By Gary Wien
originally published: 10/31/2007
It's kind of hard to believe but mainstream rock and rollers haven't been mainstream for quite some time - at least, not in New Jersey. The last few artists to break from the state are closer to eclectic than classic rock, something that represents the change on the radio dial as well. And in a state where cover bands still dominate the landscape, it's hard for artists like Joe Colledge to play the kind of rock and roll they grew up with, but that's not stopping him from trying.
Joe Colledge is a Philadelphia native who currently lives in Morristown, New Jersey. He was recently named New Jersey's "Best Male Vocalist" by readers of the Daily Record. Joe has been steadily playing in some of the best original clubs in the area and hopes to expand throughout the region as he tours in support of his second CD, Table For One.
His record has been getting lots of airplay on Internet radio stations and podcasts across the world. Ironically, the airplay largely started when a guy named Jersey Joe read about Colledge in the Daily Record and suggested he make his music available on the Podsafe Music Network. Colledge did and the next thing he knew he was becoming one of the most heavily played artists on the network. Even Adam Curry (formerly of MTV) who pretty much founded podcasting has played Colledge's music on his show. In addition, Jim Monaghan of WDHA has played Colledge on his "All Mixed Up Radio" show. Colledge says that it doesn't seem too many New Jersey stations will play local artists other than some of the college and NPR based radio stations. Still, he's hopeful that his type of music may be returning to the airwaves.
"Classic rock is coming back," says Joe Colledge. "When I write I don't try to pigeonhole myself into any one format. It's just whatever comes out and however I hear it in my head. That's how I produce it and record it."
The end result are songs that have the same timeless feel as those Colledge grew up listening to on rock and roll stations like WNEW, WMMR and WDHA. The songs are reminiscent of bands like the Counting Crows and Gin Blossoms with loose, fun, summer-inspired rock and roll.
Table For One is Colledge's second release but his first (Convent Station) was just a recording of demos done on an 8-track with Joe playing all of the instruments. For his latest CD, Colledge brought in top session players,
engineers and mixers to create a truly radio-friendly release.
The record was released over the summer on the indie label OMS Records. The CD is currently available on CD Baby, Amazon, and iTunes, as well as most other digital distributors through Big Fish Media, LLC.
Since Morristown isn't a location with many original venues, Colledge is largely looking at concentrating his live performances on three main areas - Hoboken, Asbury Park, and the Village. He's got shows coming up at Maxwell's and The Whiskey Bar in Hoboken and a date set in December for The Bitter End. He recently performed at M.E.A.N.Y. Fest 2007 in New York City and is hoping to do more festivals in the future as well.
"I love to write and record and hear a finished product of what just started off as an idea in my head," he said. "Then getting out there and performing for people and seeing the reaction and having people respond to the music. That's what makes it all worthwhile for me."
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].
John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 8:00pm
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Griffin House
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
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Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music Of Pink Floyd
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
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Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
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Jesse Cook
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
NJPAC - Victoria Theater
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EVENT PREVIEWS
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
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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.
Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30pm, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright takes the McCarter stage for one night only with the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia, a dynamic new collaborative ensemble created specifically for this concert.
