"It started small, just a few musicians, it was a clothing drive and very small," said Ernie White as we spoke prior to this Sunday's 14th Annual edition of his now highly successful Christmas Show, taking place at The Princeton Manor Banquet Facility located at 661 Rte. 33 in Hamilton.
White, one of the more popular and definitely one of the most well respected musicians in Mercer County and beyond, assembles an amazing array of local talented bands and solo artists, along with a "Rock 'N' Roll Choir" and a full house band to spread holiday cheer all in the name of charity.
"Uh, it's hard to calculate exactly how many bands and musicians will show from year to year," said White. "This year we've got a 40 song set list plus my band will be a backing band for the solo artists, you know the people like Billy Hill who will once again be singing for us and the pit band led by Tommy Reock, we all know how amazing he is; I mean we rehearse at his place, he's my main partner in this. We have a full horn section and of course (laughing) the Rock 'N' Roll Choir. This year we have a diverse show, every style of music from funk to cover tunes revamped into Christmas songs, the full range of the Trenton area music scene will be represented."
Always a sell out, this event flies seemingly under the radar as does much of the benefit work that White does. Last year, for example, there was an approximate crowd of 500, something White hopes will continue and/or hopefully surpass this year. "We started, as I said, just as a small gathering, then our first bigger show was at The Conduit in Trenton. Then we moved over to what was then Katmandu and from there over to the War Memorial and now at Princeton Manor for the last couple of years. The War Memorial was more of a concert format, where you had seats. People began requesting the chance to talk, to mix and mingle; by having it in Princeton Manor, people can see the show up front and talk in the back."
Last year's show benefitted the NJ Sandy Relief charity headed up by our state's first lady Mary Pat Christie. The more than $16,000 dollars raised on this night earned Ernie an invite to Drumthwacket for a reception, where Mrs. Christie addressed those in attendance.
This year however, the recipient will once again be The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, where two years prior, White donated over $14,000 to the organization. "We've donated here a few times," said White as he lamented the work that the T.A.S.K performs. "Yeah, several times they've received the money. We figured after Sandy last year, we'd take it back home to Trenton. Dennis Micai does such a great job feeding so many people and we know he needs the help, so...." It should be noted that Ernie takes the check to T.A.S.K personally to see first hand the work that they do, and it motivates him to continue to do the great work that he does.
I'm told that this years show will have the same great regulars and a few surprises, bands and players such as Honey Spot Blvd., John Bushnell Band, Paul Plumeri and Joe Zook will be returning once again, along with newcomers The Gyrl Band and The Dadz to name a few. "I can't give it all away," said Ernie with a chuckle, "But there are so many different styles this year, jazz, there will be a few new younger guitarists and some new bands making their debuts at this show. There's going to be a guitar army, originals, instrumentals and even a reggae medley (laughing)."
All of this totals up to approximately 35-40 acts, each doing one holiday tune of their choice in what amounts to a human jukebox; as one act leaves the next takes over and so it goes over the course of this three hour program beginning at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the event are $25 for this all ages show and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets may be purchased at The Music Box, Princeton Manor, Cedar Gardens Pub or at any of Ernie White's band shows.
Hamilton native and great all around musician and songwriter, Moot Davis is coming home once again this year for the holidays with a 9 p.m. Saturday show planned at The Ye Olde Nottingham Tavern located on Mercer St. at its intersection with Nottingham Way in Hamilton Square.
Last I spoke with Davis he was a Nashville resident but that is no longer the case as he recently moved to Hollywood, Ca. where he's returned to acting as well as attempting to land his music in TV or film. "I'm living out here now, doing some acting and if I'm going to get songs to the industry for film or TV placement; this is the place to be, the industry is here."
With another CD in the works, this Jersey boy who plays a rockin' honky tonk and rock-a-billy style has no plans on resting. "Yes, we have another brand new album due for an April release," said Moot. "It's thirteen new songs recorded in Nashville, with the same New Jersey players that I tour with and it's called "Goin' In Hot." "My last album was mostly honky tonk with a few rockers thrown in, this one is the reverse, mostly rockers and a few of the other."
While home for the holidays, Davis and the band have a December 20 show booked at Top Dog Tavern in Cherry Hill, followed by the Nottingham Tavern gig, then it's back to L.A almost immediately after Christmas where he will be playing himself and his music in an episode of "Justified" as well as putting the CD together and the release parties that will follow. "I am hoping to have four release parties in the areas of the country where I've always gotten the best support; the east coast, Nashville, Texas and one in L.A. After that we are going to hit the road pretty hard starting in January of 2014 in advance of the new CD."
Davis and his band packed them in at "The Nott" last year and I expect this year to be no different for the return of this Mercerville musician. To see Moot's tour dates or to find out more about this local talent, please visit his web site at www.mootdavis.com .
Tonight at 8 p.m., Bob O brings his velvet throated crooning to Cedar Gardens Pub for his annual Christmas Show. Stop on out and support this very talented local singer.
