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. February's special feature include a remembrance of Blue Sparks' C.T. Tucker on the 2nd, and a live Homegrown Music concert on the 8th. Further information on Homegrown Music may be obtained via the World Wide Web at http://homegrownmusic.info and http://www.wvia.org/radio/homegrown-music

Feb. 2 Blue Sparks: A Remembrance of C.T. Tucker. One of the most popular regional bands during the 1980s was Blue Sparks from Hell, who made many appearances on Homegrown Music. On January 19, Chris Hartshorne, better known as C.T. Tucker, Blue Sparks' charismatic front man succumbed to lymphoma. Tucker's stage antics were legendary, and his energy seemed boundless. Blue Sparks officially adjourned in 1990, but they would occasionally get back together for special events. One of those was the 2009 Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts in September. It turned out to be the band's second-last performance. They were in great form. And as a tribute to Tucker, Homegrown Music presents this performance, along with some Blue Sparks studio sessions from the program's archive.

C.T. Tucker (second from right, front row) with George Graham (center) and the members of Blue Sparks after their performance at the 2009 Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts

Feb. 8 A Homegrown Music Concert with JAY SMAR and HITCHIN' CRICKET. WVIA's unique live radio broadcast concert series continues with two folk-influenced performances.

Jay Smar at WVIA

Folk-singer and songwriter Jay Smar has been a regular on Homegrown Music for more than 20 years. Recently, he released a collection of music about coal mining in the region. He'll be performing some of those songs with other original and traditional music in a solo setting.

Hitchin' Cricket are band from around Forest City, PA, who combine rock, folk, and bluegrass influence and feature a flute. The group's principal members spent several years in Oregon, but returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania and restarted the band with new original material. They make their first Homegrown Music live concert appearance.

Hitchin' Cricket at WVIA

As usual, WVIA's listeners are invited to attend the two-hour concert, which will take place in the station's Sordoni Theater in the Public Broadcasting Center in Pittston, PA. Free audience reservations can be made at www.wvia.org or by phone at 570-655-2808. Note: Start time: 8:00 PM.

Feb. 9 Goodbye Girl Friday. A first-rate jazzy, keyboard-oriented group founded by former members of the nationally-known band Edison With the Weather. This 2003 session from the Homegrown Music archive spotlights their appealing and sophisticated original music. (Encore).

Feb. 16 Michael Dutz. Hazleton area singer-songwriter Michael Dutz makes his Homegrown Music debut with a collection of thoughtful and lyrically acute original music performed in a solo setting.

E.J. Oullette and Crazy Maggy at WVIA

Feb. 23 E.J. Oullette & Crazy Maggy. Violinist, singer and songwriter E.J. Oullette and his band serve up energetic music than runs from rock to Celtic. Adding a further bit of sonic interest to the group the presence of a sax, in addition to the violin. (Encore from 2008)

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