By Danny Coleman
originally published: 01/02/2015
"Not only is Sam Cooke's music catchy, popular and beloved, it's groundbreaking in terms of importance, inspiring change and in elevating social awareness. Sam's classic "A Change Is Gonna Come," although inspired specifically about civil rights, can easily be applied in spirit to any cause or issue facing people. People struggling and hoping for that overdue change. In the context of Candlelight Concerts, that would be epilepsy," says Candlelight Concert for Epilepsy Awareness founder Eric Miller in preparation for the next installment of this ever growing popular series of shows. Miller suffered a loss when his young wife Carolina tragically passed away from an epileptic seizure in her 20's. Since then he has made it his mission to draw awareness to this condition which affects one in every ten people.
Eric has assembled an all star cast for this latest event which features Gary U.S. Bonds, Living Colour's Corey Glover, Labelle's Sarah Dash, Jeffrey Gaines, the Push Stars Chris Trapper and others performing "An All Star Tribute to Sam Cooke" at 7 p.m. January 10 at The Trinity United Methodist Church located at 1985 Pennington Road in Ewing, NJ.
Miller didn't just stop at the performers; he has also recruited a top notch "House band" under the direction of Living Colour bassist extraordinaire Doug Wimbish to compliment the array of vocal talent. "We've got this," chuckled Wimbish. "Eric, well, I like what he's doing; he comes with a passion born of his wife's passing. I tip my hat to him and his passion, it is selfless. I was here earlier this past year with Living Colour and I loved doing this! I feel blessed and I send blessings to Eric for what he's doing to change peoples lives and I am honored to be part of it. Eric has put together this great line up and the band is just incredible. We have Paul Pesco who plays guitar on "Live from Daryl's House" and tours with Madonna and Alicia Keys. We have Calvin Weston on drums and David Dzubinski out of Philly on keyboards and a local guy named Danny Coleman on percussion; we are going to stay as true to the song catalog of Sam Cooke as possible. There will be some variations but I don't want to give too much away."
With a cast which also includes Carsie Blanton, Lili Anel and Danielia Cotton; Miller had the unenviable task of putting together a soundtrack fitting the various styles and vocal ranges that he has assembled. "In coordinating the singer-song choices and setlist, I was struck by how many performances could easily steal the show! Chris Trapper is doing You Send Me, Carsie Blanton is doing Cupid, Gary is doing this, Sarah Dash is doing that. Jeffrey Gaines, Danielia Cotton, Lili Anel, every one is poised to blow the roof off. I mean, Corey Glover singing Sam Cooke songs in a church, where else would you be??"
The performers are excited as well and to a person are honored to have been asked to be part of this tribute to the legend that is Sam Cooke. One of those is former Candlelight Concert headliner, Carsie Blanton. "Sam Cooke was one of the best singers of all time, and an insightful and heartbreaking songwriter as well. He had a totally disarming, divine, deeply pleasurable voice, and could have gotten away with being a pop singer. Instead, his voice became a harbinger of change, and a powerful force in the civil rights movement. "A Change is Gonna Come" is one of the most stunning and chilling songs of that movement. I have the utmost respect for him as a singer and a writer, and I'm so glad for the opportunity to pay homage to him."
A very special performer at this event is a former touring partner of Cooke's; Gary U.S. Bonds. Bonds who admits that Cooke stimulated his career by literally "Knocking some sense" into him when he was a nineteen year old emerging talent, is a perfect compliment to the evening. "Gary is classic American history," says Wimbish. "He made his mark, like Sam, at a key time. The fact that he's still around says volumes about his ability and talent. U.S. Bonds is responsible for classic rock 'n' roll, it's ageless. "Quarter to Three," "New Orleans," come on these are classics and his collaborations with Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt and him being able to be a part of this just brings things full circle. I grew up listening to him and in my opinion we couldn't have a better artist to pay tribute to Sam."
Cooke's contributions and presence during a very tumultuous time in our country's racial history had a profound impact on many including Wimbish. "I could go on and on. He has so many classics and this show just scratches the surface really. Sam Cooke came along during the beginning of the civil rights movement and as a black artist owned his own club, a record label and being an African-American in that era he made people dance and come together. I am honored to be the musical director for this; he was a great artist who died tragically and too soon."
The tribute, which Wimbish says will include at least 22 different songs sung individually and as duets is special in several ways. "After Living Colour appeared here in April, Eric pulled me aside and asked me to get more involved. I was more than willing to do so and he assembled these great guests. Listening to all of these great Sam Cooke songs, which are woven into so much modern music brought me back to my childhood. Sam's DNA is in my musical system for sure."
