[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the March 22 edition of Rocky 104.9's weekly local music program, "The Homegrown Rocker," which airs every Sunday night from 8 to 10 PM on WRKY-FM (www.rocky1049.com).

Thanks to our guests this week, Andy Hicks and Shaun Barr of Altoona-based hardcore rockers Drain The Sorrow (www.myspace.com/drainthesorrow), for a hard-rocking and informative two hours! We explored Drain The Sorrow and their story to date, and also got inside the local hardcore scene, revealing insight about the solidarity of the scene, and the Altoona scene’s current need for a new facility to stage all-ages shows. (Anybody with information about a possible available venue is encouraged to contact Drain The Sorrow through their Myspace website above, or email drainthesorrow@yahoo.com.) We also heard tracks from Drain The Sorrow’s debut CD, 2009, 5 Song EP. (Thanks to Matt Winrick of Heartless Mockery Records for providing us with the radio-compatible copy!) We also debuted new tracks from Liquid Violence, False Icons and Second Best; we updated Local Music News; and we reviewed The Embalmed’s self-titled CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner.” Again, another busy week!

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

THE GRIMM – “Dead Time”
PIVOT – “River Entrance”
DRAIN THE SORROW – “Fifty Two”
LIQUID VIOLENCE – “On The Road”
DRAIN THE SORROW – “Parking Lot Hero”
SKELL – “Don’t Speak”
DRAIN THE SORROW – “You Will Fall”

HOUR TWO:

THE CLOVER – “One Part Whiskey”
WAY DOWN EAST – “Freezer Champ”
DRAIN THE SORROW – “NSC Anthem”
THE EMBALMED – “Toetags and Bodybags”
DRAIN THE SORROW – “Sweet Home Pennsylvania”
FALSE ICONS – “Decay”
SECOND BEST – “Wake Up, Stand Up”
SATANIC BAT – “Southern Rock Plantation”
FELIX & THE HURRICANES – “Keep On Rockin’”

This Sunday night, we will be joined in the studio by members of Half Tempted and other bands involved with two upcoming local benefit shows; the annual Jeff Wallack Tribute Show on April 4 at Aldo’s, and the all-ages Jeff Conrad Tribute/American Cancer Society benefit concert April 11 at Altoona’s Eldolyn Terrace. We’ll learn about both benefits, and feature music from several of the bands and musicians involved in each. We'll also update Local Music News, rummage the local music archive for a Local Music Flashback, plus review another local CD in "The Professor's CD Corner." Half Tempted and friends on the “Homegrown Rocker,” this Sunday night!

Forthcoming guests and specials include:

APR. 5 – THE HUMAN MACHINE
APR. 12 – CHRIS VIPOND & THE STANLEY STREET BAND
APR. 19 – STEAM CITY RIDERS
APR. 26 – ZELAZOWA
MAY 17 – SLACKER THEORY
MAY 24 – MEMORIAL DAY SPECIAL (PAST AREA BANDS/ARTISTS)
JUNE 28 – SPIRIT LOST

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…

Local blues-rocking favorites Felix & the Hurricanes won their preliminary round of the annual Pittsburgh Blues Challenge on Sunday night at D’Vine Wine Bar and Lounge in Wexford, north of Pittsburgh. The Hurricanes will now move on to the next round. If they win the Pittsburgh Blues Challenge, the group will get to represent western Pennsylvania in the International Blues Challenge next January in Memphis.

Spring has arrived, and that means that Crazy Fest is not far behind. The nonprofit 19th annual Crazy Fest Amateur Youth Talent Show will take place at 1 PM on Sunday afternoon, April 26, at Altoona’s Greenwood Firehall. Crazy Fest provides an opportunity for young entertainers ages 21 and under to expose their talents on stage in front of a friendly and supportive audience, and compete for trophies, plaques and awards in a multitude of age groups and categories. Admission for the general public is $2; proceeds from door monies fund the trophies and awards handed out, while food sale proceeds benefit the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company. Youngsters interested in participating may obtain an application by calling Dennie Huber at 942-2516.

And an all-ages benefit show for the American Cancer Society is taking place on April 11 at Altoona’s Eldolyn Terrace. The show, being staged in tribute to recently-departed cancer victim Jeff Conrad, will begin at 6 PM, and feature performances from Acalasia, Nick Finochio, Clan MacGregor and Half Tempted. Donation is $5 at the door.
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