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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...12/25/14

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 12/25/2014

"It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas means a little bit more." .... Dr. Seuss via The Grinch.

Maybe it does, maybe it means a lot more. Perhaps it means the "15th Annual Ernie White Christmas Show" in Hamilton where approximately $200,000 has been raised to help the less fortunate. Maybe it's Cook Smith's "Winter Solstice Show" in Asbury Park where the food and monetary donations go directly to a local food bank. Maybe it's the amazing work of Holiday Express and other organizations such as Musicians on a Mission that means so much more to so many.


Maybe, just maybe, it's the continuous unselfishness of music communities all across our globe that embodies the spirit of giving as well as support for and love of our fellow man. No matter what the case; music brings people together. Different genres, styles, sounds nor geography stand in the way of the powers of unification made possible by music.


So while most of us are off over the next week, try and focus a bit on what we can do to support our local musicians, food banks, soup kitchens and shelters. Try not to get caught up in the "Retail" meaning of Christmas. Instead choose to remember those less fortunate and what one can do to help; there's no musical ability needed for that gig, it's strictly a solo performance.


Rock On Radio has a new home. Effective 12/28/14 the program will be broadcasting live from " A 40 Foot Hole Studio" (www.40footholestudio.com) at 10 p.m. EST. This move will allow the program to do full electric performances versus strictly acoustic as well as bring the show to you visually through a live video stream. Listeners can now interact via their laptops in four ways, audio, video and through a Facebook chat room. The program will also now have a live audience in attendance and all are encouraged to come on down and support the station and Rock On Radio for this free event! This Sunday, Point Pleasant, NJ solo artist Scott Brandt will be the first guest of the program in its new surroundings and we are very excited to have him.
There's a light holiday schedule this week in the area entertainment scene but the quality is never less than stellar.


I would like to personally wish all of those who make this space possible and the readers a very Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season! I thank you for your continued support and talents!


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That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!


THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS


Amalfi's Restaurant

146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville




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

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

Fri. 8 p.m. Lonnie Youngblood

Sat. 8 p.m. Sounds of The Street

Wed. 7:30 p.m. DJ John Rossi
Big Shots Bar and Grill/Hebe Music Lounge

835 E Rte. 130 South, Burlington

(609) 267-1200
No music scheduled until 2015
Blend Bar & Bistro

911 Highway 33, Hamilton

(609) 245-8887
Sat 9 p.m. ZQ Acoustic w/ Mike & Steve

Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. I Am The Trireme, Godless A.D., (TBA). All ages, $10




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Sat. 5 p.m. Who Killed Marilyn?, The Silverhounds, The Damn Long Hairs, Electric Puke, Zero Gear, A Crisis of Confidence, (TBA). All ages, $10
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612


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


Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
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
No music scheduled until 2015

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

Thurs. Closed for Christmas

Fri. 8:30 p.m. Bigg Romeo


Sat. 8 p.m. "Earth Wind and Fire Tribute" w/ Earth Wind and Fire Review. 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. 9 p.m. "New Year's Rockin' Eve" w/ Se7en Band (a.k.a Chris James Band). $10

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

Sat. 10 p.m. Polish Nannies
All shows 21+





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

Thurs. Bar is OPEN (no entertainment)

Fri. 9 p.m. Ben Vaughn Quintet w/ Cliff Hillis

Sat. (3 p.m.) Rev. B-Ill's Christmas Spectacularrrrrrr (9 p.m.) Bluebalz

Sun. (3 p.m.) Miss Pumpkin's Drag Show Benefit (9 p.m.) Sugar Burns

Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night

Tues. 9 p.m. Sage

Wed. 9 p.m. New Year's Eve Party w/ DJ aggrEschen
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. (TBA)

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


Fri. 9:30 p.m. That Acoustic 80's Band
RHO Waterfront


50 Riverview Plaza Trenton


(609) 393-7300
Fri. 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Free Buffet Customer Appreciation Party w/ DJ Frank Olivetti

Sat. 9 p.m. "Alsato Navideno" Hosted by Paul Perez w/ DJ Coqui, Freestyle Contest, Kombo Latino. $20

Wed. "New Year's Eve Gala" w/ DJ Bob-E-Luv. $50/$65


All Shows 21+


Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345

Fri. 9 p.m. Steve The Band

Sat. 9 p.m. Far Cry

Wed. (8 p.m.) Karaoke Night (10 p.m.) "New Year's Eve Party" feat. live music, 2 seatings, $25/$28
The Ivy Inn

