[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the April 4 edition of Rocky 99 and Rocky 104.9's weekly local music program, "The Homegrown Rocker," which airs every Sunday night from 8 to 10 PM on WRKW-FM (www.rocky99.com) and WRKY-FM (www.rocky1049.com).

Sometimes, when stores, restaurants or other businesses first open, they wait a few weeks before holding their official “Grand Opening.” In essence, that’s what happened on the latest edition of the “Homegrown Rocker.” A few weeks after the show debuted on the airwaves of Rocky 99, we presented the “All Johnstown Radio” Special, our Rocky 99 “grand opening,” spotlighting two hours’ worth of bands and artists originating from or having ties to the Johnstown and Rocky 99 listening area! Along the way, we debuted new songs from Nichols & Pavic and Dubmissive, and reviewed Top Dead Center’s 40 Down CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner.” We also updated Local Music News, and dug a 1996 song by Johnstown’s Badwrench from the archive for a “Local Music Flashback!”

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

DAVE DISTEFANO w/GRINNING MOB – “Light the Fire, Get Down”
JOHN CHARNEY – “Sojourn”
NICHOLS & PAVIC – “Ding Dong”
ZUPE & NICHOLS – “A Dash of Dementia”
JACKIE KOPCO – “Better Day”
RICK COSGROVE – “Queen of the Park”
MICHAEL REICH – “Wireless”
DIRTY DOGZ – “I’ll Do Anything”
JENNY DRUMMEY AND THE SMALL BAND – “No Man’s Land”

HOUR TWO:

INSIDE OUT – “Sacrifice”
SHADES OF JUNE – “Be Anything”
DUBMISSIVE – “Lost In Translation”
TOP DEAD CENTER – “Workers’ Creed”
ENDLESS MIKE AND THE BEAGLE CLUB – “The Only Boss I Listen to Is Springsteen”
BADWRENCH – “Checkmate…You’re It” (1996, Local Music Flashback)
LITTLE BUDDY – “Dig Dig Dig (My Wife’s Digging My Grave)”
FRANKIE AND THE NOMADS – “Fool for Your Love”
PIVOT – “Redefine”
THE EMBALMED – “Heaven Below”

On our next program, we’ll welcome a guest, Altoona area singer/songwriter Rich Edmundson. Performing under the stage name “Allheart,” Rich does some interesting and innovative things on the acoustic guitar. We’ll discuss Rich and his various performing talents, plus hear original songs from him. Rich will also bring guitar and improvise some songs freestyle on the air! We’ll also update “Local Music News,” dig into the archive for another “Local Music Flashback,” and review a new local CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner!” Rich “Allheart” Edmundson visits the “Homegrown Rocker,” this Sunday night at 8 PM!

Forthcoming guests and specials include:

APR. 18 – WAYSTED SYLENCE
APR. 25 – THE ELDER STATESMEN OF LOCAL MUSIC SPECIAL
MAY 2 – THE SUNFLOWER SPECTACLE
MAY 9 – NITEKAST
MAY 30 – MEMORIAL DAY SPECIAL
JUNE 13 – “DAY OF ROCK” BENEFIT PREVIEW
JUNE 20 – FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL

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…

Felix & the Hurricanes, Half Tempted, The Hawks and The House Band will donate their talents toward a benefit concert at the end of this month to help an area child with eye problems. The “Eye Rock for Leah” benefit will take place on Friday night, April 30 at 30 Something in Altoona, and proceeds will help out with medical expenses for Leah Shambaugh, who has had multiple surgeries to correct an eye problem she has had since birth. More details about this benefit will be announced in coming weeks.

A member of Harrisburg area cyber-metal rockers Spinebelt is battling cancer. Drummer John K has undergone surgeries and treatments since last December after an initial tumor was discovered above his right ear. Anybody wishing to express get well wishes to John may do so through Spinebelt’s Myspace page, www.myspace.com/spinebelt.

Spirit Lost has found their new singer. Tyler Hull, who has sat in with the group several times in the past, has been selected to take over lead microphone duties, while former lead singer Austin Tepsic moves over to play guitar alongside Brian Smith in the group. Tyler’s first shows with the group will be April 16 and 17.

Members of several bands have started a new band project that will debut on area stages soon. Sex Drive features former BluesMoon singer Trace Baker, Bedlam bassist Tim Kelly, guitarist Greg Larrimore and drummer Phil Harpster. The group’s first performance will be during Memorial Day weekend next month at a Hastings venue.

State College’s Royal Benson is set to release their debut CD. The album, called (Long)Drive, will be issued later this month. The official CD release event will take place April 24 at Bar Bleu in State College. Royal Benson has put two songs from the CD on their Myspace and Facebook pages for visitors to preview.

Altoona’s The Hope Fallacy has completed recording three new songs, and will issue their official debut EP early next month.
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