[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the August 27 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. The “Backyard Rocker” is brought to you by the U.S. Army. Visit their website, www.goarmy.com, and call the Altoona Recruiting Station at (814) 944-2592.

In conjunction with Q94’s “Fast Forward Weekend,” we presented the “Fast Forward Special” edition of the “Backyard Rocker.” The premise was the same; we played back-to-back songs; the first being a song from early in the career of an area band or musician, and the second being a more recent song from that same performer. During the course of the special, we heard the progression and evolution of several bands over time, and spotlighted individual musicians and the wide difference in music they played years ago and now.

Also, we previewed the upcoming Johnstown Folkfest (www.jaha.org/FolkFest/performers.html), which takes place on Labor Day Weekend at Festival Park near downtown Johnstown. We spoke with Ron Carnevali of the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, and got the scoop on Folkfest and the performers who will be playing on four stages over Folkfest weekend.

Here is this week’s playlist (the years of each tune are listed in parentheses):

HOUR ONE:

NEVERMORE – “Sea Lullaby” (1999)
VS. THE EARTH – “Friend Zone” (2004)
(Now based in Baltimore, Vs. the Earth started out in Altoona as Nevermore in the late 90’s. The two remaining founding members featured on both songs are singer Adam Marino and guitarist Mike Ritchey.)

FELIX & THE HURRICANES – “Way Behind” (live, 1997)
FELIX & THE HURRICANES – “Issues” (2003)
(Although Felix & the Hurricanes have been around for 17 years, there have been several different editions of the group over the years, with singer/guitarist/founding member Felix Kos the constant member through it all. The earlier tune featured the 90’s Hurricanes roster of Felix, drummer/singer John McKnight and bassist Bill Nusom; the later tune featured the present Hurricanes line-up of Felix, bassist/singer Jeff Clapper and drummer Bob Watters.)

SLAMMER – “City Rocks” (1989)
WIDE OPEN – “Revin’ it Up” (2005)
(Here we spotlighted Matt Socoski, who sang and played guitar on both tunes. In the 80’s, Matt was tearing up area stages with Slammer; now he continues to rock with Wide Open. This double-shot illustrated that both then and now, Matt has always been associated with full-throttled hard rock.)

CUT THE MUSTARD – “Sandman” (1983)
ISSUES – “Back Atcha” (2006)
(Back in the late 70’s and early 80’s, bassist Bob “Zorbo” Slovikosky and drummer Skip Fisher anchored the popular hard-rocking Coalport-based band Cut The Mustard. Nowadays, the two are back in action as the foundation of another Coalport-based band, Issues.)

BILLY PRICE – “The Big Show” (2006)
BILLY PRICE & THE KEYSTONE RHYTHM BAND – “Slipped, Tripped and Fell In Love” (1988)
(Here we cheated a little bit, and did a “rewind” instead of a “fast forward,” in conjunction with our featured interview with Ron Carnevali about Johnstown Folkfest. One of the performers at this year’s Folkfest will be Pittsburgh R&B legend Billy Price. We started with a track from Billy’s new album, East End Avenue, before flashing back to 1988 for a tune from Billy’s previous band, The Keystone Rhythm Band.)

HOUR TWO:

INSIDE OUT – “Can’t Stop A One-Way Ride” (1993)
INSIDE OUT – “Taking My Life Back” (2005)
(Here we fast-forwarded through the career of Johnstown hard rockers Inside Out. The group has undergone a complete line-up transformation in the dozen-year span between the two songs; the lone remaining founding member is singer/guitarist Tim Frick.)

HALESTORM – “Time Man” (1998)
HALESTORM – “The Hand” (live, 2006)
(Here we literally heard two musicians and their band grow up before our ears. When Halestorm recorded their debut album, Don’t Mess With the Time Man, in 1998, singer/keyboardist Elizabeth “Lzzy” Hale was 15, and drummer Arejay was just 12. Eight years later, Halestorm is signed to Atlantic Records and rocking hard! This double-shot showed us just how far this brother and sister and their band has grown and matured over the years.)

LONG FUSE TRIGGER – “Down A Hole” (1995)
RUSTY GUN REVIVAL – “Step It Up N’Go” (2006)
(On this fast-forward, we spotlighted Clearfield-based drummer Tom Hipps. Back in 1995, Tom provided the beats for the hardcore punk band Long Fuse Trigger. Eleven years later, his snare drumming powers the roots/Americana trio Rusty Gun Revival. What a contrast!)

MESSIAH PROPHET – “Master of the Metal” (1986)
GREEN EGGS – “My Band” (live, 2002)
(This fast-forward focused on Lancaster’s Brian Nicarry. In the mid-80’s, Brian was playing bass for the eastern PA-based heavy metal band Messiah Prophet; today he sings and plays keys for Lancaster-based party band juggernaut Green Eggs.)

MIKE REICH & SEGUE – “Someone Else’s War” (1989)
MICHAEL REICH – “Live For Today” (1989)
(This fast-forward illustrated the progression and evolution of Somerset County-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Reich. Both songs illustrate that both then and now, Michael has created intriguing and thoughtful music, a constant throughout his career.)

Next Sunday night, we have no guests scheduled in the studio, so we will devote the program to catching up on new recordings that have arrived at “Backyard Rocker” headquarters in recent weeks. We will also update Local Music News, and review a new local CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner.” It will be maximum local and regional music on the “Backyard Rocker,” next Sunday night!

Forthcoming guests and specials include:

SEPT. 17 – Jackson Monsour
SEPT. 24 – Rusty Gun Revival (tentative)
OCT. 8 – Acoustic Jam Special 6
OCT. 15 – Blues and Roots Special
OCT. 29 – Halloween Special/Underground Television Season Kickoff Special
NOV. 19 – Good For Nothing
DEC. 24 – Christmas Special
DEC. 31 – 2006 Year In Review Special

For the second year, the “Backyard Rocker” is happy to announce its partnership with “The Underground TV,” the 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! The third season premieres in November!

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
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http://pamusician.net