By Danny Coleman
originally published: 09/25/2014

A little more than a year ago, I wrote a piece called "Red, White and Blues" which was centered around the perceived death or near death of blues music as a viable entity. In the piece, I interviewed blues musicians from the Jersey shore to Trenton and beyond and to a player, they all agreed that the genre is unappreciated, under credited and extremely tough to keep on people's minds.
"All rock 'n' roll music is blues based," a former band mate once said to me as we contemplated where our musical futures would take us. "It's based on the old delta blues and there is not one song in today's rock music that can claim otherwise," he continued on. I recall scoffing at him at the time, due in part to my love of progressive rock bands which I'd grown up a fan of. Seriously, how do Genesis and Yes fit that mold? Kansas?
Recently I was fortunate enough to spend an hour with Randy Bachman of The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive. Randy's eyes lit up when he discussed the bands who travelled to his hometown of Winnipeg in his native Canada. "The bands were varied," he told me. "We got blues, rock, country and so many great acts." Bachman rattled off name after name of the classic performers who have shaped generations of musicians and bands who visited; all blues based.
Lately, despite its critics, many of which are from within the blues community; I've noticed a resurgence of the art. Performers who have attempted to distance themselves from their roots have returned, either in full force or are revisiting their old styles. then there are those who never left, veteran Trenton area rockers such as Ernie White, Paul Plumeri and the timeless Joe Zook are still going strong. The names Chuck Lambert and Jody Joseph are synonymous with the blues along the Jersey shore and still packing them in clubs where they perform steady or frequent engagements. Matt O'Ree, who headlined the recent Colts Neck Rock Festival is a stellar performer and blues/rock guitarist who is frequently sought after for studio work. Matt held the crowd spellbound even before being joined by Michael Ghegan and Bon Jovi band mate David Bryan.
Bar owners and venues however, still seem reluctant to bring the blues back into their fold. Patrons and staff alike tend to cringe for reasons unknown when the words "blues band" are mentioned. The irony of which, is that many of these same people also think that Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote "Call Me The Breeze." "Oh man, a blues band? This should be a long depressing night," was overheard chatter between two bar tenders at one venue. "I hope these guys rock a little, I mean it is the blues," was another.
These same detractors fail to realize that the classic rock cover bands which they love to go see are doing blues music all night. ZZ Top, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Joe Walsh, Rolling Stones, Allman Brothers, Beatles and Lynyrd Skynyrd are all rooted firmly in the blues.
Simple truth is, my band mate was right. Rock, rock 'n' roll and beyond has roots deeper than what's seen on the surface. The interpretations of material which arose from the deep south and delta regions of this country have been grasped upon by generations of musicians who have made "public domain" their own. A recent sold out Bordentown City performance by James Cotton, one of the greatest blues harp players of all time; further shows the power of the blues.
So, the next time you're humming along or watching your favorite band, try and remember from whence it came and give a nod to those who made it possible.

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

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

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28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Paul Plumeri Band

Sun. 9 p.m. Kenny Cunningham

Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night

All shows 21+
Amalfi's Restaurant

146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville

(609) 912-1599
Sat. 8:30 p.m.(TBA)
Amarones Windsor Inn

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29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Scott Gager & Debbie

Fri. 8 p.m. Lonnie Youngblood

Sat. 8 p.m. Tony Malandro

Tues. 7:30 p.m. Texas Hold'em

Wed. 7 p.m. FREE Salsa Lessons
Big Shots Bar and Grill/Hebe Music Lounge

835 E Rte. 130 South, Burlington

(609) 267-1200
Thurs. 8 p.m. A Thousand Days (Video Shoot Party)

Fri. 7 p.m. Heroes In Error, ELI, Memories of March

Sat. 7 p.m. Vital Stats, Mantic, Our Feathered Friends

Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic.
Blend Bar & Bistro

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

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911 Highway 33, Hamilton

(609) 245-8887
Fri. 8 p.m. Sharon Lia Band

Sat. 9 p.m. Mike & Steve

Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612

Sat. 3 p.m. James Stewart Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995

Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton

The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Know Your Enemy, The Illusionist, Demo Team, They Call Us Death, Isolation. All ages, $8/$10

Sat. 5 p.m. Suspect, Government of Sheep, RISK, No Left Turn, Jump For The Sails, Tie Goes To the Runner. All ages, $8/$10
Chickie's & Pete's

183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown

(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sun. 4 p.m.Billy O'neal

Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen

Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night
Fran's Pub

116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.

