New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites....5/15


By Danny Coleman

originally published: 05/15/2014


Pete Donnelly, founding member of The Figgs, former member of NRBQ, touring member of Soul Asylum, Graham Parker and others is a tireless performer, producer and engineer. Past artists including G.Love, Carsie Blanton and Amos Lee have all used Pete's production skills.

A short time ago, Donnelly performed at an epilepsy awareness concert series; "Candlelight Concert for Epilepsy." Taking the stage at a church in Ewing, NJ as the opening act for former Live mainstay Ed Kowalczyk; Pete was very engaging and very much in tune with the capacity crowd of approximately 300 at this quickly growing concert series.

There are those who say that "One is never more naked than when in front of a room full of people with only an acoustic guitar between them and the audience," a statement that this writer feels is quite accurate. Donnelly seemed somewhat shy at first as he put his acoustic over his shoulder, a distinction which quickly dissipated as he launched into the opening of "Got Caught Up" off of his most recent release "Face The Bird."

Donnelly's set was a short eight songs, three of which were from the new disc and the rest offering a nice representation of the true uniqueness of this great artist. "Something Happened" was followed by "American Town" and then "There's Always Something to Talk About," which he delivered quite nicely to a now very appreciative crowd. One gets the feeling that he could sense the audience's pleasure by the smile that crept upon his face from time to time as he relayed several funny short anecdotes prior to slipping seamlessly into "All The World Will Fail."



Not even a slight audio glitch could derail the Pete train as he chugged through "Original Wonder" and the new tune "Toodle-Oo" an upbeat kind of punkish tune which was perfect for one man and an acoustic guitar.



Finishing up with "The Trench," Donnelly made a quick exit to well deserved applause only to surface in the hall where he manned his own merchandise table selling discs and vinyl albums of "Face The Bird." Although his availability was brief due to his tour schedule, Pete stayed for the maximum time he could and autographed as well as interacted nicely with his fan base both old and new.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage





"Face The Bird" was recorded in a vacant store front in a southern NJ shore town, a perfect setting for what Donnelly set out to accomplish; his inner most feelings. Recorded in a home studio atmosphere, he was able to revitalize his inner songwriter and turn in not only a very good musical compilation of thirteen tracks but some lyrical masterpieces as well.



Overall, Donnelly was very entertaining and playing solo acoustically seemed to suit him well as he put on a great show for an even greater cause.



To learn more about Pete Donnelly, please go to www.petedonnellymusic.com. To find out more about the Candlelight Concert for Epilepsy Series, please visit www.candlelightconcert.org .



This space welcomes any suggestions and/or comments. Please send them to: Rockonradio1460@hotmail.com




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage




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
Thurs. 10 p.m. Arnie Baird

Sun. 9 p.m. Lance Green Trio

Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Hosted by Eric Puliti

All shows 21+
Amalfi's Restaurant & Bar

146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd Lawrenciville

(609) 912-1599
Sat. 8 p.m. Mike Matisa & Karly Coleman w/ Matt Panfili
Amarones Windsor Inn

29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-714
Thurs. (6:30 p.m.)Pizza Night w/Scott Gager & Debbie (7:30 p.m.) Texas Hold'em




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



Fri. 8 p.m. Phaze

Sat. 8 p.m. Meg Hanson Band feat. Billy Hill

Tues. 7:30 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Big Shots Bar and Grill/Hebe Music Lounge

835 E Rte. 130 South, Burlington

(609) 267-1200
Fri. 8 p.m. Paint Box, A Thousand Days, Fromless Form

Sat. 8 p.m. Nobody Yet, Speak In Sounds

Wed. 8 p.m. Open Mic.

Blend

911 Rte. 33 Hamilton

(609) 245-8887
Fri. 5 p.m. Rich Schneider

Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke

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


Sat. 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Vince Ector 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

(609) 394-7437
Fri. 6 p.m. Dropping A Popped Locket, Wade Wilson, Lurch Lightning, Ray Strife, Potent da Rockstar, JJ Demon, Phat J, Nathan Ryan, Steez Click. All ages, $15.

Sat. 4 p.m. Broadside, Squid Brothers Inc., Cut The Act, As Your Ghost Takes Flight, Government of Sheep, The Bronson Special, Along The Way, Automatic 253, Risk. All ages, $8/$10

Sun. 10 p.m. Pickaxe, Pablo, (TBA). Ages 21+, $5
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sun. 4 p.m.Billy O'neal




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage




Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Fran's Pub

116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.

(215)862-5539


Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Night

Sat. 8 p.m. Sixty Sents

Sun. 3 p.m. Blue Reighn

Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam

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

Thurs. "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party

Fri. 8 p.m. Howie Day/Collide/Judith Owen w/ Leland Sklar. Doors at 6 p.m., $25


Sat. 7:30 p.m. David Uosikkinen / The Naturals Hosted by Pierre Robert of WMMR. Doors at 7 p.m., $35 (advance) $40 (day of show)

Sun. 3 p.m. Ladies 2000

Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridge

Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends

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

Sat. 10 p.m. Tangled
All shows 21+


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

Thurs. 9 p.m. The Matt Setzer Orchestra

Fri. 8 p.m. Eric Sommer

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Mike Montrey Band w/ The Williamsboy

Sun. 9:30 p.m. Weird Hot

Mon. Open Mic.