248 Nassau St. Princeton

(609) 921-8555
Thurs. Closed

Sat. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong

Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
The HOB Tavern

146 Second Street

(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Wed. 9 p.m. New Year's Eve Party w/ DJ A3RO
The Millhill Basement

300 South Broad St Trenton

(609) 989-1600
Sat. 9 p.m. "My God Damn Birthday Party" feat. The Cryptkeeper 5, Brick Mower, GameDay Regulars, The Jukebox Romantics / DJ Streams of Whiskey w/ Jay Insult
The Record Collector

358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown

(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Uncle Floyd. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $18 (advance)

Sat. 8 p.m. Ben Vaughn Quintet / Cliff Hillis. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance)
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check web site for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554

Fri. 5 p.m. Bill Shannon

Sat. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson

All shows 21+
Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton

(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: (Closed)

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

Fri. 10 p.m. Alycat. ($5 cover charge)

Sat. 10 p.m. Mercer County Pour. ($5 cover charge)

Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night

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

Wed. 10 p.m. New Year's Eve feat. Pure Jerry. ($5 cover charge)

All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn


2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington


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



About the author:

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.


EVENT PREVIEWS

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Telegraph Quartet will return to perform for the Morris Museum's seventh annual Back Deck season. This outdoor concert series began during the pandemic, and The New York Times describes it as "Live Music Splendor in a Parking Lot." Showtime is 7:30pm.
Carteret PAC presents Jo Dee Messina

Carteret PAC presents Jo Dee Messina

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Chart-topping country music icon Jo Dee Messina will perform at The URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Friday, June 12, 2026. Messina is known for her powerful vocals and extensive catalog including nine number-one hits, 16 Top 40 songs, and awards and nominations from the ACM, CMA, AMA, Billboard, and the Grammys. Showtime is 8:000pm.
SOPAC to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg

SOPAC to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Friday, June 12, 2026 with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox — a venue-wide celebration from 5:00pm–11:00pm.
Trenton City Museum presents Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on June 12th

Trenton City Museum presents Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on June 12th

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum presents the concert Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 6:30pm. Versatile vocalists Tom Chiola and Pam Jorgensen, accompanied by the George Sinkler Trio, will delight audience members with selections from Broadway, Blues, Jazz, and more. Transformed into a stylish jazz café, the museum will also provide delicious food and beverages amid the art of the just-opened Ellarslie Open 43 exhibition. Doors will open at 6:00pm.
French Montana to Headline Grand Opening of Dream Live Performing Arts Center

French Montana to Headline Grand Opening of Dream Live Performing Arts Center

(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream will celebrate the region's opening World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco with the debut of its newest venue, the Dream Live Performing Arts Center, with a postgame concert by French Montana on June 13, 2026 at 9:00pm.
Sergio Mendes

Sergio Mendes' Wife, Gracinha Leporace, Brings His 'Best Band Ever' to New Jersey

Sixty years ago, Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (A&M Records) emerged as both a masterful artistic statement and a major commercial breakthrough album. The record helped introduce the sophisticated rhythms and cool elegance of Brazilian bossa nova and samba to a truly global audience, blending Brazilian musical traditions with American pop, jazz, and contemporary studio production and repertoire.
Marc Ribler & Friends to perform Paul McCartney birthday tribute "When I

Marc Ribler & Friends to perform Paul McCartney birthday tribute "When I'm 84" at Axelrod PAC

(DEAL, NJ) -- As a tribute to Sir Paul McCartney's upcoming 84th birthday in June, Jersey Shore musician Marc Ribler has put together an all-star lineup to perform "When I'm 84" at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026.

Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on June 18th

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. When it comes to songwriting, less is more, and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn, who’s spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop.

Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim Bring Award-Nominated Country Blues to Lizzie Rose Music Room on June 18th

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Award-nominated country blues duo Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim will bring their captivating blend of traditional country blues, folk, and Americana to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm.
The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers to Perform at Prudential Center

The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers to Perform at Prudential Center

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Genre-defying rock legends The Black Crowes bring their massive co-headlining Southern Hospitality Tour with modern rock's boundary-pushing powerhouse Whiskey Myers to Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 8:00pm.

 

MORE EVENTS

Click on the listing to bring up its webpage


Hamilton de Holanda Trio

Tuesday, June 09, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
Princeton, NJ


Sam Morrow Band

Tuesday, June 09, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


The Brandee Younger Trio

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
Princeton, NJ


Susan Werner

Thursday, June 11, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


The Sergio Mendes Band

Thursday, June 11, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