HOMEGROWN MUSIC LISTINGS

January 2008

Jan. 1 A Homegrown Music 2007 Sampler. It's an annual tradition: the year-end edition of the show presenting a collection of some of the outstanding performances presented during the year, in a remarkably wide variety of styles, taken from the weekly studio recordings and the year's live concerts. (Note: Start time 8:30 PM)

Jan. 8 Life in a Blender. This distinctive sextet is known for their quirky, witty lyrics and instrumentation that includes violin and cello in addition to the regular complement of rock-band instruments. The band has been together for several years, has released five CDs and has toured internationally. Their current release The Heart Is a Small Balloon has been featured on WVIA' Mixed Bag. They make their Homegrown Music debut with a collection of their creative original music.

Life in a Blender recording at WVIA.

Jan. 14 A Homegrown Music Concert with BILL MAYS AND THE INVENTIONS TRIO. WVIA's unique series of live monthly concert broadcasts continues with a performance by a veteran jazz artist and his much talked-about group, from the new WVIA theater/studio.

Bill Mays

Bill Mays is one of the most respected and versatile pianists in jazz. Long associated with the West Coast scene, he has been a resident of Northeastern Pennsylvania for several years. His lengthy credits include dozens of albums under his own name, as well as work with artists as diverse as Frank Sinatra and Frank Zappa. Mays has always had a close relationship to classical music, and has previously explored the intersection of classical and jazz. His latest project is centered around a commissioned work called Fantasy, which is the centerpiece of his critically-acclaimed new CD. The Inventions Trio includes world-renowned jazz trumpeter Marvin Stamm and young classical cellist Alisa Horn. For his third appearance on Homegrown Music, Bill Mays will perform with the Inventions Trio to play Fantasy and other pieces from the jazz and classical world, all imbued with jazz improvisation. As an extra bonus, Bill Mays will also perform a full solo piano set.

As usual, WVIA's listeners are invited to attend the concert. Admission is free by advance reservation. Phone 570-655-2808, or go to www.wvia.org to place reservations. (Note: Start time: 8:00 PM.)

Jan 15 Jonathan Beedle. An outstanding singer-songwriter from the Lehigh Valley, Jonathan Beedle previously appeared in a duo with A.J. Swearingen. This solo acoustic performance from 2006 features an appealing collection of Beedle's original music.

Jonathan Beedle

Doerfel Family and friend at WVIA.

Jan. 22 Doerfel Family Bluegrass. This remarkable musical family from Upstate New York includes five siblings ranging in age from 12 to 19. They regularly tour up and down the East Coast, playing at festivals and folk venues. The Doerfels make their very impressive Homegrown Music debut performing world-class bluegrass including both original and traditional material.

Jan. 29 A BLUE SPARKS Anthology. One of the most popular bands in the region during the 1980s was the Blue Sparks from Hell. Their blend of high energy, high spirits, and great songwriting won them enthusiastic audiences up and down the East Coast. They "officially" adjourned at the end of the 1980s, but still occasionally get together for a show. This archive anthology features highlights from the band's three Homegrown Music sessions they did during that decade, including the recording of "Real Man's Car" which won Blue Sparks a national Best Unsigned Band competition at the time.

Blue Sparks, performing in 2002.

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