Friday, DJ Chris Barlow is spinning "Jazz Jingles" and other holiday tunes at the Mastoris Lounge located inside the popular Bordentown eatery on Rtes. 206 and 130. Stop by and say hello to Chris and tell him that I sent you!
Finally, I'd like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday; as well as thank you all for your continued support of live, original music and this space. Please be safe and enjoy!
This space welcomes any suggestions and/or comments. Please send them to: Rockonradio1460@hotmail.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
Thurs. 10 p.m. Arnie Baird
Sun. 9 p.m. River's Bend
Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Hosted by Eric Puliti
All shows 21+
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Scott Gager & Debbie
Fri. 8 p.m. Ernie White & Tom Reock
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Larry D
Tues. 7 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Blend
911 Rte. 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Sat. 7 p.m. Meg Hanson
Tues. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Vince Ector Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Cedar Gardens Pub
661 Hwy. 33 Hamilton
(609) 587-0930
Thurs. 8 p.m. Bob O
Fri. 9 p.m. Dr. Doz
Sat. 9 p.m. Kevin Toft Open Jam
All shows 21+
Centro Bar And Grille
2360 Rte. 33 Robbinsville
(609) 208-9300
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Anthony "Fast Ant" Cannuli
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
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Laughing To The Finish Line Comedy Show" feat. Toppflight, Billy Da Kidd, Deekay, Kerron J. Smith, Big Shake, Kellz, Steve Brown, Special guest appearance by Choc Mike. Ages 18+, $10 (advance)
Fri. 7 p.m. Automatic 253, A Brighter Tomorrow, Win By 2, Exit Ten, Part Timers. All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. Carousel Kings, Rust Belt Lights, Cut The Act, Results Not Typical, Under The Radar, Andross, 3rd Times A Charm, With Friends Like These. All ages, $10/$12
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sun. 4 p.m. Irish Sessions w/ Billy O'Neal
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Animal House
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Philly Rock and Soul Dance & Horn Band
Sun. 3 p.m. John Eddie Christmas Show
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. The Stage Hamz
Sat. 10 p.m. "The Annual Ivy Christmas Party" feat. Tangled
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Cosmo Iaccavazi
Fri. 9 p.m. Luke Elliot w/ The Low Doses
Sat. (3 p.m.) Lelli & Borthwick (9:30 p.m.) The UnHoly Sideshow
Sun. (3 p.m.) Hot Dose (9:30 p.m.) Brother Eye w/ The Rips
Mon. Open Mic.
Tues. 9 p.m. The Brooks Ensemble
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
Mastoris Lounge
144 Rte. 130 Bordentown
(609) 298-4650
Fri. 7 p.m. DJ Chris Barlow
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. The Mojo Gypsies
Tues. Trivia Night
All shows 21+
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Sonny Kenn Band
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Funk and Roll
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Jeff Scott
Fri. (5 p.m.) Happy Hour feat. The Polish Nannies. (8 p.m.) DJ Jimmie Palumbo. $10 (cover charge includes buffet, bands and DJs)
Sat. 10 p.m. Euro Dance Night. Music by Wessy Wes and DJ Third Core
All Shows 21+
Spigola Ristorante
3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Rd. Hamilton
Fri. 8:30 p.m. DJ Dan Murphy
Sat. 8:30 p.m. After Dark
Star Subs Café
621 Rte. 130 Buckley Plaza Hamilton
(609) 333-1230
Wed. 7 p.m. Acoustic Open Mic. Night hosted by Bri LoBue
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. The Grey Test
Sat. 9 p.m. Alter Ego
The Cool Cricket
216 4th St. Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Thurs. 8 p.m. Kinky Bingo
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. (6 p.m.) Comedy Night feat. Vic Dibitetto (9 p.m.) Ugly Sweater Contest w/ Old School
Wed. 5 p.m. DJ Chris Barlow
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Professor Louie & The Crowmatix. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
Sat. 8 p.m. The Cryers CD Release party / Liz Klammer. 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. Short Term Memory
Sat. 9 p.m. The Dawgs
All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Please check web site for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Birmingham 6
Sat. 9 p.m. The Nog Bhoys
All shows 21+
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
www.trentonsocial.com
Thurs. 7 p.m. Social Thursdays w/ DJ Tangency
Fri. 7 p.m. Social First Fridays
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-JayKountree
Tues. 9 p.m. LiveMusic/Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
www.triumphbrewing.com
Thurs. 10 p.m. Bengal Gold
Fri. 10 p.m. Eastside Vibe. $5 (coverage)
Sat. 10 p.m. Tigerman. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Mon. 9:30 p.m. Manifested
All shows 21+
Villa Romanza
429 Rte. 156 Hamilton
(609) 585-1717
Fri. (6 p.m.) Arturo Romay (10 p.m.) DJ Big Red
Sat. 10 p.m. "The Better Choice" w/ DJ Iron Mike
Wed. 10 p.m. "The Better Choice" w/ DJ Iron Mike
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
www.wildflowersinnrestaurant.com
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