Tickets for this all star affair can be purchased for $40 in advance by going to www.candlelightconcert.org or $45 the day of the show.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
Amalfi's Restaurant
146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Fri./Sat. 8:30 p.m. (TBA)
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Scott Cager & Debbie
Fri. 8 p.m. Rick & Kenny
Sat. 8 p.m. Meg Hanson Band feat. Billy Hill
Wed. 7:30 p.m. DJ John Rossi
Big Shots Bar and Grill/Hebe Music Lounge
835 E Rte. 130 South, Burlington
(609) 267-1200
Fri. 8 p.m. Z88.9's Backstage Kickoff Party
Sat. 8 p.m. Jack and Our Now, Danielle and Jennifer, One Punch Mickey, Treetop Casino
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic. feat. Nicole Fahs
Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Burn The Empire, Mindless Flesh, Mortanius, Buried In The Walls. All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. Emergency Protocol, S.O.L., Keys To the Cadillac, Episode Earth, Between The Vertebrae, Gordon's Alley. All ages, $10
Wed. 8 p.m. WU-Wednesday. Ages 21+, $5
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Andre Mutherson Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995
Fri. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Dog & Bull Brew House
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Sun. 3 p.m. Dick Gratton
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 10 p.m. Beat The Clock DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8 p.m. "Damn The Torpedos" Tom Petty Tribute. Doors at 6 p.m., $15
Sat. 8:30 p.m. FM
Sun. 2 p.m. Midnight Sun Orchestra
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. F2 and The Anchovy Brothers
Sat. 10 p.m. The Ernie White Band
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. All Day brunch and Pajama Party
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
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 and The Black Belts
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Lisa Bouchelle & Joe D'Angelo
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. The Hamiltones
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Crosswick
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. CLOSED
Fri. (TBA)
Sat. (TBA)
All Shows 21+
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Out of The Red
Sat. 9 p.m. Sneak Attack
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. Open 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Copacetic
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The Millhill Basement
300 South Broad St Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Check web page for upcoming shows.
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. Ricky Byrd / Janet Labelle. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
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. Rick Winow
Sat. 9 p.m. Bill Shannon
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Kathy DeAngelo & Dennis Gormley
Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Wiese
All shows 21+
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: (Closed)
Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday Presents: "Young at heArt" a Watercolor Exhibit by Nonagenarian Stephen M. Marusky
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Something Shiny. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Ronny. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night
Tues. 9 p.m. Acoustic Bengal Gold
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
About the author:
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.
Joe Russo's Almost Dead
Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJJoe Russo's Almost Dead is Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz, Tom Hamilton, Scott Metzger and Joe Russo. We're a Grateful Dead cover band.
Mccarter At The Museum: An Evening With Jason Robert Brown
Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Princeton Art Museum
45 Elm Drive, Princeton, NJJoin us for McCarter at the Museum - renowned performing artists in one-night only events at the Princeton University Art Museum.
Jason Robert Brown is a four-time Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World, 13, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon In Vegas and The Connector, has performed as a soloist or with his band in venues around the world, including sold-out shows at the London Palladium and Carnegie Hall. His albums as a singer-songwriter include Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes and How We React and How We Recover on Ghostlight, and Coming From Inside the House and Live In Concert with Stephen Sondheim on Concord.
With Special Guest Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe. Tony Award-nominated actress Betsy Wolfe is currently starring as Audrey in the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, following her recent Broadway run as Madeline Ashton in the hit musical Death Becomes Her. She previously originated the title role in Joy, the new musical inspired by inventor Joy Mangano, and earned a 2023 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her celebrated performance as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet. Other Broadway credits include starring as Jenna in Waitress, Cordelia in the acclaimed revival of Falsettos, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Everyday Rapture, and 110 in the Shade, as well as her critically acclaimed performance as Cathy in the Off-Broadway revival of The Last Five Years. Wolfe made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Die Fledermaus and has appeared as a guest artist with more than 65 symphony, pops, and philharmonic orchestras worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra, with performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her screen credits include First One In, Estella Scrooge, CBS’s Instinct, and the film adaptation of The Last Five Years. Wolfe is also the co-founder of BroadwayEvolved, the acclaimed musical theatre training program she launched in 2018 to train and mentor the next generation of theatre artists.
A limited number of early access tickets for McCarter Director’s Circle members and members of the Museum’s Partner Circle are available, on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM. General public on sale begins Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Please be aware there is no public drop-off or parking at the Museum. For visitors with mobility needs, please contact the Museum at least three business days in advance of your visit to request special access to the Museum via Elm Drive. Call 609-258-3788 and select option 1 to speak to a visitor services staff member, or email Louise Barrett at [email protected].
John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJThe legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock’n’roll group JOHN CAFFERTY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the “Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack”. The hit single “ON THE DARK SIDE” held the “#1” position on the Billboard Rock charts and the MTV video charts for five consecutive weeks.
Griffin House
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ“If you are looking to be blown away by raw talent, then look no further than Griffin House.” —American Songwriter
Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music Of Pink Floyd
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJFLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.
EVENT PREVIEWS
State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band was formed in Brooklyn, NY in 2013. While they are a Grateful Dead cover band, they are known more for interpreting songs by the Dead rather than attempting to replicate the band's work.
NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell
(NEWARK, NJ) -- With a voice that can fill a concert hall and make every listener feel personally embraced, Gregory Porter has become one of the most beloved artists in contemporary jazz. On Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm, the two-time GRAMMY® winner returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell for an evening of soulful expression, exquisite storytelling and remarkable vocal artistry, presented as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:30pm. Griffin House is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller who has been making records for over 20 years.
KANSAS to perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- One of classic rock's most iconic bands, KANSAS, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. A limited number of tickets remain.
NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.
Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition. The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.
Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell
(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither
(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.
