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. Special features during December include a Homegrown Music Concert on the 8th and the annual end of the year sampler on the 30th. Further information on Homegrown Music may be obtained via the World Wide Web at http://homegrownmusic.info and http://www.wvia.org/radio/local/homegrown-music/

Dec. 2 Free Range Folk. A large folk-rock-bluegrass-jam band from around Jim Thorpe, PA, Free Range Folk includes such instruments as a musical saw and saxophone, in addition to the expected string instruments. They serve up a eclectic collection of original music from the lighthearted to some protest songs. Note Encore from 2013.

The piano trio Tri-Fi, features Northeastern PA born and bred Matthew Fries on piano, Keith Hall on drums, and Phil Palumbi on bass. They have been together for several years now and toured worldwide. Earlier this year, they released their fourth album Staring into the Sun, which has been featured on WVIA's All That Jazz. They last appeared on the Homegrown Music concert series in 2005, and we welcome them back for another great set of intelligent, appealing jazz, featuring mostly original compositions.

The Organik Vibe Trio was founded by organist/keyboard man Ron Oswanski and drummer Marko Marcinko. The group has included various notable members including vibist Dave Samuels and saxophonist Joe Frahm. For this performance, they are joined by sax player Tim Ries, who in addition to stellar jazz credentials, performed with the Rolling Stones on their 2004-2005 tour, and also did arranging for the rock icons. It promises to be a memorable show.

As usual, free audience seating for this 8 PM concert in WVIA's Sordoni Theater, is available on the web or by calling 570-655-2808. (Note: Start time: 8:00 PM.)

Dec. 9 Andy Scott. A jazzy singer-songwriter and guitarist Andy Scott has recorded with such artists as Madeleine Peyroux, who appeared on his CD, Don't Tempt Fate. This 2009 encore session features some of his appealing original songs with Scott on the piano and guitar.

Dec. 23 Mere Mortals. A popular and durable band from the 1990s into the early 2000s in Northeastern PA, the group featured the sophisticated songwriting of lead singer Ed Appnel and the outstanding guitar work of Pat Flynn. This Encore features excerpts from three recording sessions the band did for the Homegrown Music series.