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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...12/24/15

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 12/24/2015

"My Christmas Wish," is her latest effort; a single with a corresponding video which she's chosen to release for various reasons at this point in her career. "I think it was the right step professionally to release it now," she explained. "Coming off the success of my my last video for my song "Toy," I thought that enough time had passed; I did it to remain relative. I wrote the song because I'm growing tired of hearing "Oh Holy Night" done and redone by everybody; there are so many different versions of that song and every other Christmas standard by so many artists and in so many genres that I wanted to be different. I wanted to write something about the Christmas time that I remember as a little girl growing up and the traditions that many families share and hopefully it strikes a chord with those who hear it."

Recently, Doreen was the chosen headline act at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ as part of a show honoring the late, Ben E. King. Here is where she performed "My Christmas Wish" for one of the first times in public. "I was very excited," she gushed as she elaborated on the passed event. "I had seen the poster right before the show and I realized that I was the headliner; I was like, Wow, that's an unexpected surprise! This was a great show, Holiday Express put it on in conjunction with the PAC and I was honored to do it. I got the gig through my radio promoter Jerry Lembo, a former VP at Columbia Records; he was instrumental with the success of "Toy" and he has pushed the Christmas song too."  

An avid supporter of multiple charities; Taylor tries to "Pay it forward" as often as possible and has done numerous fundraising events or advocated for St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Special Operation Warrior Foundation and The Boys and Girls Clubs of America just to name a few. The video for "My Christmas Wish" was shot at the "Boys and Girls Club of Camden County," not far from her home. 

Recently, Taylor has partnered with Bose and QVC where "My Christmas Wish" has been featured on the shopping network almost daily. "I've had a relationship with QVC and Bose for a while now," she stated with obvious excitement in her tone. "So when I decided to do the Christmas song, I contacted Bose and told them what I've got going and they moved on it fast. We had a contract signed and QVC was on board with it literally within what seemed like only a couple days, maybe less; QVC started with it right away. I wasn't even aware that they started using it until a fan posted on my fan page that I was heard as part of "Today's Special Value." I had just woken up for the day and saw that; it was definitely nice to wake up to!" 




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Between recording and shooting videos as well as performing, Taylor splits time between the east and west coast; where she finds herself equally as busy and time off is rare. When asked what the future held, she laughed as she discussed its certain uncertainty. "Take a day off maybe? I really don't know what that is anymore. I am planning on starting a new album in 2016, finishing it and then my dream is to go on the road. This past year, 2015 was surreal, I was the celebrity spokesperson for Failte Vodka, the newest celebrity face of Hades Footwear and then the video; it's been a great year. Things are popular for me right now, I wake up and I never know what's going to happen; it really is a great feeling." 

To discover more about Doreen Taylor, please go to www.doreentaylormusic.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
Sun. 9 p.m. Kenny Cunningham
Wed. 9 p.m. Spanky's Garage
All shows 21+
 
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
 
(609) 448-7144
Sat. 8 p.m. Larry D
 
Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam 
 
The Backstage at Championship Bar 
931 Chambers St. Trenton
Sat. 5 p.m. Dead Robins, The World's Afterparty, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sun. 5 p.m. Never Fall Silent, (TBA). All ages, $10
 
Candlelight Lounge 
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
 Sat. 3 p.m.  Carrie Jackson Quartet (No cover-$10 minimum)
 
Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night
 
Dog & Bull Brew House
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Brian Bortnick
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz  (3 p.m.) Wizard Duo
Mon. 8 p.m. Brian Cono
Tues. 8 p.m. Mark MacManus
Wed. 8 p.m. Paul Donavan
 
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Sun. 3 p.m. The Mojo Gypsies
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows 21+  
 
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa. 
(215) 862-9897
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Soul Custody. $7 (cover charge)
Sun. 6 p.m. JB Kline
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends
 
Hopewell Valley Vineyards
46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Sat. 6 p.m. The Jackalopes
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Sergio & Lars
 
Ivy Tavern 
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Sat. 10 p.m. "After Christmas party" w/ The Dawgs
All shows 21+
 
John & Peter's 
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 8 p.m. Christmas Eve w/ The Brooks Sisters
Fri. 9 p.m. "A Spitune Christmas" w/ Spitune
Sat. 9 p.m. Sinking Ship Reunion
Sun. (3 p.m.) Miss Pumpkin's Drag Show Benefit (9 p.m.) Collin J. Rocker
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Tues. 9 p.m. Snackpile
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
 
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
 
McStews Irish Sports Pub
5316 New Falls Rd Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Wed. 10 p.m. "Saturday Night Party" w/ Dueling DJs
 
Millhill Basement
300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Check web site for upcoming events
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Sat. 9:30 p.m. "Post Christmas Party" w/ The Drunk Monkeys
 
Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check web page for upcoming events

Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night 
 
The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
 Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
 
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
 
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. Uncle Floyd. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $18 (advance). 
 
