ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...7/31/14

By Danny Coleman
originally published: 07/31/2014

Speaking with country music star Chris Cagle, one gets the impression that he is a man at ease; a man living life on his terms and a man playing his music the same way. This Friday August 1, Cagle and his band will be performing at the Newton Theater, located at 234 Spring Street in Newton, NJ.
Born in Louisiana and raised, as his web site reads "all over," Cagle has garnered gold and multiple number one albums as well as had a plethora of songs make it to the music charts. "Play It Loud," his debut CD in 2001 was the first of three discs in five years which had him well on his way to country music stardom. However, just as it seemed there was no stopping his momentum, Cagle withdrew from the music business and if you ask him, he does place the emphasis on business. "I left because the corporate end of things is tough. It's not for talent it's more for business. They make you and your music into what they want you to be and not what you want to be."
Taking time from the business before putting out 2008's "My Life's Been a Country Song," Chris once again tired of the corporate end and stepped back. " I quit again because they said that they'd let me do things, do it the way I wanted to; when they started screwin' with it I just quit it again. The bigger picture, well, it's like this, Nashville; ok I started having discrepancies and the record company started messin' with me. Zac Brown left this label, then I left and to be honest with you, I don't even know if the label is still around; it may have shut down."
A label released greatest hits compilation in 2010 was the last dealings with his former "employer" and Chris began a new chapter in his life; that of fatherhood. Even as we talked on the phone his role of daddy came through loud and clear as a toothbrush became a bone of contention between his two children. "Sorry 'bout that," he said as he continued to referee the brief discussion amongst his children, "One will lie and the other will swear it's true," he chuckled.
The role of family man and past struggles with the industry have seemingly placed Cagle, oddly enough, in a better place. Appearing to be very comfortable with life on his ranch, his life is not only a country song but could probably be taken directly from any country video as well. "I live on a ranch in Oklahoma, and oh shoot, it keeps me sane. I love being out here, it's just inspiring. I can sit out on my tractor and easily come up with about fifty songs; sometimes they come so fast it's like arrows in the head, I may only use two of the fifty but the ideas just come. I am inspired by all types of things and I listen to all types of music. I mean seriously, I love country but I also love rock music. I listen to Rush, Foreigner, Charlie Daniels and even John Denver; which I am sure my wife will make fun of me for (laughing) but when her and I go out on what we call a "Duely Date," that's when we take my truck out and hit the dirt and gravel roads and we just let it go; we listen to stuff that gets your blood pumpin'. The other night I opened for Bad Co. at a state fair and we were hanging out on their tour bus having a blast; they asked me to join them on stage and I sang "Movin' On," "Ready For Love" and "Feel Like Makin' Love," it was fun. Yeah, I like things, I like music that is more alive; it motivates me."
"Back In The Saddle," Cagle's latest, was released in 2012 but the man who makes his own rules isn't concerned about touring to support it or a possible new disc as he claims that he is on tour eleven months out of each calendar year whether he has new music or not. "When I released "Back In The Saddle," it was very, I don't know," he stated as he gathered his thoughts. "Since my debut, that disc just felt like it was more me than anything; that was my own. Corporate music is run by gang men who try to push you in ways that you don't want to go; so this was very special to me. We never really take a break; we tour until the end of November take the next month off and start all over again. I'm working on a new CD now. I don't want to say much about it because it's hard. Sometimes songs we'll talk about now don't make the record when it's done later but I am excited because I have nobody telling me what to do. This record is all about the music and the fans and if it feels right, I may try a few at the Newton show."
So it appears that Cagle has found the perfect balance of music and family as he is able to buck the traditional industry path. Where does he see himself a little further down the road? "Hopefully sitting on the back deck of a double wide, watching my kids in the yard," he laughed confidently. "As I said, it's not for talent, it's all about what they want you to be. I know I may sound it but I'm not bitter, really I'm not; I love to sing and I enjoy it. I just refuse to lay awake at night hoping that Nashville lets me in. Everything I do now is for the fans and for me, without them there's no need, so it's all about the fans and the music."
Cagle's tour schedule has him crisscrossing the country; making stops in Newton on Friday and Michigan on Saturday. He then goes out to Utah, Nebraska, Idaho, Wyoming and to Illinois before heading to Arizona.
To catch up with Chris Cagle, visit his web site at www.chriscagle.com .
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!

THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS

Alchemist & Barrister

28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Barley Harvest

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Sun. 9 p.m. Princeton Area Bluegrass Jam

Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Hosted by Eric Puliti

All shows 21+
Amarones Windsor Inn

29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Scott Gager & Debbie

Fri. 8 p.m. The Blue Moons

Sat. 8 p.m. Robert Bruce

Tues. 7:30 p.m. Texas Hold'em

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Wed. 7 p.m. FREE Salsa Lessons
Big Shots Bar and Grill/Hebe Music Lounge

835 E Rte. 130 South, Burlington

(609) 267-1200
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic.
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612

Sat. 3 p.m. Judy Brady Quartet (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995

Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton

The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton

(609) 394-743
Fri. 7 p.m. Aim Down Site, Primatives, Fatal Verdict, Shitty Wedding Band, (TBA). All ages, $8/$10

Sat. 4 p.m. Outline In Color, Indirections, Sycamore, Vanities, Liars & Legends, Premonitions, Transcends, Bloodline. All ages

Sun. 4 p.m. Swashbuckle, WE...Our War, Triggered Impulse, Frost Giant, Burial Mound, One With Nothing, Valacar, Mortanius. All ages, $10

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Mon. 5 p.m. Primer 55, We...Our War, Dock Ellis, Failing Light, Dreams of Demise, (TBA). All ages, $10/$12
Chickie's & Pete's

183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown

(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sun. 4 p.m.Billy O'neal

Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Fran's Pub

116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.

(215)862-5539
Thurs. 9 p.m. Draggin' It to Main Street

Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Night

Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam hosted by Jimmy Pritchard

All shows 21+
Halo Pub

4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton

(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Sofia Nicle w/ Megan Fever
Halo Pub

9 Hullfish St. Princeton

(609) 921-1710
Sat. 6 p.m. (TBA)
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897

Thurs. 7 p.m. WMGK House Band Competition

Fri. 8 p.m. A Tribute To The Rolling Stones feat., The Jesse Lundy Band, Midnight Singers, Brown Sugar. Doors at 6 p.m., $10

Sat. 8 p.m. Love Canon

Sun. (2 p.m.) Midnight Sun Orchestra (7 p.m.) JB Kline

Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridge

Wed. 8 p.m. Local & Original Series 2014 feat. Colorado Youth

All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. The Ernie White Band

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Sat. 10 p.m. Blind Lemmon Pie
All shows 21+

John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981

Thurs. 10 p.m. Moot Davis

Fri. 9 p.m. Ammunition, St. James & The Apostles, Satellite Hearts

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Corkscrew

Sun. (3 p.m.) The Paul Gargiulo Band (9:30 p.m.) Chris Rattie's Acoustic Rumble

Mon. Open Mic. w/ Tim

Wed. The Invitational (Featuring John & Peter's House Band)
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern

2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton

(609) 586-2678
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Paint the Roses Tea and Café Restaurante

37 W. Broad St. Hopewell

(609) 466-8200
Sat. 11 a.m. Bryan Hill
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979

Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing

1339 River Rd. Titusville

(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Sensei Juan & The Black Belts

Sat. 7:30 p.m. Kevin Toft and The All Stars
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008

Fri. 9:30 p.m. Phaze Band

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Radio Fiction
RHO Waterfront

50 Riverview Plaza Trenton

(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Jeff Scott

Fri. (5 p.m.) Gypsymother Mother. $10 Buffet (9 p.m.) The Musicology Band (10:30 p.m.) DJ Jimmie Palumbo

Sat. 9 p.m. The Tiki Time (Luau Themed Dance Party)

All Shows 21+
Spigola Ristorante

3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Rd. Hamilton

(609) 585-5255
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Tony Malandro
Sunsets at Cream Ridge

181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge

(609) 208-2500
Fri. 6 p.m. John Patrick

Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345

Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Night

Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket

216 4th St. Fieldsboro

(609) 291-9110
Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. School of Rock Performances
The Man Cave

134 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown

(609) 424-3766
Sat. 8 p.m. Jet Weston & The Isotope Two. Doors at 7:30 p.m., $5, BYOB
The Ivy Inn

248 Nassau St. Princeton

(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr

Fri. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong

Sat. 10 p.m. Seth Tieger Band

Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv

Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Kevin Toft and The All Stars

All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check web site for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554

Fri. 9 p.m. Tommy Glover

Sat. 9 p.m. Jerry Monk & Paul Plumeri

Sun. Irish Sessions w/ Bob Glennan

Wed. 9 p.m. Tommy Glover

All shows 21+
Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton

(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: Richard's Wedding

Fri. 10 p.m. Friday night w/ Jay Kountree & Jaxx

Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree

Tues. 9 p.m. LiveMusic/Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300

Fri. (5 p.m.) Dylan Jakobsen (10 p.m.) Up The Chain. $5 (cover charge)

Sat. 10 p.m. The Alchemystics. $5 (cover charge)

Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night

Tues. 9 p.m. Rosco Bandana

Wed. 9 p.m. Paleface

All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn

2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington

Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke

All shows 21+

About the author:

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Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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