HOMEGROWN MUSIC LISTINGS

June 2006

June 6 Tom Flannery. Singer-songwriter and playwright Tom Flannery, from Peckville, PA, is one of the region's most prolific composers, with many appearances on Homegrown Music, and two CDs released. This segment is an encore of some of his memorable songs, from the humorous to the poignant, taken from various of his appearances on Homegrown Music.

Tom Flannery in the WVIA studio

Leslie Clemmons Band recording for Homegrown Music

June 13 Leslie Clemmons Band. New Orleans-native, New York-based singer-songwriter Leslie Clemmons has released two well-received CDs, including her current release Waiting for My Conviction, which has been featured on WVIA's Mixed Bag. She makes her Homegrown Music debut with a collection of her intelligent original music, including new material not yet released. She is joined by a tasteful band including her husband, pianist and arranger Rod Clemmons.

June 20 Tim Farrell. Virtuoso acoustic guitarist Tim Farrell has had his work featured prominently on the nationally distributed Echoes Public Radio program. This encore features a session from 1996 with both instrumental and humorous vocal material.

Andrew Cheshire with electric sitar in the studio

June 21 A Homegrown Jazz Special with the ANDREW CHESHIRE and the ISHWARA TRIO. Guitarist and composer Andrew Cheshire has been a guest on Homegrown Music in several different music contexts. This all-new performance represents yet another musical direction: electric sitar. He plays the distinctive instrument in a trio joined by the talented young rhythm section of bassist Joe Michaels and drummer Jerad Lippi, performing a program of new original compositions. (Note: Start time 7:00 PM during WVIA's All That Jazz)

June 26 A Homegrown Music Concert with TEETER GRAY and RUSS RENTLER. WVIA's unique series of monthly live two-hour broadcasts this time presents an appealing but difficult-to-categorize band, and a lyrically astute and witty singer-songwriter.

Teeter Gray was founded by Chris Koch, a New Jersey-based singer-songwriter with wide musical interests. The band's CD Blue Love was featured on the Mixed Bag weekly album review, which noted its eclecticism, running from folk to Western Swing to jazz in its influences, all marked by excellent composing and tasteful musicianship. Koch will be joined by a band including a jazz bassist and Julliard-trained violinist Mazz Swift, who put in a remarkable appearance with Brazz Tree in April.

Chris Koch of Teeter Gray

Russ Rentler

Lehigh Valley singer-songwriter Russ Rentler has been performing since the 1970s, when he and contemporary folk luminaries John Gorka and Richard Shindell were part of the Razzy Dazzy Spasm band. Dividing his time between practicing medicine and songwriting, Rentler recently released Scarecrow's Lament, which yielded the humorous song New Car Smell, which was included in a recent Car Talk program on NPR. He makes his Homegrown Music debut performing his entertaining original songs.

As usual, WVIA's listeners are invited to attend the concert at the station's Public Broadcasting Center studios. Admission is free by advance reservation. Phone 570-655-2808 to place seating reservations. (Note: Start time: 8:00 PM)

June 27 Kati Mac. Ms. Mac is best-known in the music business for her career working as a backing vocalist with some well-known artists including Sting. But she is also a fine songwriter in her own right. This Homegrown Music segment encores music from her two recording session for the series.

Kati Mac with Kevin Hupp on Homegrown Music

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