"A lot of people know me as a keyboard player but I actually started out as a drummer," explained multi-instrumentalist and current Hall & Oates band member Eliot Lewis. "I also play guitar and bass as well."
With a resume as long as an afternoon shadow on a hot summers day; Lewis relishes the opportunities and the experiences that he's had over the years performing on some of the world's largest stages with some of music's biggest names. Performing with the likes of Train, Joe Walsh, Booker T., Cee Lo Green, Smokey Robinson, Jewel, Dave Stewart, Todd Rundgren, Goo Goo Dolls and Grace Potter to name a few, not to mention the long list of artists who he's accompanied on the award winning weekly series "Live From Daryl's House" on Palladia and VH1; Lewis also looks forward to showcasing his solo work, as he'll be doing on Friday March 14 at The Record Collector at 358 Farnsworth Avenue in Bordentown City, NJ.
Surely one would think after performing in venues such as the Hollywood Bowl or Japan's famous Budokan Arena as he toured the world as a member of The Average White Band and Hall & Oates, that Lewis would shy away from the smaller arenas and listening rooms; not so he told me recently. "The reason that I got into music, was to become my own artist, wanted that since I was fourteen years old when I started to write my own songs. It's been that way for so long for me; I've gone from playing very, very small places to big theaters, arenas and stadiums, it's variety, so the change is really sort of normal for me. Obviously I don't have the name as some of the artists that I work with, so playing small places I have a much, much smaller fan base but I love it and I actually like small places because they're so intimate and you can see everybody and really kind of connect with people, which you really do lose in a huge place; so it's all good and it's so satisfying for me because I'm able to play my own music, put on my own show; so it's great. I know it may sound strange but I really look forward to the smaller shows; I really do."
Eliot's self professed "back and forth" between his solo career and performing with mega-stars and as a regular on "Live From Daryl's House," came about through steady work and his writing ability. "Yeah, I'm really fortunate because even with the amount of artists that I play with, I still have time to write and do my own music, so it works out nicely. Well, really, it was through the Average White Band and working with Alan Gorrie; that was a direct path to Hall & Oates. I was writing songs and met some of the right people and began working with Alan. As it turns out, he and Hall & Oates shared the same producer and they were actually friends. Whenever we would go to the UK with the Average White Band, Daryl would come sit in because he had a house in England at the time and we'd be hanging out prior to, or after the shows, or at his house and he would joke and say that he "wanted me in his band," eventually I left the band and did a Daryl Hall solo tour. Touring with Daryl led to being offered a spot with Hall & Oates and ironically enough, I started touring with them in 2003 and the opening act was The Average White Band (laughs). That of course led to Daryl asking me to play keys for "Live From Daryl's House" and I've been doing it for going on seven years now. That itself is incredible to me, I mean seven years is a long time for what started as a small internet show that is now seen worldwide; even I'm starting to get recognized (laughs)."
Currently his "own music" consists of two studio albums and a recent live recording comprised of his best and favorite material. "I've been putting out a few CDs and I often tour the Midwest on my own; so I compiled a live CD called "Live and Up Front" and I'm currently working on a new studio disc which should be completed relatively soon."
Eliot's solo shows are unique in the fact that he uses some backing tracks but the shows are all Eliot. "My actual shows," he explained, "Well, what my show is, it's a little bit of backing tracks but the tracks are all me. I play the bass and the drums on the tracks and guitar on stage; so what you're hearing is all me and not some prerecorded tracks by another musician that I'm playing along with."
And at The Record Collector on March 14? "I like to tie in my solo material with my Daryl's House experience. I try to do songs from the various artists that I've performed with on the program. I do some other tunes, maybe a Hall & Oates song as well as tell stories about my career, experiences, music and the TV show."
The Record Collector is one of those "small places" with a capacity of approximately 75 people. So one can not get much more of an intimate setting to see some of the amazingly talented performers who've graced it's stage. Opening for Lewis, will be the increasingly popular twin sister act of Nalani & Sarina. Their first full length CD "Lessons Learned" features some of the top session players from NYC and has drawn rave reviews. Tickets for this show are $15 in advance.
To discover more about Eliot Lewis please go to www.eliotlewis.com and for Nalani & Sarina, please visit www.nalanisarina.com .
St. Patrick's Day has given local music enthusiasts an extra day of great entertainment! The Tir Na Nog, Dubh Linn Square and various other area food and drink establishments have all added a full entertainment slate for Monday to "assist" with the holiday revelry. Please check the listings below for times and venues.
Also, Charles Laurita & The Mischief will be making their swansong appearance at Cedar Gardens Pub on Rte. 33 in Hamilton on Saturday evening. Stop on out and see these great players and support live local original music. There is a $5 cover charge at this event.