The Sticky Wicket 
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Sat. 9 p.m. DJ Aero
 
The Sun National Bank Center 
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
 
Trenton Buzz
702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000
 Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Hek Cat
 
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
 
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Sat. 10 p.m. Skunkmello / "6th Annual Holiday Throwdown with VHS" ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
 
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock 
All sho
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.




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Following the resounding success and unforgettable energy experienced at the Kaseya Center, renowned producer, musician, and visionary Sergio George raises the bar once again, taking his Festival ¡Ataca Sergio! to the next level. This time, the concept returns as a birthday celebration set for Saturday, May 30, 2026 at the iconic Prudential Center in Newark. Showtime is 8:00pm.
South Jersey Jazz Society

South Jersey Jazz Society's Concert on the Beach with the PJ Keiter Octet Set for June 5th

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- For the fifth year, the South Jersey Jazz Society (SJJS) will "unofficially" kick off the summer beach concerts on the William Morrow Beach in Somers Point with music by the PJ Keiter Octet on Friday, June 5, 2026.

The Vogel presents Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: 25th Anniversary of "musicforthemorningafter"

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: 25th Anniversary of musicforthemorningafter on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 8:00pm. The New Jersey native celebrates the release of his debut album, which put him in the national spotlight.
Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on June 5th

Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on June 5th

(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band includes Matt Keating, Jason Mercer, Steve Mayone, and Greg Wieczorek. You could say they are a new band with old roots.
The Newton Theatre presents L.A. Guns on June 6th

The Newton Theatre presents L.A. Guns on June 6th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- L.A. Guns comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band has been rocking for roughly 40 years since establishing themselves as the undisputed sleaze kings of the Sunset Strip, and, eventually, the world.

Jazz Royalty Comes to the Hamilton Stage on June 6th

(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Saturday, June 6, 2026 marks the date when Jazz Royalty comes to Hamilton Stage with Dizzy Gillespie alumni and Grammy winning bassist John Lee in collaboration with 16-time Grammy winner Paquito D' Rivera.
The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" at Anderson Park

The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" at Anderson Park

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Anderson Park. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy an al fresco performance under the stars. Admission is free. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Boss Bash" featuring The B-Street Band

Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Boss Bash" featuring The B-Street Band

(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre will host its annual fundraising event, "The Boss Bash," on Saturday, June 6, 2026, featuring two electrifying performances by The B-Street Band — the longest-running and most requested tribute to Bruce Springsteen in the country.
Sinatra Celebration Concert To Swing in Ocean Grove This June

Sinatra Celebration Concert To Swing in Ocean Grove This June

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sinatra Celebration Concert, a theatrical special event to honor the legendary career of musical icon Frank Sinatra, is being presented by producer Karen Morris of Sand Castle Communications and The Rat Pack Music Alliance.
Broadcast Legend Sid Mark to be Remembered at Ocean Grove Event on June 7th

Broadcast Legend Sid Mark to be Remembered at Ocean Grove Event on June 7th

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sid Mark, the popular and iconic radio host, sadly passed away four years ago, on April 18th, 2022. Sid’s son Brian Mark, Executive Producer of Orange Productions' nationally syndicated radio program The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Mark, will be a very special host/guest speaker, at a musical event which will highlight the legacy of his father and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of The Sounds of Sinatra broadcast program.

 

MORE EVENTS

Click on the listing to bring up its webpage


Panama Dead - A Tribute to The New Riders of Purple Sage

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


The Beach Boys

Saturday, May 30, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


Michael Arnone's 33rd Annual Crawfish Fest (all day long from 11:30am on)

Saturday, May 30, 2026 @ 11:30am
Sussex County Fairgrounds
Augusta, NJ


Michael Arnone's 33rd Annual Crawfish Fest (11:30am - 6:30pm)

Sunday, May 31, 2026 @ 11:30am
Sussex County Fairgrounds
Augusta, NJ


Free Summer Event: MPAC Music Student of the Month Recital

Tuesday, June 02, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) - Vail Mansion Plaza
Morristown, NJ



 

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