[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the May 30 edition of Q94's weekly local music program, "The Backyard Rocker," which airs every Sunday night from 8 to 10 PM on WBRX 94.3 and WBXQ 94.7.

This week, we gave the current crop of area bands and musicians the week off, and in Memorial Day weekend tradition, brushed the dust off the vinyl and tapes to celebrate local music memories on our annual “Backyard Rocker” Memorial Day Special. For the first two hours of the program, we featured music from past bands and artists who had their 15 minutes of glory and fame on local and regional stages. During the third hour, we commemorated area musicians we have lost over the years, celebrating their memories by hearing the music they left us with. Hopefully we stirred up some local musical memories for you!

The playlist (including the year each song is from; and during the third hour, the name of the musician being remembered):

HOUR ONE:

SLAMMER – “Hell’s Night” (1985)
WANTED – “The Big Man” (1989)
XENO – “The Business” (1983)
CUT THE MUSTARD – “Cross That Line” (1984)
KORRUPTION – “Mother” (1997)
BONEDIGGER – “Truck” (1997)
BLACK DIAMOND – “Back Street Lover” (1978)
NITRO – “Magic” (1982)
BACK STREET BOYZ – “I’m Dreaming” (1990)
LEGACY – “There Comes a Time” (1993)

HOUR TWO:

THE FRONT – “Girls Talk” (1983)
SHOCKZONE – “2nd Chance” (1985)
THE DADDY LICKS BAND – “I Got Wheels” (1982)
FRICTION – “Dancing Now” (1984)
TREMOR – “Love Is So Tragic” (1975)
WICKED TRUTH – “Take a Chance” (1975)
BLUES PUNKS – “Bound to Lose” (1992)
POVERTY BOY – “Midnight Fantasy” (1988)
BEYOND REASON – “True Identity” (1992)
FATAL MAIM – “Fat Chance” (1990)
BASHFUL – “Down for the Count” (1990)

HOUR THREE:

THE STATION HOUSE BAND – “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” (1995, Don Ruzzi)
QUEEN BEE & THE BLUE HORNET BAND – “Too Tall to Mambo” (1997, “Queen Bee” Tonya Browne)
ORIGINAL SOUL PROJECT – “Let’s Make It Better” (1999, Jason Zarecky)
PETEY GETS AROUND – “Choke and Roll” (1997, David Learn)
THE IMPOSTORS – “Open Up Your Heart” (1988, Charlie Brown)
DELIRIUM – “Life” (1997, Ron Penvose)
BLACK ANGEL – “Black Angel” (1984, Barry Russell)
THE U.S. HOUSE BAND – “T-Bone Shuffle” (1996, Jim Rossi)

This Sunday night, it will be a special edition of the “Backyard Rocker” when our guests in the studio will be Chuck Navasky and Felix & the Hurricanes. Chuck Navasky sang in a number of area bands through the years, before being diagnosed with throat cancer. After defeating throat cancer twice, Chuck founded One Less Tear, a music project enlisting famous celebrities from the entertainment and sporting worlds, united in the quest to cause “one less tear” to be shed because of cancer. Proceeds from One Less Tear benefit cancer research organizations. Chuck will update us on One Less Tear and the forthcoming 2004 Survivor Tour, which kicks off June 26 at “Thunder In The Valley” in Johnstown with the One Less Tear Band opening for Blue Oyster Cult and Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers. Felix & the Hurricanes are backing Chuck and One Less Tear; we will hear their thoughts on their involvement in the fight against cancer. A special One Less Tear edition of the “Backyard Rocker,” this Sunday night!

Other forthcoming guests and specials include:

JUNE 13 – Millenium Music Conference Preview Special
JUNE 20 – Fathers & Sons/Daughters of Local Music Special
JUNE 27 – The Rudys
JULY 4 – Millenium Music Conference Recap Special
JULY 11 – Spitshine
JULY 18 – Gypsy & the Crazymoon
JULY 25 – Fast Forward Special
AUG. 8 – Cover Song Special
AUG. 22 – Guitar Heroes of Local Rock Special
SEPT. 5 – Calendar Girl Special
SEPT. 19 – White Witch
OCT. 3 – Acoustic Jam Special
DEC. 12 – Fat Vinny & the Wiseguys

For regular updates on what is happening on the area music scene, pay a visit to Rockpage (www.rockpage.org). Rockpage features band links, a message board, "Backyard 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 Backyard Rocker" are invited to send their broadcast-quality recordings to: WBXQ Radio, 4000 5th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602; ATTN: Jim Price. Or drop the recordings off at the station during regular business hours, Monday-Friday 9 AM - 5 PM.

Q94’s “Backyard Rocker” has been introducing listeners to the region’s best musical talent for over six years, and we plan to do it for many more. Help guarantee the program’s future, and consider becoming an advertising sponsor of the “Backyard Rocker.” If your business involves music, a “Backyard Rocker” sponsorship can get your message in front of listeners interested in music. To inquire about becoming a sponsor of the “Backyard Rocker,” call Diane Boslet during regular business hours at (814) 944-9320, or email diane@wbxq.com.

Jim Price

In local music news this week:

One of eastern PA’s most popular heavy rock bands is calling it day. Dead Leaves announced this past week that after ten years of rocking stages throughout the Northeast, they are disbanding so the members can go their separate ways. Dead Leaves will play out several final select dates, with their last appearance happening July 4 at the Rock The Block concert in Shamokin.

The Grimm has found their new guitarist. Scott Botteicher, who has a long and distinguished lineage in the local music scene, including studio work, solo recordings projects and a number of bands, including Aushkriek and The Ninth Academy, replaces Kirk “Otto” Tonkin, who is leaving the band. The Grimm will begin to work Scott in during the summer months, with the transition expected to be complete by fall.

The group Bad Daze has finally found their new bass player and drummer. Paul Rainey has officially become the group’s new bassist, and made his debut with the band last weekend at a show in Ebensburg. Kevin Siegel will take over behind Bad Daze's drum kit, replacing Harry Rainey; he will debut with the group within the next few weeks.

Bellwood rockers The Rudys have slimmed to a trio, after guitarist Jason Sargent left the group for personal reasons. The group plans to continue as a three-piece, and will be guests on the “Backyard Rocker” on June 27.

An update on V.I.H. Blues Band singer and guitarist Sterling Koch…A special benefit was held near New Tripoli, PA last weekend to help Sterling, who suffered a herniated disc in his neck that has rendered him unable to earn his living playing or teaching guitar. The “Nothin’ But The Blues” benefit was reported to be a success, and will become an annual event to help out blues musicians or blues causes. Now unable to strap on a conventional guitar or risk further damage to his neck, Sterling is currently learning to play a lap steel guitar, and hopes to soon graduate to a pedal steel guitar. And the V.I.H. Blues Band will continue once Sterling is back up to speed on his new instruments.

Former Psycho Scream guitarist Jim Dofka and his self-titled band, Dofka, are close to the completion of their long-awaited second album. The as-yet untitled album should be finished and released sometime this summer. In the meantime, Dofka has contributed a track to a new Black Sabbath tribute CD called “Evil Lives: A True Metal Tribute to Black Sabbath.” Dofka performs a version of “N.I.B.” The compilation, which also features Sabbath remakes from Iced Earth, Agent Steel, Jag Panzer and other bands, will be released by Majick Records this coming Tuesday, June 1st.
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