HOMEGROWN ROCKER 7/17/11 (MONSTER TRACK SUPERGROUP)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the July 17 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).

It’s always an interesting and entertaining two hours when “Uncle Jeff” pays us a visit! Thanks to our guest, Jeff Pittinger of Monster Track Supergroup (www.monstertracksupergroup.com) and White Witch (www.whitewitchrocks.com), for sharing his insight on both band projects, and updating us on the latest developments with both. We played all four songs from Monster Track Supergroup’s debut EP, plus two White Witch tracks. Along the way, we debuted new songs from The Good Seeds and Pure Cane Sugar. We dug a 1999 song by Sideshow Bob from the archive for a “Local Music Flashback,” and reviewed Ted McCloskey’s Almost Sentimental CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner.”

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

HYBRID ICE – “Bring the Gold”
CLINT CAROTHERS & FRIENDS – “Marseilles”
MONSTER TRACK SUPERGROUP – “Wild World”
THE GOOD SEEDS – “Cancer”
MONSTER TRACK SUPERGROUP – “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”
44MAG – “50 Miles”
MONSTER TRACK SUPERGROUP – “Hot Child in the City”
PURE CANE SUGAR – “Designated Driver”

HOUR TWO:

LIES, INC. – “Blink of an Eye”
RAPID FIRE – “Unbreakable”
MONSTER TRACK SUPERGROUP – “Drift Away”
TED McCLOSKEY – “Mortar and Bricks”
WHITE WITCH – “Game That I Play”
SIDESHOW BOB – “Falling In All Over Yourself” (1999, Local Music Flashback)
WHITE WITCH – “Singleman”

On our next show, we’ll preview an upcoming area show to remember former area drummer Steve McCulley, who passed unexpectedly last year. We’ll be joined by some of Steve’s former bandmates, and representatives of the Steve McCulley Memorial Show, which happens July 29 at Aldo’s in Altoona. Our guests will discuss the show and share some of their favorite Steve memories. We’ll also update “Local Music News,” raid the local music archive for another “Local Music Flashback,” and review The Good Seeds’ Buy Me a Kite CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner.” A preview of the Steve McCulley Memorial Show on the “Homegrown Rocker,” next Sunday night!

Upcoming guests and specials include:

JULY 31 – GYPSY CARAVAN
AUG. 7 – COVER SONG SPECIAL
AUG. 14 – RAPID FIRE
AUG. 21 – AREA AMERICANA SPECIAL
AUG. 28 – HIGHER FIVES
SEPT. 4 – GUITAR HEROES OF AREA MUSIC SPECIAL
SEPT. 11 – CANDLELIGHT RED
SEPT. 18 – RON GALLUCCI
SEPT. 25 – (NO SHOW DUE TO STEELERS SUNDAY NIGHT GAME)
OCT. 2 – ACOUSTIC JAM SPECIAL
OCT. 9 – MYSTERYTRAIN
OCT. 16 – LIES, INC.
OCT. 30 – HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
NOV. 6 – (NO SHOW DUE TO STEELERS SUNDAY NIGHT GAME)
NOV. 27 – (NO SHOW DUE TO STEELERS SUNDAY NIGHT GAME)

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…

Live music will again be a part of the 18th annual African American Heritage Festival, which takes place next Saturday, July 23, from noon to 8 p.m. at Penn State Altoona. Featured performers at this year’s Festival include gospel artists Pastor Andrew Best and Restored from Laurel, Maryland; R&B artist Docta "E" from Columbus, Ohio; and Pittsburgh’s Ibeji Drum Ensemble, playing traditional African music. Traditional foods and refreshments will be available. Admission to the festival is free.

Also next weekend is the 17th annual Pittsburgh Blues Festival, happening next Friday night through Sunday, July 22-24, at Hartwood Acres north of Pittsburgh. Headlining performers at this year’s Festival include Janiva Magness on Friday, The Tedeschi Trucks Band on Saturday, and Johnny Winter, Tommy Castro and Savoy Brown on Sunday. Also performing during the weekend are Kelly Richey, the Lionel Young Band, Jill West and Blues Attack, the 2011 Girls With Guitars Tour and more. Admission is free on Friday with the donation of a bag of non-perishable food items for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. For tickets and other information, visit the website www.pghblues.com.

Several well-known music scene names have formed a new band. Hot Damn features former Bluesmoon singer Trace Baker, former Tie Down guitarist Brett O’Donnell, Kevin Carns on drums and Pete Symosky on bass. Hot Damn will perform a mixture of rock, blues and female-fronted hits, and will debut on area stages soon.