(215)862-5539
Thurs. Drag Show

Fri. 8 p.m. Under A Ton

Sat. 7 p.m. Slim Chance & The Gamblers

Sun. 3 p.m. Billy Walton Band

Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam hosted by Jimmy Pritchard

All shows 21+
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897

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

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Thurs. Beat the Clock College Night DJ Dance Party

Fri. 8 p.m. The "Original" Asia w/ opening act Sammy Flow. Doors at 6 p.m., $75 (general admission)

Sat. 8 p.m. Lez Zeppelin. Ages 21+, doors at 6 p.m., $25

Sun. 6 p.m. JB Kline Band

Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke in the Bar w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridget

Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran and Friends

All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. Gunsmoke

Sat. 10 p.m. Soul Custody
All shows 21+

John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981

Thurs. 9 p.m. Midwestern Exposure

Fri. 9 p.m. Ammunition

Sat. 9:30 p.m. John Beacher & The Common Ground

Sun. (3 p.m.) Miss Pumpkin's Drag Show Benefit for Poor Paws Rescue (9:30 p.m.) Weird Hot

Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Tim

Tues. 9 p.m. DJ Aggreschen

Wed. The Invitational (Featuring John & Peter's House Band)
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern

2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton

(609) 586-2678

Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979

Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing

1339 River Rd. Titusville

(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Bill & Joe of Two Man Trio

Sat. 7:30 p.m. Shawn Would
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008

Fri. 9:30 p.m. Ernie White & Tom Reock

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Mr. Lucky
RHO Waterfront

50 Riverview Plaza Trenton

(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night "Welcome Back Rider and TCNJ w/ DJ Jeff Scott

Fri. (4:30 p.m DJ Wes / Buffet (8:30 p.m.) Musicology

Sat. 9 p.m. Summer After Party w/ DJ Troopa Traloopa, DJ Suga and Selecta Bam Bam

All Shows 21+
Sunsets at Cream Ridge

181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge

(609) 208-2500
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Melanie & Sonny

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Tangled

Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345

Fri. 9 p.m. Far Cry

Sat. (3 p.m.) Pumptoberfest (9 p.m.) TBA

Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Ivy Inn

248 Nassau St. Princeton

(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr

Fri. 10 p.m. Jam Lab

Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Joey El

Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv

Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
The Record Collector

358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown

(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Ricky Byrd / Kasim Sultan. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $18 (advance)

Sat. 8 p.m. Jet Weston & His Atomic Ranch Hands. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Never Enough

Sat. 9 p.m. Fully Loaded

All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check web site for upcoming events
The Trellis Outdoor Bar & Patio

30 Rte. 156 Hamilton

(609) 581-6782
Fri. 8:30 p.m. F2 and The Anchovy Brothers
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554

Fri. 9 p.m. Birmingham 6

Sat. 9 p.m. Mike Brill

Tues. 9 p.m. Ian Patrick Gentles

All shows 21+
Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton

(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: "See You Next Tuesday"

Fri. 10 p.m. Friday night w/ Jay Kountree & Jaxx

Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300

Thurs. 10 p.m. The Fustics

Fri. 10 p.m. Izzy and The Catastrophics. $5 (cover charge)

Sat. (1 p.m.) Jake Hertzog (10 p.m.) Hot Day At The Zoo. $5 (cover charge)

Sun. (1 p.m.) Jake Hertzog (7 p.m.) Open Jam Night

Tues. 9 p.m. Acoustic Grateful Dead feat. members of Splintered Sunlight

All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn

2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington

Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke

All shows 21+

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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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