HOMEGROWN ROCKER 5/11/14 (PAINTED BY MILLIONS)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the May 11 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). The show can also be streamed via either Rocky website, www.rocky1049.com or www.rocky99.com.

Thanks to this week’s guests, Johnny Bayush and Shawn Willard of Johnstown-based indie rockers Painted By Millions (http://paintedbymillions.weebly.com/, for their conversation and music! We learned about the band and their story, heard tracks from their latest EP, and discussed Johnny’s recent trip to Africa and more! And since it was Mother’s Day, we threw in a salute to Johnny’s musical mom, Rachel Allen, with a pair of songs from her 2006 Always There CD! Along the way, we debuted new songs from Johnny Searfoss, the Jive Turkeys and Cats in Congress, updated “Local Music News,” dug a 1988 song by The Imposters from the archive for this week’s “Local Music Flashback,” stepped “Across State Lines” to check out a song by Brooklyn-based indie folk singer/songwriter Linda Draper, and we reviewed the Sessions: Essential Songs of Philadelphia CD by former Hooters drummer David Uosikkinen’s In The Pocket project in “The Professor’s CD Corner!”

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

THE SITCH – “Hill Billy Psycho”
WE CAME FROM SPACE – “The Grand Pantaloon”
PAINTED BY MILLIONS – “Kite”
JOHNNY SEARFOSS – “Blindsided Blues”
PAINTED BY MILLIONS – “Come Along”
JIVE TURKEYS (with FELIX KOS) – “Trudy”
PAINTED BY MILLIONS – “You Don’t Say”
BLACK RIDGE – “Chocolate Hair”

HOUR TWO:

RACHEL ALLEN – “Almost There/Good Shepherd”
PAINTED BY MILLIONS – “The Moment Belongs to You”
DAVID UOSIKKINEN AND IN THE POCKET – “Open Your Eyes”
PAINTED BY MILLIONS – “How Far”
THE IMPOSTERS – “Open Up Your Heart” (1988, Local Music Flashback)
LINDA DRAPER – “Shadow of a Coal Mine” (Across State Lines)
CHRIS VIPOND AND THE STANLEY STREET BAND – “Pink Parking Ticket”
CATS IN CONGRESS – “Radioactive Love”

On our next program, we’ll explore the special benefit and awareness musical project Progmium! The brainchild of multiple sclerosis warrior Tim Surkovich, Progmium’s debut album, Project Diagnosis, documents Tim’s challenging journey as he is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and has to come to grips with this debilitating condition, its treatments and side effects. We’ll learn Tim’s story and hear music from the album, plus hear insight on the disc’s creation by the members of Progmium as well! Along the way, we will update “Local Music News,” dig into the archive for a “Local Music Flashback,” and review Ghost Of War’s Only Death Is Real CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner!”

Upcoming guests and specials include:

MAY 25 – MEMORIAL DAY SPECIAL
JUNE 1 – MODERN COLOUR
JUNE 15 – FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL
JUNE 22 – COVER SONG SPECIAL
AUG. 3 – LOCAL MUSICIANS THEN AND NOW SPECIAL

Bands and artists wanting to submit news items for “Local Music News” may email their news to homegrownrocker@gmail.com (new email address). Indicate “MUSIC NEWS” in the subject heading!

The “Homegrown Rocker” is available for digital download off either Rocky website after each and every show. Just check on either (www.rocky1049.com) or (www.rocky99.com) and download your copy of the show! If you live beyond the signal range of Rocky 104.9 and Rocky 99, you can now download west-central PA’s longest-running local music show!

Also, bands and artists are welcome to add their upcoming shows to the “Homegrown Rocker” event calendar! Go to the “Homegrown Rocker” section of either Rocky website and click on “Events,” and add your shows for free!

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 outdoor live music season continues to heat up next weekend with the 47th annual Blair County Arts Festival, which happens next Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18 at Penn State Altoona. Various arts, crafts, children’s activities and a food court will be offered, as well as a continuous slate of live music throughout the weekend. Saturday’s performers include Pat McGinnis & Jason McIntyre, Born & the Beanstalk, Pure Cane Sugar, Miss Melanie and the Valley Rats and Your Dad’s Friends. Sunday’s entertainment includes Jay Smar, Project Blues Book, the Allegheny Bilge Rats Shanty Choir, Rick Hirsch & Pandora’s Bop and Mama Corn. The Festival begins at 12 noon both days, and admission is free. A small donation is asked for parking, which helps support the festival and the Blair County Arts Foundation.

A special Memorial Day weekend event in Huntingdon will benefit a local veterans association. The “Bash for Our Brothers” will take place on Sunday afternoon, May 25, at the Huntingdon Armory, with proceeds benefiting Camp Liberty Veterans Association and the preservation of the historical Armory building. The concert will begin at 3:30 p.m., and feature performances from Pennsylvania Mike & the Bedlam Boys, Strait & Miller, The Whatleys, Danny Kay and Locked and Loaded. Tickets are $10 per person, and $5 for veterans and active servicemen presenting proof of service. Advanced tickets can be purchased at Orbisonia Hardware in Orbisonia, Johnny’s Bar in Huntingdon, Hickory Beverage in Alexandria, and the Brew Zoo in Altoona.

(Bands and musicians with local music-related news to report on the “Homegrown Rocker” may submit their news items by emailing homegrownrocker@gmail.com.)