Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Local artists featured on 93.3 NCD

By Sarah Poulton

After years of begging and pleading, the Homegrown Radio Show has finally happened.

Originators “Viking Jim” Allgren and Jason Tibolla, both employees of 93.3 WNCD in Boardman, say they’ve been trying to host a local music show for years, but continued to be denied by a variety of superiors.

Near the end of summer, after some staff changes, they finally got what they’ve been working toward.

“JT and I have been scratching and clawing to get it done,” Allgren said. “Three program directors later... we proposed it at our first meeting and it was a go.”

Once the idea was moving forward, they recruited Pete Drivere of Ampreon Recorder because he has resources in the local music field and experience with the bands.

The show premiered Thanksgiving weekend with “Fantasy Radio” by Manifold Stud, and has continued every Sunday between 9 and 10 p.m.

All stemming from different musical preferences, the trio has agreed to work together and keep an open mind. They don’t stick to a certain genre, and have been known to play everything from metal to bluegrass.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be bands with new stuff,” Drivere said. “As long as it’s good stuff and it’s been done by area musicians, we’ll listen to it.”

The requirements to get on the Homegrown Radio Show are good songs with high production quality. Allgren said just because it’s a local band, they don’t automatically get on the show.

One hardship they’ve been dealing with is timing. Since the show starts at 9, they have to follow strict FCC regulations and must edit foul language.

“It’s corporate radio,” Tibolla said. “If we were on at 10, we could get away with it.”

Allgren said they have been getting good feedback from listeners. He said people have been sending requests for certain songs and bands. He added that there’s probably more varied and talented bands in this area right now than there has been in a long time.

“Our goal is to get people out,” Allgren said. “Get original rock acts heard. It’s not about us, it’s about the scene. It’s reaching critical masses and I wanna be the one that lights the damn fuse.”

Tibolla added: “We just want to create another avenue for people to enjoy local music.”

In the future, they expect the show will become longer and feature interviews with local bands, which is what certain band members are hoping to see.

Bob Boak, bassist for K-AWAKE said he loves the Homegrown Radio Show. He said the hosts seem like they’re doing a great job, but it doesn’t hurt that the scene’s strong right now.

Boak said K-AWAKE has been starting to gain recognition since they’ve been playing more shows. They’ve been together a little more than a year, and Homegrown did a fantastic job at plugging their New Year’s Eve show at Barleys.

Boak stressed that the show is doing an amazing thing for the scene, but as a side thought said he thought it would be great if they could feature a different band or artist every week.

“Get the bands’ input as well as the fans,” Boak said. “There are people we look up to in the scene that we want to hear as well.”

Jim DeCapua, front man for Jones for Revival, said Homegrown has featured two Jones songs, “Bottle of Booze” and “Sometimes.”

DeCapua said the biggest reaction they’ve gotten was from their fans. He said many of them listen every week, not only to hear Jones for Revival, but to check out other bands too.

“It’s a privilege for sure,” DeCapua said. “It’s definitely something a lot of musicians have been waiting for.”

DeCapua said he’s looking forward to them doing band interviews and live performances on-air. He said they also do a great job at plugging shows.

“I think they pretty much hit it on the dot,” DeCapua said.