[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the January 22 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 our guest in the studio this week, Johnstown-based singer, songwriter, guitarist and performer Dave Distefano (www.davedistefano.com), for an insightful and entertaining two hours. We got acquainted with Dave and his career to date, and heard tracks from his soon-to-be-released debut album. Dave also brought a guitar and harmonica along and performed two songs live on the air.

We also updated Local Music News, and introduced new tunes from Halestorm, Rik Golden, Periwinkle Shag, The Marauders and Suns Of Asylum. We celebrated the Steelers punching their ticket to the Super Bowl with the Groove Junkies’ “Steelers Pittsburgh Blues” to open the show, and we did two Local Flashbacks to recall tunes from Inside Out and Raging Slab.

Here is this week’s playlist:

HOUR ONE:

THE GROOVE JUNKIES – “Steelers Pittsburgh Blues”
HALESTORM – “It’s Not You” (live)
DAVE DISTEFANO – “Back Off Against the Wall”
RIK GOLDEN – “The Station Inn Song”
DAVE DISTEFANO – Simple Characters”
INSIDE OUT – “Take Me Home” (1993, Local Music Flashback)
DAVE DISTEFANO – “Mutterings” (performed live on the air)
PERIWINKLE SHAG – “Smitty”

HOUR TWO:

WELL OF SOULS – “Little Sister”
MARAUDERS – “Astrozombies”
DAVE DISTEFANO – “Day Of Reasoning”
RAGING SLAB – “Dig A Hole” (1989, Local Music Flashback)
DAVE DISTEFANO – “Miss Autumn”
SUNS OF ASYLUM – “All Gone”
DAVE DISTEFANO – “Move On” (performed live on the air)
DAVE DISTEFANO – “No Extra Lovin’”

Next Sunday night, we’ll be visited in the studio by members of northeastern PA-based hard rockers Well Of Souls. Well get acquainted with Well Of Souls, and hear recorded tracks from them. We’ll also update Local Music News, and review a new local/regional CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner.” Well Of Souls visits the “Backyard Rocker,” next Sunday night!

Forthcoming guests and specials include:

FEB. 5 – Super Bowl Widow’s Special (Ladies Night)
FEB. 12 – Spoonchatter
FEB. 19 – Justin Mackovyak
FEB. 26 – Michael Reich
MAR. 5 – Felix & the Hurricanes (8th Anniversary Special)
MAR. 12 – Acoustic Jam Special 5
MAR. 19 – Icarus Witch
MAR. 26 – Grade E
APR. 2 – Ledbetter Heights
APR. 9 – Wiskerbisket
APR. 16 – Ken Gray
APR. 23 – Silver Sunday
MAY 7 – Sherri Mullen
MAY 21 – White Witch
MAY 28 – Memorial Day Special
JUNE 18 – Fathers & Sons/Daughters of Local Music Special (with Greg and Dustin Burley)

For the second year, the “Backyard Rocker” is happy to announce its partnership with “The Underground TV,” the new local/regional music television show now airing twice weekly, on WWCP-TV Fox 8 Saturday evenings at 6 PM, and Monday mornings at 1 AM on WATM ABC 23. 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.net). 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...

Flight 19 is currently in the studio recording their full-length CD, which will be entitled Hobo Stew. The album will feature at least ten tracks, including updated versions of the four songs from the group's 2004 EP, Pumpkin Fogger, with current bassist Sean Johnson performing on them. The completed album should be available later this spring.

An update on a former area musician…Eric Biter, who used to play bass in the bands Delirium, Wine Of Nails and Honey Bomb, is now based in Hickory, North Carolina, and is currently a member of a classic rock/jam band called The King Biscuit Trio. The group has a page on MySpace, and is hoping to perform some shows in central PA this summer.

Another former area musician has formed a new band in his current home area of Lebanon near Harrisburg. Todd Billett, a former drummer of Altoona-based rockers Toddo, has joined up with former members of Goon Squad and No More Monkeys to form a new band called Roxxon. According to Todd, the group is working on original songs, and is planning to bring Roxxon to the Altoona area to perform shows later this year.

The band Flap Jack N'Jill is no more. The group announced that their New Year's Eve show was their final performance, and thanked all their fans for the support. On the group's page on Rockpage.net, Flap Jack N'Jill told fans to watch for the band members in new projects soon.

A change of bass players for Bedford-based rock band Under One. The group and Alex Dierling have parted ways; Josh Smith replaces him.

Some benefit shows to tell you about. First, the third annual Rockpage Jam Benefit will take place this Thursday night at Peter C’s in Altoona. The show begins at 8 PM, and will feature performances from The Vengence Of Carl Lee, One Gun Salute, The Flame Sky and The Grimm, plus a jam session of Rockpage member musicians to end the night. Admission is $3, and proceeds will benefit the Erin McConnell Fund. (Erin is a 17-year-old area girl who lost part of her leg in a horrific traffic accident in the parking lot of the Ponderosa Restaurant in December.)

Next Sunday night, the White Lady Tavern on top of the Buckhorn will host a special benefit show for the families of Tyler Harrington and Mike Tremmel, two area men killed in a recent auto/tractor-trailer accident. All door money will go to their families. Other items from bands and beer distributors will be sold with those proceeds also donated. The show starts at 8 PM, and will feature the bands Hello Vixen, 513 and the Giants Of Science. Donation at the door will be $10 per person.

The second installment of the "One Voice Musical Showcase" event has been officially announced. The live showcase series, which spotlights area bands and artists performing their own original material with proceeds benefiting a charity, will next take place at City Limits in Altoona on Friday evening, February 10, beginning at 9:30. The showcase will feature performances from the bands Infused, Spoonchatter and Fat Vinny & the Wiseguys. Donation will be $5, with the proceeds benefiting the Domestic Abuse Shelter in Altoona.

Regional music promotion agency Black Thorn Entertainment is sponsoring a special Valentine's Day campaign to show love for our military personnel overseas. During their "Valentines for Vets" campaign, Black Thorn Entertainment is collecting Valentine's cards to distribute at regional veterans hospitals and to send to soldiers overseas. Persons interested in donating valentines can send them to Black Thorn Entertainment, Attention – Valentines for Vets, P.O. Box 426, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. The deadline is February 1.
_________________

http://pamusician.net