HOMEGROWN ROCKER 5/4/25 (MSJR/DEREK WOODS)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the May 4 edition of “The Homegrown Rocker,” which airs every Sunday night from 8 to 10 PM on Q94 Classic Rock (www.q94classicrock.com), and from 10 PM to midnight on 107.1 and 101.3 Jack FM (www.1071jack.fm)!

This week, we spoke via phone with our musical guests – Jonathan Vanaskie, the founder and frontman for western PA-based reggae fusion performers MSJR, along with his songwriting collaborator Derek Woods! We learned about MSJR and its mission – the group is named after Jonathan’s high school friend, Michael Spade Jr., who passed away by suicide; the group’s name MSJR honors Michael’s memory, and Jonathan’s mission is to raise awareness about suicide prevention and mental health care – including raising funds for multiple charities including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, SpeakUp ReachOut foundation, Veterans Bushido in Greensburg, The Brandon Nash Scholarship and local VFWs. Jonathan and Derek also discussed the group’s music, live show, creative process and more; plus we heard songs from both MSJR and the Derek Woods Band! Along the way, we debuted new songs from Jim Donovan & the Sun King Warriors, Elephants Dancing and Kitchen Teeth; updated “Local Music News,” dug out a 1997 song from State College’s Original Soul Project for this week’s “Local Music Flashback,” and even stepped “Across State Lines” to feature music from Rhode Island psychobilly performers Sasquatch & the Sick-A-Billys, who will perform at McGarvey’s in Altoona on Wednesday, May 7! (For those who missed the program, a four-part podcast of this show is available for listening or download from Q94’s website, www.q94classicrock.com. Click on “The Professor’s Classroom,” and then scroll down to “Homegrown Rocker Podcast” and look for the four show segments marked with the date, 050425.)

Here is this week’s playlist:

HOUR ONE:

BUFFALO ROSE – “Solid Ground”

ALYSSA HANKEY – “Wild One”

MSJR featuring DEREK WOODS – “Burnin'”

FELIX & THE HURRICANES – “Issues”

MSJR – “Spread the Love”

THE PENNSOULVANIANS – “Bounce Back”

DEREK WOODS BAND – “The Light”

JIM DONOVAN & THE SUN KING WARRIORS – “Feeding On You All Day” (new)

THE PLATELETS – “Gasoline”

HOUR TWO:

HABATAT – “Light 2 Funk”

ELEPHANTS DANCING – “Tiki Time” (new)

MSJR – “I Am Here”

JEFF WEBB & THE DELECTABLE SOUND – “In A World Of…”

THE DEREK WOODS BAND – “Thank You for Being Here”

ORIGINAL SOUL PROJECT – “More Than I Am” (1997, Local Music Flashback)

SASQUATCH & THE SICK-A-BILLYS – “High and Lonesome” (Across State Lines)

THE JADED LIPS – “Testify”

KITCHEN TEETH – “Day After Day”

SWEET DESIRE – “Hummingbird” (live)

Because we have been so busy with guests and specials lately, we haven’t visited the show’s mailboxes for a while, so we will remedy that situation on our next program! We will explore new local and regional recordings that have arrived in recent weeks, meaning we will debut a whole lot of new music from the area music scene! We’ll also update “Local Music News,” dig a “Local Music Flashback” from the archive and review a new local or regional CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner!” Hear the “Homegrown Rocker” this Sunday night (May 11) on Q94 Classic Rock – 94.3 FM and online at www.q94classicrock.com, and on 107.1 and 101.3 Jack FM, online at www.1071jack.fm!

MAY 18 – James Grove (Acoustic Altoona)

MAY 25 – Memorial Day Special

JUNE 15 – Father’s Day Special

JUNE 22 – Allison Borek

AUG. 10 – Billy Davis

DEC. 14 – Dr. Barry Atticks (Lilla Jul Rockeband)

(All dates are subject to changes as circumstances warrant.)

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

Bands and artists interested in having music aired on the show are invited to send their broadcast-quality recordings to: The Homegrown Rocker, 2513 6th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 (ATTN: Jim Price). You can also email digital song files or inquiries about the show to homegrownrocker@gmail.com; and submit digital song files through the link on “The Professor’s Classroom” page. And bands and musicians interested in being guests on the program can email their interest to homegrownrocker@gmail.com as well!

Jim Price

In Local Music News…

Some good news and bad news from the Pittsburgh music scene…

First the good news…After its closure last year, a popular Pittsburgh live music venue has been given new life. The Club Café will be reopening this summer, after being purchased by local entertainment management firm Keystone Artist Connect. The new owners plan to again present national touring acts and local performers, along with hosting open mic nights, karaoke, short film nights, brunches and other activities.

The bad news…The Smiling Moose live music venue in Pittsburgh announced this past week that they will be closing their original location in the city’s south side after May. According to the announcement posted on their Facebook page, the owners plan to focus on building business at their Cranberry Township restaurant and at their Grove City Brewery location.

And we report sad news from the area music scene with the recent passing of Wayne Kensinger. Wayne passed away on April 11 at age 65. Wayne played several instruments and had been involved in several bands over the years; he played steel guitar, bass and fiddle with area gospel group the Vicksburg Quartet, and had also been a member of the group Wine & Roses.