Homegrown Music is WVIA-FM's exclusive series which each week showcases the talents of regional contemporary music artists in recordings produced in the WVIA-FM studios by series host George Graham and is broadcast Tuesdays at 9:00 PM. A special feature during February is a live concert on the 13th. Further information on Homegrown Music may be obtained via the World Wide Web at http://homegrownmusic.info and http://www.wvia.org/radio/wvia-fm-programs/homegrown-music

Feb. 7 Neal Casal. During the late 1990s, singer-songwriter and guitarist Neal Casal appeared on Homegrown Music a number of times, after releasing an acclaimed CD for a major label. He has since gone on to become a member of Ryan Adams' Cardinals group, and has done studio work with everyone from the Smashing Pumpkins' James Iha to Willie Nelson. This memorable 1997 Homegrown Music session features solo performances of songs which would appear in different form on his later albums.

Neal Casal at WVIA in 1997

Feb. 13 A Live Homegrown Music Concert with the SHEILA-MARK BLUES BAND and DON SHAPPELLE. WVIA's monthly series of live two-hour concert broadcasts from the station's Sordoni Theater continues with blues and folk from regional artists who have been long-time Homegrown Music guests.

Sheila Stratton and Mark Hamza

The Sheila-Mark Blues Band includes Poconos jazz and blues organist Mark Hamza who has been heard with the Great Swamp Blues Band and performing with other groups. He is joined by vocalist Sheila Stratton and a band to do energetic, funky blues.

Wilkes-Barre singer-songwriter Don Shappelle is another veteran of the Homegrown Music series going back to its early days. Shappelle is a folksinger in the classic style, and has collaborated with Pete Seeger. His original music also can run toward the blues. He has often written and sung about the Susquehanna River and the region's history. He'll be performing his original songs.

Don Shappelle at WVIA

As usual, WVIA's members and listeners are invited to attend. Free audience seating reservations are available by calling 570-655-2808 or on line at http://www.wvia.org. Note: Start time: 8:00 PM.

Jason O with his looping equipment at WVIA

Feb. 14 Jason O. From the Clifford, PA area, singer-songwriter Jason Olcese writes great original songs and is an appealing vocalist. In Novmeber 2011, he released a new CD called In My Bones. Recently, he has been incorporating electronic looping devices into his performances. This third Homegrown Music session from 2010 creatively exploits the technology with his acoustic instruments to make for an enjoyable and eclectic segment. (Encore)

Feb. 21 Kris Kehr. Another long-time Homegrown Music veteran, Kris Kehr has appeared in a number of settings, including solo, as a member of the eclectic bluegrass band Pavlov's Dawgs, with the Stone Poets and more recently, Mike Miz's band. This latest session from Kehr is a solo performance, but he incorporates a number of different instruments, in this new collection of original folk and rock influenced music.

Kris Kehr

Ann Kerstetter Band at WVIA

Feb. 28 The Ann Kerstetter Band. From Northumberland, Ann Kerstetter sang in rock bands decades ago, then had a lengthy career as a schoolteacher. After retiring from full-time teaching, Ms. Kerstetter re-launched her musical career and has been making great blues with a couple of different groups, and released a CD. She has appeared in two live Homegrown Music concerts, including at the Bloomsburg Fair. This edition of HGM is an encore of a 2009 studio session with some great backing musicians.

Contact Series Producer: