[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the June 3 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 show is brought to you by The Altoona Curve (www.altoonacurve.com), “Everybody’s Hometown Team!”

Thanks to our guest this week, Chad Gontkovic, lead singer and keyboard player for the western PA-based band Somerhill, for making the trip over the hill to Altoona to enlighten our listeners about Somerhill. Chad shared the story of the band to date and gave us some insight into their musical vision. We heard several songs from the group’s first demo recording, New Disease, and a lucky listener won a copy! We also updated Local Music News, debuted a new song from Buddy Dee & the Hitmen, and reviewed the Victory In Heaven Band’s new album, V.I.H. V, in “The Professor’s CD Corner.” (The review can be viewed in the “Backyard Rocker” section of the message board area on Q94’s website, www.wbxq.com.) Again, another busy week!

Here is this week’s playlist:

HOUR ONE:

NORMAN NARDINI – “Rock and Roll City” (live)
RUSTY GUN REVIVAL – “Step It Up N’Go”
SOMERHILL – “Don’t Be Late”
BUDDY DEE & THE HITMEN – “You Take It All Away”
SOMERHILL – “Different Views”
SPITSHINE – “Mandalyn”
SOMERHILL – “Forward Eyes”

HOUR TWO:

THE NIGHTCRAWLERS – “African Echo”
JUST MEGAN – “Wrecking Ball”
SOMERHILL – “Enrapture”
VICTORY IN HEAVEN BAND – “On Time”
SOMERHILL – “Be Alive”
JOHN CHARNEY – “Pre Choice”
SOMERHILL – “Free Your Mind”

Next Sunday night, our guests via phone will be the Lehigh Valley-based band Spitshine. We’ll get updated on the latest Spitshine happenings, and possibly hear some new tunes from them! We’ll also debut new tunes from other area bands and artists, and more! Listen as Spitshine joins us via phone on the “Backyard Rocker,” next Sunday night!

Forthcoming guests and specials include:

JUNE 17 – Father’s Day Special (Eric & Rick Wertz; Evan and Randy Rutherford)
JULY 15 – The Scraps
JULY 22 – My Turning Point
JULY 29 – Last Chance
AUG. 5 – Cover Song Special
AUG. 19 – Fayted (tentative)
AUG. 26 – Spirit Lost
SEPT. 9 – Tony Mollick Project
SEPT. 23 – Chapter 5 (tentative)
OCT. 7 – Justin Mack
OCT. 14 – Acoustic Jam Special 8
OCT. 28 – White Witch (Halloween Special)

The "Backyard Rocker" is happy to announce its continued partnership with "The Underground TV," the local/regional music television show airing on WWPC Fox 8 Sunday and Monday mornings at 1 AM. 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, 1417 12th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601; 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 nine 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…

Benefit shows dominate our look at Local Music News this week. This past weekend, two benefit shows took place in memory of a fan of the local hardcore and metal scenes. The shows raised money for the family of Michael Hicks of Altoona, who passed away on April 14. The first show took place at Aldo’s in Juniata this past Friday night, and featured performances from Vengence, Not Without Resistance, Suicide Switch, Chapter 5 and Choking Faith. Over $1,000 was raised at that benefit. The second show, an all-ages show, took place this past Saturday night at the Clearfield Fairgrounds Community Building, and featured performances from Wisdom In Chains, Not Without Resistance, Enough Said, Vengence, and Deliberate Intent, plus several guests.

The 4th Annual Relay for Life Band Jam will take place on Saturday, June 16, 2007 from 10 am to 11 pm at the Shade Gap Picnic Grounds in Shade Gap, Huntingdon County. The admission is $5 for ages 13 yrs & up; 12 and under will be admitted free. The entertainment includes performances from Brianna Sheeder, Twin Hill Express, Chris Ruble, Alter, Doug Forshey, Faded, The Lakota Band, Easy Money, Scream and Sound of Silence. Also, there will be craft vendors/yard sales, a car show, a silent auction, kids activities including games and many other activities, lots of great food and more. For more information, visit the website www.fasttrackersrelayforlife.com. All proceeds from the day benefit the American Cancer Society.

A benefit concert to help out a regional guitar maker who recently lost his house to fire will take place during the last weekend of this month. The benefit will help out Scott Eckberg, the proprietor of Eckberg Guitars. The show will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 30 and July 1, at Ridge Camp at Lake Raystown’s Seven Points Marina, and will feature performances from Blackseed, The Flame Sky and others. The event is open to campers, and reservations must be made by emailing hoedown.pa@gmail.com.

Summer sounds return to downtown Altoona on select Friday evenings beginning this coming Friday, when the Blair County Arts Foundation again kicks off another season of the Summer Sounds Of Jazz Summer Concert Series at downtown Altoona’s Curtin Plaza along 11th Avenue. Popular New Jersey favorites Blue Number Nine kick off the season this Friday evening. The concert runs from 6 to 9 PM, and admission is free. There will be Clem’s Ribs and refreshments available for purchase. Upcoming performers during the rest of the season will include Tommy Wareham & the Intrigues, Zydecoal, the Randy Jackson Jazz Band and South Saturn Delta.
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