Hello Everyone,
Here is the recap of the June 22 edition of “The Homegrown Rocker,” which airs every Sunday night from 8 to 10 PM on Q94 Classic Rock (www.q94classicrock.com), and from 10 PM to midnight on 107.1 and 101.3 Jack FM (www.1071jack.fm)!
This week, we welcomed guests into the studio, as 16-year-old Somerset-based singer and songwriter Allison Borek visited the program along with her father, John Borek. We learned Allison’s story and learned about her music, live show and creative process. We heard some songs from Allison’s vinyl debut album “Melancholy,” and she brought her guitar and played a few songs for us live! We also debuted new songs from Buffalo Rose, Coltt Winter Lepley and Alex Lee Warner, updated “Local Music News,” and dug a 2016 number from The Laurel – featuring John Borek and Allison singing backing vocals at age 6 – for our “Local Music Flashback!” (For those who missed the program, a four-part podcast of this show is available for listening or download from Q94’s website, www.q94classicrock.com. Click on “The Professor’s Classroom,” and then scroll down to “Homegrown Rocker Podcast” and look for the four show segments marked with the date, 062225.)
Here is this week’s playlist:
HOUR ONE:
CHRIS VIPOND & THE STANLEY STREET BAND – “Be”
SAMANTHA SEARS – “Through Waiting”
ALLISON BOREK – “Melancholy” (played live in the studio)
BUFFALO ROSE – “Borderline” (Madonna cover) (new)
ALLISON BOREK – “Hellos and Smiles”
COLTT WINTER LEPLEY – “Sunflower Creek” (new)
ALLISON BOREK – “The Ballad of Polly Williams” (played live in the studio)
MAMA CORN – “The Hanging of Alfred Andrews”
MATT OTIS & THE SOUND with ALEXANDRA NAPLES (of Willow Hill) – “Alone”
HOUR TWO:
FELIX & THE HURRICANES – “The Lonely One”
MYSTERYTRAIN – “Over the Stones”
ALLISON BOREK – “Thunderstorm”
ALEX LEE WARNER – “Peace Love Blues”
ALLISON BOREK – “Never Had a Drink” (played live in the studio)
THE LAUREL – “Mundane Things” (2016, Local Music Flashback)
ALLISON BOREK – “Old Words”
ALEA REID – “Best Friend”
ERIC IAN FARMER – “That’s How Strong My Love Is” (live at State Theatre in State College on 10/12/17)
On our next program, we will be joined in the studio by Bedford-based singer, songwriter and troubadour Coltt Winter Lepley! Coltt is set to release his self-titled debut album in July…We’ll discuss the new album and its recording, Coltt’s live shows and other happenings, and other aspects of his career! And Coltt will bring his acoustic guitar and play a few live songs for us! We’ll also update “Local Music News,” dig into the archive for another “Local Music Flashback,” and step “Across State Lines” to hear a piece of music from an independent band or artist from outside PA! Hear the “Homegrown Rocker” this Sunday night (June 29) on Q94 Classic Rock – 94.3 FM and online at www.q94classicrock.com, and on 107.1 and 101.3 Jack FM, online at www.1071jack.fm!
JULY 20 – Cover Song Special
JULY 27 – With Hopes Of Falling
AUG. 3 – Dave Mayersky (Upstage Music Fest)
AUG. 10 – Billy Davis
AUG. 17 – The American Mood
OCT. 26 – Halloween Special
NOV. 30 – Local Music on Vinyl Special
DEC. 14 – Dr. Barry Atticks (Lilla Jul Rockeband)
DEC. 21 – Christmas Special
DEC. 28 – 2025 Year in Review
(All dates are subject to changes as circumstances warrant.)
Bands and artists wanting to submit news items for “Local Music News” may email their news to homegrownrocker@gmail.com. Indicate “MUSIC NEWS” in the subject heading!
Bands and artists interested in having music aired on the show are invited to send their broadcast-quality recordings to: The Homegrown Rocker, 2513 6th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 (ATTN: Jim Price). You can also email digital song files or inquiries about the show to homegrownrocker@gmail.com; and submit digital song files through the link on “The Professor’s Classroom” page. And bands and musicians interested in being guests on the program can email their interest to homegrownrocker@gmail.com as well!
Jim Price
In Local Music News…
A longtime Altoona area entertainment venue and institution is closing up shop early next month. According to owner Doug Simon, The Casino at Lakemont Park will close its doors after a wedding reception final event on July 5. According to his post on Facebook reporting the impending closure, Simon cited increasing financial concerns and lack of local government and developmental entity tax support to maintain the space, even though Blair County owns the grounds of the facility, a qualifying criterion of the local Hotel and Bed Tax agreement that was hoped to help support the Casino and pay down its operating debts.
And Pittsburgh music legend Lou Christie, who scored several pop and light-rock hits in the 1960s, passed away at his Pittsburgh home on Wednesday (June 18) at age 82 after battling a brief sickness. Christie reached the peak of his professional success in 1966 with the singles “Lightnin’ Strikes’” and “Rhapsody in the Rain,” the former which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He later had another Top Ten hit in 1969 with the song “I’m Gonna Make You Mine,” which also became his biggest hit in the U.K., where it peaked at Number 2. With his falsetto voice, Christie continued to entertain audiences on the oldies circuit well into his 70s.
