[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the April 24 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.

Thanks to Steve Arnold and Noah Figlin of The Nightcrawlers for making the roadtrip in from Happy Valley to be our guests this week. Steve and Noah gave us insight on The Nightcrawlers, their unique and eclectic brand of music, live show and more. We heard all five tracks from The Nightcrawlers’ just-completed EP, which will be released this coming week.

We also spoke with Ed and Cathy of Get Closer To The Music about their 2nd annual Music Festival/Workshop, taking place this coming Saturday, April 30th at the Booker T. Washington Recreation Building in Altoona. The workshop will feature opportunities for youngsters to pick up and get acquainted with various musical instruments, and the day will also feature performances from Felix & the Hurricanes, Blind Jonny Death, LIDZ, Faultline and more. Admission is free, and the event starts at 10 AM.

We also recapped the 15th annual “Crazy Fest” Amateur Talent Show, which happened earlier in the afternoon at the Greenwood Fire Hall in Altoona; and we updated Local Music News.

Here is this week’s playlist:

HOUR ONE:

SIDESTEP – “Sidesteppin’”
INFUSED – “Silence Of the Rain”
THE NIGHTCRAWLERS – “African Echo”
DRUGMONEY – “I Know”
THE NIGHTCRAWLERS – “Desert Sun”
J.D. STRUM – “Empty Chair”

HOUR TWO:

FELIX & THE HURRICANES – “Grow”
THE NIGHTCRAWLERS – “Latin Groove”
THE CODETALKERS – “Did My Time”
THE NIGHTCRAWLERS – “Black Hole”
FAT VINNY & THE WISEGUYS – “Shuffle Up and Deal”
THE NIGHTCRAWLERS – “Lover’s Test”

This coming Sunday night, our guests will be Pittsburgh-based acoustic rock group J.D. Strum. We'll hear tunes from their debut CD, "Just Another Story," plus the group will perform a few songs live on the air. Listeners will have a chance to win a copy of the CD; plus, it is a "Harley Qualification Weekend," so listeners will also have chances to call in qualify for Q94's Harley Fat Boy, being given away in June! We'll also check on Local Music News, and review a new local/regional CD on "The Professor's CD Corner." J.D. Strum pays their first visit to the "Backyard Rocker," this Sunday night!

Forthcoming guests and specials include:

APR. 24 – The Nightcrawlers
MAY 1 – J.D. Strum
MAY 8 – Hierosonic
MAY 15 – Sidestep
MAY 22 – Shades Of June
MAY 29 – Memorial Day Special
JUNE 5 – Third Standard
JUNE 12 – Fisher Meehan (Drugmoney)
JUNE 19 – Fathers & Sons/Daughters of Local Music Special
JUNE 26 - Nitekast
JULY 3 – Millennium Music Conference Recap Special
JULY 17 – T.M.P.
JULY 24 – Crystal Cameron
JULY 31 – Cloud Party
AUG. 7 – Brothers & Sisters of Local Music Special
AUG. 14 – The Flame Sky (tentative)
SEPT. 4 – The Underground TV (“Music to the Masses” concert preview)
OCT. 2 – Project Twelve(34)
OCT. 9 – Acoustic Jam Special 4
OCT. 30 – Halloween Special
NOV. 6 – Michael Reich
NOV. 13 – John Charney
DEC. 18 – Fat Vinny & the Wiseguys

The “Backyard Rocker” is happy to announce its partnership with “The Underground TV,” the new local/regional music television show airing on WWCP-TV Fox 8 Saturday evenings at 6 PM. Check out “The Underground” as it features different unsigned local and regional bands every week; and watch for “Backyard Rocker” updates on the show each week as well!

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 seven 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…

More details on the Jeff Wallack memorial benefit show, which takes place on Friday night, April 29 at Aldo’s Place in Altoona. The show starts at 8 PM, and will feature performances from The Flame Sky, Gasoline Dion from Pittsburgh, The Farm Show and a jam session. All musicians are welcome to take part in the jam session. For more information, contact Ron at Rockpage (www.rockpage.net), or Rich at Aldo’s.

Another special benefit show will take place at Peter C’s in Altoona on Friday night, May 6, to help out the surviving family of Opposition singer Mike “Iceman” Bryant’s older brother, who passed away recently and was uninsured. The show will feature performances from Dustin Burley, Beyond Reason, Dear Abby, Fat Vinny & the Wiseguys and The Nightcrawlers; and will start at 9:30. For more information, visit Rockpage.

Three veteran Johnstown area musicians have formed a new project, called The RipTones. A trio, The RipTones pair former Inside Out drummer Ben Frick with former Purple guitarist Jai Bunting and bassist/keyboardist Scott Barkhimer, whose resume includes stints with Inside Out, Purple, Strange Agent, Yum and others.

A personnel change for CuCuPlex, who have parted ways with singer Scott Russell. Former Riot Act, Pipe and Broken Neck member Dan Martino replaces him.

Wide Open is getting set to release their first CD next month. The album will be called “First Ride,” and according to guitarist/singer Matt Socoski, should be available by the time the group plays at Chrome At The Dome in Clearfield in early June.

And congratulations to Fat Vinny & the Wiseguys drummer Jeff Van Clief and his wife, Wendy, proud parents of a new baby boy this past week named Jake. Baby and parents are reportedly all doing fine.
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