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Dave Vargo and Sahara Moon To Take Part In First "Not Quite Nashville" Song Swap On Saturday, January 30

By Gary Wien

originally published: 01/28/2021


Dave Vargo has been running a weekly show online called 2forTuesday for most of the last year.  The show involves Dave or another singer-songwriter popping online and performing a pair of songs Tuesdays at 7:30pm (EST).  He's launching a new show on Saturday, January 30 at 8:00pm.  Entitled, "Not Quite Nashville," which will try to virtually recreate the atmosphere and interaction of a Nashville song swap.

Each show will involve two songwriters take turns performing their songs, talking about their inspirations, telling a story or two, and maybe having some musical interplay. The first show will feature Dave Vargo and Sahara Moon. Tickets are $7.99. Click here for the Facebook event page.

"I have participated in a bunch of songs swaps both in Nashville and elsewhere," explained Vargo. "When it works well I love the interaction between the performers. When you have the right mix performers will talk to one another about how and why they write, what inspires them, stories about their experiences, etc. They will also participate in each song - maybe add some vocal harmony or a solo. That's what I miss most about many of the virtual shows that being aired. Including mine. I have been running 2forTuesday once a week for 44 consecutive weeks. I play 2 songs and then a guest hops on from their location and plays 2. But there is no way for us to interact together."

Vargo says he would love to see "Not Quite Nashville" become a regular event - either monthly or bi-monthly, but he's interested in seeing how the first show does.

"I already have a list of 40 plus songwriters from my 2forTuesday show that have some interest in participating," said Vargo. "I would look for someone who is a good songwriter, good performer, and has the ability to have conversations in a live format. They need to be comfortable being in the same room (socially distanced) with me to do the show."




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Artists interested in being considered for "Not Quite Nashville" should contact Vargo via email. 

A native of East Brunswick, NJ, Dave Vargo graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston with honors and went on to become a touring artist and session player. He has had the privilege of working with a number of notable talents including Whitney Houston, Phoebe Snow, Vonda Shepard, and Rupert Holmes. Dave currently performs solo, as part of an acoustic duo (Kim and Dave), and with the Dave Vargo Trio. He is also an active session player and songwriter. Dave’s debut album, Burning Through, was released in October 2016. His new album, Spaces in Between, came out on September 13, 2019.

For more on David Vargo, check out this feature article by NJ Stage published in December 2019.

About the author:

Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at [email protected].




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30, 2026 at 8:00pm (doors at 7:00pm). The concert will take place at the First Congregational Church (40 South Fullerton Avenue) in Montclair.

CarteretPAC presents John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

(CARTERET, NJ) -- The Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. The legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock band began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the "Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack".

Outpost in the Burbs Presents Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips in Benefit Concert for Toni's Kitchen on November 21st

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs will present an extraordinary evening of music featuring singer-songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. The special concert will serve as a fundraiser in support of Toni's Kitchen, the Montclair based nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity and related challenges in Essex County and beyond. Showtime is 8:00pm.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


Vitamin String Quartet & Girl Named Tom: The Crazy Ordinary World Tour

Thursday, October 15, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


Viaje Tropical

Friday, October 16, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ


Curtis Salgado - The Original Blues Brother

Friday, October 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Denise Miller & Son And Friends

Saturday, October 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Tusk

Saturday, October 17, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ



 

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