New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

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."




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



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.



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. He can be contacted at gary@newjerseystage.com.



Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info


FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Straight

Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90’s Part 2

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Frisson

Frisson Winds

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Three

Three American Troubadours: A Tribute to James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Carole King

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Motor

Motor City Revue

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: music


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info





 

EVENT PREVIEWS

All-Bluegrass,

All-Bluegrass, All Night: Live at Albert Hall on July 12th

​​​​​​​(WARETOWN, NJ) -- On Saturday, July 12, 2025, Albert Music Hall will present an evening dedicated entirely to Bluegrass music. The event begins at 6:00pm and features six live performances, each offering a 30-minute set, showcasing both new and returning acts.



Jazz

Jazz Concert at Trenton City Museum will Feature the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum will present a free jazz concert Friday, July 18, 2025 at the museum's Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park. Featuring world-renowned vibraphonist Joe Baione, the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience is the first group to perform in a series of jazz events leading up to the museum's 2026 TRENTON MAKES JAZZ exhibition, in collaboration with the City of Trenton.



The

The Newton Theatre presents Tonight's the Night - a tribute to Rod Stewart

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Tonight's the Night - a tribute band that celebrates the music of Rod Stewart - will perform at The Newton Theatre on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 8:00pm.



Hoboken's

Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Local events organizer, Geri Fallo, who retired last year, is inviting you to celebrate with her, as she embraces new and exciting endeavors. Come enjoy a free evening of music in Hoboken's Sinatra Park (525 Sinatra Drive) on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The evening is presented by Mayor Ravi Bhalla, The Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs, and Geri Fallo. The event is free, and music starts at 6:30pm. Come early for the best seating.



An

An Interview with Dan Kurtz of The New Deal

Formed in 1999, Toronto, Canada based trio The New Deal, is a pioneer in jam-based electronic music. The group was founded by remaining members Dan Kurtz (bass) and Jamie Shields (keys), along with Darren Shearer (drums) who left tND in 2011. Since its inception, tND has remained committed to its improvisational roots and has served as a model for other jamtronica bands bridging the gap between multiple music genres as well as the border between Canada and the United States.