HOMEGROWN ROCKER 3/13/11 (ALAN CURTIS/MMC WINNER)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the March 13 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).

During last month’s 15th annual Millennium Music Conference (www.musicconference.net), the “Homegrown Rocker” invited showcasing bands and artists to submit their CD’s to the show’s dropbox at the conference trade show. At the end of the daytime conference, one of the submitted recordings was drawn, and that performer won an interview and guest appearance on this week’s show. The lucky CD drawn belonged to Winnipeg, Manitoba-based singer, songwriter and performer Alan Curtis (www.facebook.com/alancurtismusic). During an interview recorded after the conference in the lobby of the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center in Camp Hill, Alan enlightened us on his music and career to date, which includes an ongoing stint as frontman of a western Canada-based AC/DC tribute band called Whole Lotta Angus! We heard various songs from Alan’s More Than I Can Be CD, and four lucky listeners called in to win a copy! Along the way, we debuted new songs from Tukurpa, The Primer Greys, The Whiskey River Panhandlers and 1 Echo 1. We also updated “Local Music News,” dug a 1998 song by Johnstown’s Further Gone from the archive for a “Local Music Flashback,” and we reviewed Half Angel’s Through The Fire CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner.”

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

THE GRANATI BROTHERS – “The Sun in Your Eyes”
FELIX & THE HURRICANES – “Walking a Straight Line”
ALAN CURTIS – “I Don’t Mind”
TUKURPA – “”Wanna Play”
ALAN CURTIS – “Ten in Heaven”
THE PRIMER GREYS – “Jake Speede”
ALAN CURTIS – “I Wanted to Write You a Love Song”
JACKSON MONSOUR – “Replacin Pain”
THE WHISKEY RIVER PANHANDLERS – “18 Wheeler”

HOUR TWO:

KILMAINE SAINTS – “Amazing Grace/The Saints Are Up!”
DICK AND THE DEER GUTTERS – “Drink or Be Drunk”
ALAN CURTIS – “Dance for Me”
HALF ANGEL – “Only Time Will Tell”
ALAN CURTIS – “Never Say Never”
FURTHER GONE – “Mental Thought” (1998, Local Music Flashback)
ALAN CURTIS – “Greed (Money, Money, Money)”
CONNER GILBERT – “Here’s to the Days”
1 ECHO 1 – “Marlboro Light 100 Queen”

On our next program, we’ll preview the upcoming 7th annual Jeff Wallack Memorial Jam, celebrating the life, memories and music of one of Altoona’s most cherished guitar players, who unexpectedly passed away six years ago. We’ll be joined by three of the event organizers, who will discuss the details of the show. We’ll hear music featuring Jeff, as well as tunes from some of the various participants in this year’s show. We’ll also update “Local Music News,” and review another new local CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner!” We preview the Jeff Wallack Memorial Jam on the “Homegrown Rocker,” next Sunday night!

Upcoming guests and specials include:

MARCH 27 – STERLING KOCH
APRIL 3 – MATT OTIS
APRIL 10 – EAST COAST TURNAROUND
APRIL 24 – E.V.K.
MAY 1 – DAY OF ROCK PREVIEW
MAY 15 – CITY HOTEL “BATTLE OF THE ACOUSTICS” WINNER
MAY 22 – GYPSY CARAVAN
MAY 29 – 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…

V.O.M.A., the Venue Of Merging Arts in Johnstown, has announced the line-ups for the first four preliminary rounds of its upcoming “Battle of the Bands” event, where area bands will compete to win studio time at the venue’s recording studio facility and other prizes. The kickoff preliminary round next Sunday, March 20, will feature the bands Dark Krome, Hot Mess and One Track Mynd. The March 27 battle will feature Parlormaid, Bloodshot and The Southside Strays. Spiff Jimmy & the Freeze Line, Soul Muffins and Savannah Dawn will compete in the third battle on April 3, and The final preliminary round on April 10 will feature A Faster Ride, Bitter Authority and Allegory. The winners from each preliminary round, as determined by a panel of rotating judges, will compete in the final round on April 17.

For fans of modern bluegrass and Americana music, the 5th annual Double Barrel Bluegrass Shindig will take place on Saturday, May 7, at the Oriental Ballroom in Gallitzin, with partial proceeds helping out the Lupus Foundation. Mama Corn and The Hillbilly Gypsies will perform. Tickets are $15 each, and can be purchased in advance at the Oriental Ballroom and Music Emporium in Altoona.

And the date for the final “Michael 2-Fists” Tribute Show has been announced. The annual event, held in memory of Michael Hicks, will take place at Aldo’s in Juniata on Saturday night, April 9. The show will feature performances from the bands Forever Means Goodbye, Leave No Witness, The Primer Greys and Xs For Eyes. Donation at the door is $5.