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
Millhill Basement

300 South Broad St. Trenton

(609) 989-1600
Fri. 9 p.m. "Mayo Es Impresionante" feat. Carlo Quinonez, Beverlymud, Gimmee Back My Sons. DJ Sets by DJ Cutlerly. Ages 21+, $5
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979


Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Out of The Red

All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing

1339 River Rd. Titusville

(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Astronaut Jones

Sat. 7:30 p.m. Blues In Disguise


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. F2 and The Anchovy Brothers.
RHO Waterfront


50 Riverview Plaza Trenton


(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Jeff Scott Gould

Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Matt & Rachel (8 p.m.) Eddie Testa Band (10 p.m.) DJ Jimmie Palumbo


All Shows 21+
Spigola Ristorante

3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Rd. Hamilton
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Acoustic Road

Sat. 8:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sunsets at Cream Ridge

181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge

(609) 208-2500
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Billy Simmons

Fri. (6 p.m.) Rob Silvers (9 p.m.) Tangled

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Melanie and Sonny

Mon. 7 p.m. Open Mic. and Karaoke w/ Rich Barry


Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345


Fri. 9 p.m. War Hammer

Sat. 9 p.m. Groove Pocket

Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket

216 4th St. Fieldsboro

(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Sat. 9 p.m. Polish Nannies
The Ivy Inn

248 Nassau St. Princeton

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

Fri. 10 p.m. Alright Alright

Sat. 10 p.m. Diablo Sandwich

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. Reach Around Rodeo Clowns / The Burliques. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)

Sat. 8 p.m. Richard Barone & Friends / Nalani & Sarina. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $25 (advance).
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. WE

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Deep Release

All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Thurs. 7 p.m. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Presents: Legends. Doors at 6 p.m., $12, $25, $45, $80

Fri. 10:30 a.m./7 p.m.Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Presents: Legends. Doors 9:30am/6 p.m., $12, $25, $45, $80

Sat. 11 a.m./3 p.m./7 p.m. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Presents: $12, $25, $45, $80

Sun. 12 p.m./4 p.m. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Presents: Legends. $12, $25, $45, $80
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554

Fri. 9 p.m. Tommy Glover

Sat. 9 p.m. Some Assembly Required

All shows 21+
Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton

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

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

Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree

Tues. 9 p.m. LiveMusic/Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300

Fri. 10 p.m. Christine Havrilla. $5 (coverage)

Sat. (1 p.m.) John Beacher & The Common Ground (10 p.m.)The Brummy Brothers $5 (cover charge)

Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night hosted by Something Shiny

All shows 21+
Villa Romanza

429 Rte. 156 Hamilton

(609) 585-1717
Sat. 8 p.m. "Honoring Mother's Day" Comedy Show feat. Julia Scott, Sandy Ehlers, Joan Weisblatt, Randi Lupo, Joan Syngonakis.
Wildflowers Inn


2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington


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

All shows 21+


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.

FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Candlelight

Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Damn

Damn The Torpedoes - The Music of Tom Petty

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

There,

There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead)

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Asbury Lanes
209 4th Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
category: music


 

Band

Band Infusion Musical Night by GG

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Annual

Annual Jazz, Health and Food Truck Festival 2025

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 11:00am
Monte Irvin Orange Park
S center and South Harrison Street, Orange, NJ 07050
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Lizzie

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 7:30pm. Griffin is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller. Touring and making records for over 20 years, House has a discography that includes over 13 albums.



Grammy

Grammy Award Winner Raphael Saadiq to Bring "No Bandwidth" Tour to NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready to experience an exceptional performance by Raphael Saadiq at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 8:00pm. This highly regarded one-person show, entitled "No Bandwidth," will highlight Saadiq's extraordinary talents through a compelling blend of storytelling and musicianship. Attendees can anticipate an unforgettable evening filled with artistic excellence.



Dave

Dave Koz brings his Summer Horns tour to MPAC in August

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Get set for a night of smooth summer jazz and funk with a touch of the sounds of the 1970s when Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) as part of his Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns 2025 tour on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 7:30pm.



A

A Chat with Jasper Smith of Straight No Chaser Which Brings its "Summer: The '90s Part 2" Tour to STNJ on July 16

Straight No Chaser is bringing its Summer: The '90s Part 2 Tour to State Theatre New Jersey on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The nine-member a cappella group originated in 1996 at Indiana University in Bloomington and has gone on to sell three million albums, earn two gold records, and amass over 1 billion streams on Pandora.



Centenary

Centenary Stage Company presents Yacht Rock Gold Experience

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's 2025 Summerfest Series continues with a one-night-only concert event featuring Yacht Rock Gold Experience on Saturday, July 26, 2025 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center at Centenary University. The band celebrates the soft rock and smooth sounds of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Showtime is 8:00pm.