HOMEGROWN ROCKER 3/6/11 (RAIN MUST FALL)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the March 6 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).

As the “Homegrown Rocker” marked its 13th anniversary of first hitting the airwaves this week, we welcomed Altoona-based modern rockers Rain Must Fall (http://www.facebook.com/RainMustFall). We met the band members and learned their story, and heard songs from their recently-issued 4-song EP Black Dirt. And armed with acoustic guitars, Rain Must Fall played two songs live for us as well! Along the way, we updated “Local Music News,” dug into the archive for a 1998 song by DD & the Swinghounds for a "Local Music Flashback," and two lucky listeners scored blocks of 4 tickets to the March 11 Michale Graves (Misfits) acoustic show at Aldo’s. We also debuted new songs by Iroquois Confederacy, Lovebettie and Boss 302; and we reviewed Sterling Koch’s Slide Ruler CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner.”

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

CHRIS VIPOND & THE STANLEY STREET BAND – “Be”
THE CLOVER – “One Part Whiskey”
RAIN MUST FALL – “Come On!”
IROQUOIS CONFEDERACY – “Jetstream”
RAIN MUST FALL – “Radio” (performed live on the air)
THE GOOD SEEDS – “Feel”
RAIN MUST FALL – “Borderline”
LOVEBETTIE – “Dirty Mary”

HOUR TWO:

DUBMISSIVE – “Rebel Song”
GANISTER – “Villain Inside”
RAIN MUST FALL – “Midwestern Girl”
STERLING KOCH – “One Way Out”
RAIN MUST FALL – “Between January” (performed live on the air)
DD & THE SWINGHOUNDS – “Daydream” (1998, Local Music Flashback)
RAIN MUST FALL – “Parallel”
BOSS 302 – “Highway”

On our next program, we’ll meet a Canadian guest, Winnipeg-based singer, songwriter and performer Alan Curtis! Alan’s CD was drawn from the “Homegrown Rocker” drop box during last month’s Millennium Music Conference in Harrisburg, and he won a guest appearance and interview on this week’s show. We’ll get acquainted with Alan through an interview recorded during the conference in the lobby of the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center in Camp Hill. We’ll hear songs from Alan’s debut solo album, More Than I Can Be, and you’ll have chances to call in to win your own copy! We’ll also update “Local Music News,” dig into the archive for another “Local Music Flashback,” and review Half Angel’s Through the Fire CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner!” Winnipeg, Canada’s Alan Curtis in the spotlight on the “Homegrown Rocker,” next Sunday night!

Forthcoming guests and specials include:

MARCH 20 – JEFF WALLACK MEMORIAL SHOW PREVIEW
MARCH 27 – STERLING KOCH
APRIL 3 – MATT OTIS
APRIL 10 – EAST COAST TURNAROUND
APRIL 24 – E.V.K.
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…

The date has been announced for the 7th annual Jeff Wallack Memorial Jam. This year’s event will take place on Saturday night, April 2, at 30 Something in Altoona. The show will feature a variety of area musicians performing and celebrating the life and times of Jeff, a popular Altoona area guitarist who passed away six years ago. Among the performances will be a reunion of early ‘90s Altoona rockers Shattered China. Advance tickets are $5 and are available at 30 Something and Music Emporium in Altoona; proceeds from the event will benefit the Jeff Wallack Music Education Fund. Several representatives from this year’s Jeff Wallack Memorial Jam will discuss the event on the March 20 edition of the “Homegrown Rocker.”

For the second consecutive year, the City Hotel in Northern Cambria will present “Battle of the Acoustics” over five Thursdays, running from April 7 through May 5. The first four Thursdays will be preliminary rounds, with the winners of those rounds competing in the finals on May 5.

State College party rockers Mia Mania have a new member, as Matt Rosemeier joins to share singing and bass-playing duties with Jason Dumm. Matt replaces Brian Storm, who recently left the group to devote more time to family and play occasionally with the reunited original line-up of G211.

A new acoustic trio has started their journey on area stages. Bring The Rain features Craig Fitzpatrick on acoustic guitar and bass, Ryan Gallagher on acoustic guitar, and Ed Hofer on cajon and djembe; all three members sing. The group is playing at various Cambria County venues.