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
Sun. 9 p.m. Spanky's Garage
Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Hosted by Eric Puliti
All shows 21+
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-714
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Pizza Party Night feat.Scott Gager & Debbie
Fri. 8 p.m. Larry D
Sat. 8 p.m. Meg Hanson feat. Billy Hill
Tues. 7 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Blend
911 Rte. 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Duane Eubanks Trumpet Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Cedar Gardens Pub
661 Hwy. 33 Hamilton
(609) 587-0930
Thurs. 8 p.m. Alright Alright
Sat. 9 p.m. Charles Laurita & The Mischief. $5 (cover charge)
Centro Bar And Grille
2360 Rte. 33 Robbinsville
(609) 208-9300
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Anthony Cannuli
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995
Fri. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
(609) 394-7437
Fri. 7 p.m. "Laughing To The Finish Line" Hosted by ToppFliight feat. Ken Jones, w/ Nate The Landlord, Billy Da Kidd, Brandy Hayes, Steve Brown, Big Shake, Kellz, Tyrell Bodie, Young Indy. Ages 18+, $10/$13
Sat. 5 p.m. Valacar, Risk, Alright Junior, Molly Rhythm, Falcon Punch, Hansford, Sithis. All ages, $8/$10
Sun. (4 p.m.) Bobaflex, Lethal Affection, Statik Silence, Drop Dead Birth, (TBA). All ages, $10/$12 (10 p.m.) The Bansai Bills, Rocky, Fresh Air, GSBS. Ages 21+, $5 or FREE if paid for 4 p.m. show.
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Fri. (3 p.m.) The Kennedys (8 p.m.) Broken Shillelagh's
Sat. (3 p.m.) Some Assembly Required (9 p.m.) Drews Farm
Sun. (3 p.m.) Billy O'neal (8 p.m.) Clancy's Pistol
Mon. (1 p.m.) Billy O'neal (8 p.m.) The Kennedys / DJ Matt (all day tent party)
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Erini Restaurant & Bar
1140 River Rd. Ewing
(609) 882-0303
Sat. 8:30 p.m. The Gyrl Band
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ entertainment
Sat. 8 p.m. 3HT
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Novo Rodeo
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party
Fri. 11:55 p.m. DJ Dance Party
Sat. 8 p.m. Robert Randolph and the Family Band / Sammy Flow. Doors at 6 p.m., $45
Sun. 4 p.m. Rocky & His friends Band
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridget
Tues. 8 p.m. The Daisy Jug Band. Doors at 7 p.m., $5
Wed. 8 p.m. Open Mic and Community Music Night feat. Heather & The Ransome Notes
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. Blind Lemmon Pie
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. Matt Rome
Fri. 9 p.m. Sammy Flow (CD Release Party)
Sat. (3 p.m.) Kings of Nowhere (9:30 p.m.) Honey Spot Blvd.
Sun. (3 p.m.) Na Bodach (9:30 p.m.) Weird Hot
Mon. Open Mic.
Tues. "No Slam Dancing No Stage Diving No Spikes" Book Signing w/ Amy Wuelfing & Steve Lodovico
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. 7 p.m. Condition Oakland. Ages 21+
Sat. 9 p.m. D. Lynch, Gangrenous Ovaries, Last Minute Hero, Johnny Cab Suicide. Ages 21+, $6
Tues. 8 p.m. Greg Rekus. Ages 21+
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Phaze
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Sat. 7 p.m. Blues In Disguise
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Mark Giovi
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Rambler
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Jeff Scott
Fri. (5 p.m.) The Polish Nannies (8 p.m.) DJ Jimmie Palumbo. $10 per person includes buffet, bands and DJ
Sat. (3:30 p.m.) "Official St. Patrick's Day Parade After Party" w/ Radio Fiction /DJ Steve Hype
All Shows 21+
Small World Coffee
14 Witherspoon St. Princeton
(609) 924-4377
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Black Cat Habitat feat. Rachel McCullough
Spigola Ristorante
3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Rd. Hamilton
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Kathy Robinson
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sunsets at Cream Ridge
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-2500
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. John Patrick
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Kickback
Sat. 9 p.m. Steve The Band
Mon. St. Patrick's Day Party
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket
216 4th St. Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Thurs. 8 p.m. Kinky Bingo
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. The Dawgs
Mon. 6 p.m. El Ka Bong
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Eliot Lewis / Nalani & Sarina. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance)
Sat. 8 p.m. John Ford Band / Jim George. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance).
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Monzter Zero
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Steam Boat Annie
Mon. 5 p.m. DJ Entertainment
All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Sat./Sun. 8 a.m. USA NJ Wrestling 2014 State Finals. Doors at 7 a.m., $10 (adults) $5 (children)
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
Sat. (12 p.m.) Seamus Kelleher (4 p.m.) Mike Brill (8 p.m.) The Nog Bhoys
Mon. (2 p.m.) The Nog Bhoys (7 p.m.) Chay & Taylor
All shows 21+
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays presents: "Sucka 4 Love."
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
Fri. 10 p.m. Pure Jerry. $5 (coverage)
Sat. (12 p.m.) Hobnail (10 p.m.) Splintered Sunlight. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. (1 p.m.) Clancy's Pistol (7 p.m.) Open Jam Night
All shows 21+)
Villa Romanza
429 Rte. 156 Hamilton
(609) 585-1717
Sat. 8 p.m. CSI Murder Mystery Dinner Show.
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
