By Chad Taylor
soundcheck@dmcityview.com

The good folks at KFMG were in a bit of a bind when “Iowa Homegrown” host Jeff Blanchard made it known that he needed to take some time off. General Manager Ron Sorenson put out a call for a volunteer to come in and host the Sunday afternoon show, and what he got back was something pretty cool. Rather than any one person taking over the hosting duties, Sorenson wound up with a rotation of nine volunteer DJs, and the list is a veritable who’s-who of the central Iowa scene. “Iowa Homegrown” volunteer DJs include: “Dirt Road Radio” host Brian Joens; Brian Holtz, of the Brian Holtz Band and longtime KFMG host Jillian Sonkson; singer/songwriter Rob Lumbard; the Nadas’ Jason Walsmith; Brother Trucker’s Andy Fleming; Iowa Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer Dan Nissly; The Poison Control Center’s Patrick Tape Fleming; Bella Soul’s Tina Haase Findlay and Brandon Findlay; and Jeff Blanchard of Mr. Baber’s Neighbors. “Iowa Homegrown” can be heard on KFMG every Sunday afternoon, from to 5 p.m.

Congratulations are due to Des Moines country act Randy Burke and the Prisoners. The band was named last week as one of the winners in an online contest held by www.Artistsignal.com. The group took home $25,000 for their efforts and plans to use the money to record an album at The Sonic Factory.

Simon Estes will be performing in conjunction with this year’s Passport to Prosperity event. Passport to Prosperity is the Iowa International Center’s annual celebration of the lives and contributions of immigrants and refugees to Iowa. This year’s event will be held at Drake University’s Olmstead Center on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 and include a reception, meal, entertainment and presentation. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available through ww.iowainternationalcenter.org.

Also, don’t forget about the Maximum Ames Festival, taking place in — you guessed it — Ames. The event runs from Thursday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 23 and features dozens of bands including The RiverMonks, Tires, Olsen Twinns, Trouble Lights, Diamonds for Eyes, Doctor Murdock, Scarlet Isis, Liana, Christopher the Conquered and more. For all the low-down on bands, locations and times, or to purchase tickets, check out www.maximumames.com.

Friday, Sept. 21 is the night to be down at the Vaudeville Mews. Love Songs for Lonely Monsters headlines a show starting at 10 p.m. The lineup will also include Viva Montesa, UUVVWWZ and Velcro Moxie. All you need to get in the door is $5.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, the House of Bricks hosts King of Tramps, The Young Funk and The Further Adjustments starting at 9:30 p.m. $5 at the door.

And on Monday, Sept. 24, Wooly’s features the Pick o’ the Week: Seminal British punk band The Vibrators come to town for an all-ages show that also includes 6000 Wings and the Bended Bow, N.G.D.S and Scarlet Isis and the Hooker Bodies. Show starts at 5 p.m., and tickets are $10. Mahalo. CV