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

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 12/24/2015

Born in "South Jersey," Doreen Taylor has expanded far beyond the Philadelphia, PA skyline that is only a stone's throw from her suburban roots. A performer since childhood; Taylor has parlayed her passion for music and entertainment into a career which continues to blossom with each passing season. 

"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

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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 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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