcome to add their upcoming shows to the “Homegrown Rocker” event calendar! Go to the “Homegrown Rocker” section of either Rocky website and click on “Events,” and add your shows for free!

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…

The City Hotel in Northern Cambria has crowned a new champion in their fifth annual “Battle of the Acoustics” competition. When the dust settled, audience votes and judges’ decisions were rendered during Thursday night’s finals, it was Jarrod Bartok of Solegion taking top honors, with the duo of Chandler Weaver and Kenzie Blake finishing second and Ground Crew third. As part of his winnings, Jarrod will be the guest on the June 30 edition of the “Homegrown Rocker.”

Bedford-based country-rock group Midnight Rodeo has announced their new bass player to replace the late Roy Corle, who unexpectedly passed away in late March. Duane Sipe will take over bass duties in the group. Duane is a longtime friend of the group, and has recently been performing in the acoustic duo Dunnings Creek with Midnight Rodeo guitarist Mark Diehl.

Another area country band changing bass players is Chris Woodward and ShinDiggin,’ as Paul Rainey is departing the group. Paul’s last show with the group was last night at the Mount Union Carnival. Brianna Sheeder will take over bass duties in the group, and she made her official debut this afternoon with an acoustic performance in Shirleysburg.

“Slide Ruler” Sterling Koch and his band are working on a brand new acoustic album. The disc will feature steel guitar virtuoso Koch and his group giving acoustic makeovers to a number of classic blues and blues rock numbers, including songs from Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Reed, ZZ Top, Albert King, Hound Dog Taylor, John Lee Hooker, Otis Rush, Peter Green and more, plus an original song or two. No word on possible release dates for the disc yet.

(Bands and musicians with local music-related news to report on the “Homegrown Rocker” may submit their news items by emailing homegrownrocker@gmail.com.)