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Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Half Bad" by Dave Vargo

By Bob Makin

originally published: 08/06/2021


Asbury Park singer-songwriter Dave Vargo soon plans to follow his latest single, “Half Bad,” with another tease to his third album due in fall. That will follow the 2016 debut LP, “Burning Through,” and 2019’s “Spaces in Between.” 

In the meantime, folks everywhere should listen to the optimistic COVID era anthem, which is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. 

As the Song of the Week, “Half Bad” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. Aug. 6 on “Radio Jersey” at www.ThePenguinRocks.com and anytime at this permanent link and here.

You also can check out Dave during his weekly 2forTuesday concerts, which he performs at 7 pm with a special guest on Facebook Live. His Aug. 10 guest is Bri & Matty. Other upcoming shows include Aug. 8, Wet Ticket Brewing, Rahway; Aug. 13, Palmer Square, Princeton; Aug. 15, Montclair Brewery; Aug. 17, 2forTuesday with Joanne Calabrese; Aug. 21, Pinelands Brewing, Little Egg Harbor; Aug. 24, 2forTuesday with The dt’s and Aug. 31 with Carol Crittenden. 

Dave also frequently plays for charities, especially those supported by Musicians on a Mission, where he is a board member. For more info, visit https://davevargomusic.com and follow him on Facebook @dvargomusic and Instagram @davevargomusic. 

PHOTO BY KENNY BIEBER  




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Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].

About the author:

New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.


EVENT PREVIEWS

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Good Damage to perform at House of Independents on July 15th

Good Damage to perform at House of Independents on July 15th

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey alt rock/pop-punk band Good Damage will return to the House of Independents on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 supporting American Vanity and Faded 2 Gray. This will be the band's third time playing the venue. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 8:00pm.
Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul to Headline Concert at ParkStage on July 17th

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(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul will headline a concert at ParkStage on Friday, July 17, 2026 that fans of Jersey music will love. The lineup includes Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Jake Clemons Band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Gary U.S. Bonds, and The Weeklings. Showtime is 4:00pm.
Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards

Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards

(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- The Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. The concert is presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners.
LoMotion Live Presents America at 250: A Celebration in Song to Benefit Elks Army of Hope

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(PARSIPPANY, NJ) -- LoMotion Live invites the community to an inspiring evening of music, storytelling, and patriotism with America at 250: A Celebration in Song, a special benefit cabaret on Friday, July 17, 2026 at the Parsippany Arts Center. Showtime is 7:30pm. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Elks Army of Hope, a charitable program dedicated to providing assistance to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families during times of need.

Grounds For Sculpture and Third Way Cultural Alliance to Present an Intimate Evening of Art and Music on July 18th

(HAMILTON, NJ) -- Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) and Third Way Cultural Alliance announce a special evening celebrating the power of creative freedom through music, art and conversation. "Creative Freedom: A Salon Experience featuring Marshall Allen, Salvador Jiménez-Flores and Jamaaladeen Tacuma," will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
DePue Brothers Band to Bring "Grassical" Music to Sewell

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(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes the DePue Brothers Band on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3:00pm. In a departure from the series' customary chamber music fare, the DePue Brothers Band has long coined their music with the term "grassical," the combination of bluegrass with jazz, blues, rock, folk, and classical.
New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan

New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan's Marie Rader Series Debut with "Life & Liberty" on July 22nd

(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- The Marie Rader Series will launch its 2026-27 season, entitled "Life & Liberty," with the New Jersey Symphony's Rowan University debut. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players featuring Rowan University Strings Faculty & Alumni will perform at Pfleeger Concert Hall. Showtime is 7:00pm.
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(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July

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(NEWARK, NJ) -- One of the biggest bands in the world, Shinedown, will be releasing their brand new studio album EI8HT on May 29, 2026 (via Atlantic Records) and released the new song "Outlaw." In addition, they announced their massive Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, taking the band to 11 countries across 54 dates, including local stops at Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, July 21st and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 23rd.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


Johnny Kasun’s Jim Croce Tribute

Friday, July 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
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Tuckerton, NJ


Streetlife Serenade - “The Billy Joel Experience”

Saturday, July 18, 2026 @ 7:30pm
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The Wag's Beatles Spectacular

Saturday, July 18, 2026 @ 7:30pm
The Vogel
Red Bank, NJ


Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon

Sunday, July 19, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Blues For Greeny The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 @ 7:30pm
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