HOMEGROWN MUSIC LISTINGS

March 2005

Mar. 1 Shawn Z. From Susquehanna County, PA, Shawn Z is a singer-songwriter whose musical style runs from folk to rock. He recently released a CD called Wishful Drinkin' featuring members of the Badlees, which has been generating interest regionally and been receiving airplay in locations around the country. He makes his Homegrown Music debut with some new, non-album material, in a duo with guitarist Tom Antoine.

Shawn Z

Mar. 8 Ned Farr. This memorable 1998 Homegrown Music session features a distinctive guitarist, singer and songwriter who has since left the area. Farr's often stunningly beautiful music is marked by atmospheric arrangements and wistful lyrics evoking Western vistas. (Encore)

Mar. 15 Homegrown Music Requests. Three or four times a year, Homegrown Music producer George Graham opens the program up to requests from listeners for music from the series' three-decade archive of more than 500 different artists and groups. To place requests for this 90-minute segment, phone 570-655-2808 preferably at least a day in advance. (Note: Start 8:30 PM.)

Mar. 22 Freight Train. This popular Northeastern Pennsylvania band existed during the mid 1990s, before the various members scattered around the country. With the vocals of Charles Havira and the guitar of Kevin Murphy, the band recorded several HGM sessions. This encore features highlights from those recordings.

Mar. 28 A Homegrown Music Concert featuring NAKED BLUE and JAY SMAR. WVIA's monthly series of live concert-broadcasts this month features a folk-oriented evening with the appealing folk-rock of Naked Blue, and the more traditionally-influenced music of Jay Smar.

Naked Blue, headed by songwriters Jen and Scott Smith have released five CDs, including their most recent Five by Five, which have developed a national following. Their music draws on rock, folk and pop elements and highlights Jen Smith's attractive vocals, and the band's intelligent songwriting. The group makes their Homegrown Music debut in what promises to be a very enjoyable set.

Jen and Scott Smith of Naked Blue

Jay Smar in the Studio at WVIA

Jay Smar is a long-time friend of Homegrown Music, making his debut on the series over 20 years ago. He has just released a new CD called Acoustic Buffet, that includes a combination of traditional folk material and original songs and instrumentals. Performing on guitar, banjo and fiddle, Smar captures the sound of old-time folk music, with an updated approach, in his first Homegrown Music concert in several years.

As usual WVIA's listeners are invited to attend the two-hour concert at the WVIA Studios. Admission is free by advance reservation on a first-come-first-served basis. Phone 570-655-2808 to reserve seats. (Note: Start time 8:00 PM).

Mar. 29 John Ginty Band. New Jersey keyboard man John Ginty is a much-in-demand studio and touring musician, having been a part of the acclaimed Robert Randolph Band, and recording with everyone from Lou Reed to the Smashing Pumpkins' James Iha to Homegrown Music veterans Neal Casal and Tom Flannery. This session is one of the few in which he led a band, playing some first-rate roots rock.

John Ginty (standing) with Neal Casal (left) and Tom Flannery in the control room at WVIA in 1997

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