Hello Everyone,
Here is the recap of the October 5 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)!
Joining us in the studio this week was young Punxsutawney-based drummer, guitarist, keyboardist, singer and all-around musician Alex Shumaker! Alex began playing drums at age 5, and soon found himself playing on stages with local and regional acts, as well as such national names as Jackyl and Wynonna Judd! Along the way, he learned guitar and began writing his own songs. Now at age 18, he is getting ready to release a full-length album, and also plays drums and guitars with area classic rockers Fuse! Alex shared his story, discussed his music and live show, and we played some of his recorded songs, and he brought a guitar and played a few live for us too! Along the way, we updated “Local Music News” and dug out a 1983 song by State College’s Nomad for this week’s “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, 100525.)
Here is this week’s playlist:
HOUR ONE:
GABE STILLMAN – “No Time For Me”
FELIX & THE HURRICANES – “Walking A Straight Line”
ALEX SHUMAKER – “This Ole Guitar”
DAN STONEROOK – “East Bound and Down”
ALEX SHUMAKER – “Country Girls”
JUKEHOUSE BOMBERS – “Shake What Momma Gave Ya”
ALEX SHUMAKER – “In My Head”
STEVE BROSKY – “Style Is Forever”
HOUR TWO:
THE HEARTSTRINGS – “Whiskey River”
JESS ZIMMERMAN BAND – “Bring Me What’s Mine”
ALEX SHUMAKER – “These Nights”
KEITH RANDALL – “The Man You First Fell in Love With”
ALEX SHUMAKER – “Still Alive”
NOMAD – “I Don’t Know How to Feel Today” (1983, Local Music Flashback)
ALEX SHUMAKER – “Wallen Song”
NORMAN NARDINI – “The Devil”
Another guest joins us on our next program, as we speak with western PA-based hard rocker and song creator Dom Copelli, alias Gonto! Gonto will tell us his story, and discuss his music, how he comes up with songs, his forthcoming studio album and more, plus we’ll play several of his recorded songs! We’ll also update “Local Music News,” dig a “Local Music Flashback” song from the archive and more! Listen to the “Homegrown Rocker” this Sunday night (October 12) 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!
UPCOMING GUESTS AND SPECIALS:
OCT. 26 – Halloween Special
NOV. 2 – Kevin Briggs
NOV. 16 – Punchline
NOV. 23 – All-Request Special
NOV. 30 – Local Music on Vinyl Special
DEC. 7 – Patrick Motto
DEC. 14 – Dr. Barry Atticks (Lilla Jul Rockeband)
DEC. 21 – Christmas Special
DEC. 28 – 2025 Year in Review
JAN. 11 – Man In Reverse
(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…
As reported in the new October issue of PA Musician Magazine, Harrisburg-based horror/gothic metal rockers Suicide Puppets have implemented a name change and transformation. The group has changed their name to Horror Scene, and has released a debut single under that name, called “Welcome To Your Hell.” The name change was in part due to problems in the cyber world stemming from their previous name. The group also decided that Horror Scene is more representative of their current musical and thematic direction. Listen for the debut of Horror Scene’s new song in coming weeks on the “Homegrown Rocker.”
And area musician, songwriter and composer Zupe has again gained recognition from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc. Zupe’s piano solo composition called “Two Ships Passing” has been officially accepted for consideration as Best Instrumental Composition for the 2026 Grammy Awards.
