"The Last DJ," the Sequel...

[Jim Price]

"And there goes the last DJ
Who plays what he wants to play
And says what he wants to say"

- Tom Petty

The last time I started a post like this was on September 22, 2008, when I was let go by Q94 Radio.

It has now happened again.

I was informed earlier today that after six years of hosting the "Homegrown Rocker" on Rocky 104.9 and Rocky 99, I have been let go by Forever Broadcasting, and last night's program - with Pat McGinnis as guest - was my last on Rocky.

As was the case six years ago, it is a business decision, nothing personal. "Corporate" heads are consolidating and cutting back staff once again, and all of the Rocky part-timers are being jettisoned. They are implementing a new satellite-based music system before the end of the year.

I want to publicly thank Tommy Edwards of Rocky 104.9 for bringing me on board after Q94 cut me, and giving the "Homegrown Rocker" six more years of life. And thanks to Mike Stevens of Rocky 99 for allowing the show to expand to new audiences in western PA. The show accomplished a great deal in that six year span. Thanks to both Tommy and Mike for the support, and to Tommy for fighting the fight to keep the show around during this current situation. It is much appreciated!

While disappointed, this did not hit me as hard as the Q94 decision six years ago did. I always knew that this was a possibility of working under a corporate umbrella like Forever. It is the nationwide trend of corporate commercial radio, to cut overhead costs and maximize profits. I am a casualty of that system, just like many other radio people in recent years. I am more disappointed about the "Homegrown Rocker" being cancelled than I am my own situation, since radio is no longer my primary source of income. As I said back in 2008, this probably marks my official retirement from commercial radio.

But not from the "Homegrown Rocker." My goal will be to explore and entertain options to continue the "Homegrown Rocker" - perhaps as an online entity, or on public radio. I'll be brainstorming and discussing the matter with various people to see what can be done to keep local music "radio" happening.

So bottom line - the "Homegrown Rocker" may be down, but hopefully, not out. Stay tuned...

[CMOR]

Damn...

Sorry to hear this, Jim. Again. I feel it pretty safe to say, anything myself, or just about anybody else on RP, can do, give us a shout. You have done, and will continue to do, so much for local music that we could never do enough to repay you.

Steve

[bassist_25]

What shitty news. However, exploring the possibility of putting Homegrown Rocker on public radio would be awesome. I've listened to a lot of the Folk Show on the weekends.

[Jim Price]

Agreed, Paul. I listen to the Folk Show as well, and the idea of the "Homegrown Rocker" someday achieving a status like the "Prairie Home Companion" is appealing as well...

[bassist_25]

the idea of the "Homegrown Rocker" someday achieving a status like the "Prairie Home Companion" is appealing as well...

I just hope that you sing better than Garrison Keillor.

[GoneForever]

How about doing it as a podcast?

[RobTheDrummer]

Screw all that, why not do a live streaming version and have it put on youtube.

[old Skool]

Like Paul said shitty news indeed. A lot of bands/musicians got exposure through the Backyard Rocker and Homegrown Rocker shows. Kudos JP for trying to keep it alive, not many people would have put the time or effort into doing it in the first place let alone trying to keep it going. Muchly appreciated!

[Hannibal]

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, JP. I'm saddened to hear of this happening again, but a thought for you.

How about "Keystone Rocker" or something similar on you tube or other venue online? The exposure could be amazing. I'm sure you have enough material on file to get something online in a suitable format. Are the rights to the material from the older programs owned by the radio stations? Or by you? The show name, probably, but the rights to the other materials?

[Jim Price]

I'm not sure how the name game works, Hannibal...There's nothing on paper saying that Forever owns the "Homegrown Rocker" name, just as there was never anything on paper saying that Q94's ownership owned the "Backyard Rocker" name; I came up with both names. But "Keystone Rocker" might be a possibility for the new incarnation of the show when it surfaces. I also get the feeling that if my most recent broadcast employer wants to save money by not paying me to do the "Homegrown Rocker" on Sunday nights, they would be foolish to turn around and spend money on legal action to prevent me from using the "Homegrown Rocker" name elsewhere.

As far as the materials, I archived the entire run of "Homegrown Rocker" programs with musical guests and interviews, and have all the artist liners and live performances from the show as well. I likely wouldn't be using any of the materials on the new program other than the artist liners moving forward (and for those I can easily remove any references to the former station they aired on). The theme music for the show intro and outro is by Wine Of Nails, and I would likely retain that music for the open and close of the show's new incarnation.