HOMEGROWN ROCKER 7/31/11 (GYPSY CARAVAN)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the July 31 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).

Thanks to our guests this week, Harrisburg’s Gypsy Caravan (https://www.facebook.com/GypsyCaravanRocks), for making the roadtrip to be a part of the program. (Thanks too to Dave Moses and his F.U.P. Studios for hosting the interview portion of this week’s show.) We met the members of Gypsy Caravan and learned the group’s story, and heard songs from their self-titled debut EP. Gypsy Caravan also provided some newer electric-geared songs to show a different angle to their sound. Along the way, we debuted a new song from Sheldon Port, updated “Local Music News,” dug a 1997 song by Pittsburgh's Ike McCoy Band from the archive for a "Local Music Flashback," and reviewed Atlas Soundtrack’s The Garden CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner.”

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

THE CLARKS – “Trampoline”
THE SUNFLOWER SPECTACLE – “Jetplane”
GYPSY CARAVAN – “Move On”
SHELDON PORT – “Broken Down”
GYPSY CARAVAN – “Roll High”
BLACK COFFEE – “Bottom of the Barrel” (performed live 6/5/11 at Altar Bar, Pittsburgh)
GYPSY CARAVAN – “Making It Real”

HOUR TWO:

CANDLELIGHT RED – “Closer”
GYPSY CARAVAN – “Road Worn and Weary”
ATLAS SOUNDTRACK – “The Calling”
GYPSY CARAVAN – “Wish You Well”
IKE McCOY BAND – “One of a Soul” (1997, Local Music Flashback)
GYPSY CARAVAN – “Take It On”

Our next program will be the return of the “Cover Song Special!” We will hear area musicians’ interpretations of songs by other people. Hear area bands cover tunes by the Beatles, Derek Trucks Band, Allman Brothers, Nick Gilder, Michael Jackson, Gary Moore and many more! Hear local and regional bands’ and artists’ remakes on the “Cover Song Special” edition of the “Homegrown Rocker,” this Sunday night at 8 PM!

Forthcoming guests and specials include:

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. 13 – CHUCK MASON & BLUE REALITY
NOV. 20 – JUSTIN HALE
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, the online 'zine publication "The Final Cut," 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…

Recent “Homegrown Rocker” guests East Coast Turnaround achieved a milestone this week, as they are featured on the cover of this week’s edition of Cashbox Magazine, and their song “Where’s My Sunshine” is currently Number 7 on Cashbox’s country chart.

Also making waves on the charts is Zupe & Nichols, whose instrumental track “Rib Joint” has held the Number One position on Broadjam.com’s Chicago Blues chart for five consecutive weeks.

Ganister has found a new guitarist to replace Eric Smith, who left the band recently to devote more time to his family. Adam Becker joins Rob Sottile on guitars for the group, returning them to a quintet. Adam makes his official debut with Ganister this Wednesday night at the upstairs 4D’s Lounge in Altoona.

As first announced last week on the show, Mindspine is presenting their first ever Spinestock benefit concert for the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps out injured servicemen and women. Spinestock will take place on Sunday, August 14, from noon to 8 p.m. at Centre Hall Mountain. Performing will be Mindspine, NailDriver, Superbob, Absolution, Rebel Inc., Darkness Descends and Empire. There will be a donation at the gate, with kids 10 and under admitted free.

More bands have been announced for the Kids Come First Benefit; the 20th End Of Summer Jam, which takes place on Saturday, August 20 at the Cresson Sportsmen’s Club. Bands confirmed to perform that day now include E.V.K., Ambush, NailDriver, Never Enough, Cottonmouth, Sunset Strip and Lies, Inc. The Curbside Prophets and Lonewolf also will perform. Proceeds from the concert will benefit Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The show will run from 1 to 10 p.m.

And the third annual AmeriServ Flood City Music Fest will take place next Friday through Sunday at Festival Park near downtown Johnstown. Performers at this year’s Festival include Gregg Allman, Tab Benoit, Terrence Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun, The Bridge, J.J. Greg & Mofro, Bettye LaVette, Project/Object featuring Ike Willis and more. Local performers this year include Black Coffee, the Southside Strays and Jeff Perigo & Friends. For the complete performer listing, schedules, tickets and other information, visit the Johnstown Area Heritage Association website, www.jaha.org.)