HOMEGROWN ROCKER 8/14/11 (RAPID FIRE)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the August 14 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).

This week’s guests were area power trio Rapid Fire (http://www.myspace.com/rfrockspa), along with their soundman, Gary Leighty. We got acquainted with the band members and learned their story, plus heard recently recorded songs by them, as well as Gary’s instrumental studio project The Delve. With Rapid Fire drummer Bud Beals and bassist Aaron Gindlesperger both in the house, we used the opportunity to flash back to their previous band projects, Bleech and Dollarz-n-Sense, for a double dose “Local Music Flashback!” Along the way, we debuted new songs from Ron Gallucci, Leadfoot, The Delve, Jen Bertiaux and Chuck Mason & Blue Reality; and updated “Local Music News.” Due to last-minute technical difficulties, there was no “Professor’s CD Corner” review this week; the scheduled CD review of Rigel’s Xenophobia will air at a later date.

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

RON GALLUCCI – “Have We Just Begun”
LIES, INC. – “Don’t Blink”
RAPID FIRE – “Unbreakable”
LEADFOOT – “Hell”
RAPID FIRE – “Black Widow Kiss”
THE DELVE – “For Him”
RAPID FIRE – “Heart Tells You So”
JEN BERTIAUX – “Controversy”

HOUR TWO:

CHRIS VIPOND & THE STANLEY STREET BAND – “Tupelo Tree”
CHUCK MASON & BLUE REALITY – “Can You Tell Me”
RAPID FIRE – “Traveler”
RIGEL – “Pins and Needles”
RAPID FIRE – “5 Steps”
BLEECH – “Across the Tracks” (2002, Local Music Flashback)
DOLLARZ-N-SENSE – “Unsung Hero”
MINDSPINE – “Move”

On our next show, we will examine the Americana movement in the local and regional music scene. We’ll check out music from the bands and artists who specialize in alt-country, country rock, bluegrass, folk, blues and other roots-based sounds on area stages! Area Americana music is in the spotlight on the “Homegrown Rocker,” next Sunday night!

Upcoming guests and specials include:

AUG. 28 – HIGHER FIVES
SEPT. 4 – RON GALLUCCI
SEPT. 11 – CANDLELIGHT RED
SEPT. 18 – JIMMY ADLER
SEPT. 25 – (NO SHOW DUE TO STEELERS SUNDAY NIGHT GAME)
OCT. 2 – MISS MELANIE AND THE VALLEY RATS
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)
DEC. 25 – CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
JAN. 1 – 2011 YEAR IN REVIEW SPECIAL PT. 1
JAN. 8 – 2011 YEAR IN REVIEW SPECIAL PT. 2

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 area music scene family has been saddened with the loss of three members in recent days. Jody Sinclair, who played in a number of Centre County based bands over the past two decades, passed away on August 1 after an extended illness at age 39. Jody was a member of such bands as E.S. Whitefisch, Blackseed, and other projects. A special memorial benefit for Jody’s surviving family happened this past Friday night at The Brewery in State College, and featured performances from It Is Written, Wentletrap and Chaos Method. Another benefit is being organized for November.

Roy Hanna, Jr. passed away last Saturday, August 6 at age 60. Roy was half of Altoona-based country duo Bill Ross Jr. & Crazy Roy, who entertained area audiences for a number of years. Bill and Roy issued several singles and a 2002 CD called Just 4 Fun. And original Forces drummer Allen Estep passed away on Thursday at age 57. He powered Forces’ hard rock through the late ‘70s.

Recent “Homegrown Rocker” guest Sterling Koch has officially signed a recording contract with High Tone Music Group of Chicago. High Tone will rerelease Sterling's latest album Slide Ruler worldwide on Sept. 13. Sterling will continue to tour both as a solo artist and with his band through the end of this year and next year before beginning work on a new CD in 2013.

There have been some lineup changes for the Kids Come First Benefit; the 20th End Of Summer Jam, which takes place next Saturday, August 20 at the Cresson Sportsmen’s Club. Aunt Lisa’s Bone will replace Cottonmouth on the bill, and Never Enough has withdrawn from the show. The bands E.V.K., Ambush, NailDriver, Aunt Lisa’s Bone, Sunset Strip and Lies, Inc. will perform, with The Curbside Prophets and Lonewolf entertaining between bands. Proceeds from the concert will benefit Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The show will run from 1 to 10 p.m.

The “Homegrown Rocker” sends speedy get well wishes to area musician and broadcaster Craig Boore, who is currently recuperating from a stroke.