By Danny Coleman
originally published: 11/30/2017

"I played the trumpet before the drums actually," says Trixter's Mark "Gus" Scott as he discussed the release of his new holiday disc titled, "Christmas Miracle." "It's seven songs, so I guess it's more of an EP. I did it because, well, everybody in the band kind of took off and started doing other things and I still wanted to play with Trixter. I had been doing music for video games and a movie and then I was watching an episode of, "The West Wing" and there were these hit men committing a murder and there were flashes to a lonely little boy singing in a Church during the murder and he was singing, "Ave Maria" and I had a thought...."

That thought was to cut a single of that same tune but Scott wasn't sure how it would come out or if it was even worth his or anyone else's time. So he enlisted the help of his producer and set out to record what he thought at first might be just a single. "I recorded half the song because I didn't want to take the time to do the whole thing just in case it wasn't happening as I'd hoped; I didn't want to waste anyone's time, including mine. So I recorded half of the song and when we played it back, we were both like, "Wow!" "So it was suggested that I finish the song and not stop there. I was told that I should make a whole album and I thought; why not make a Christmas album? Christmas songs are some of the most beautiful music ever written, so I did it and I'm very happy with it. The rough part was the production (Laughs). This was like mixing classical music, like an orchestra. I had 50 different things recorded individually so it was a nightmare to mix and master; the production side was really wild! I had a lot of fun doing this record. I had the time and really had only a few other things going on and I like being on stage and beating the drums and that's great and I love doing that but I'm really proud of this; this one was for my parents (laughs)!" 

Even though he released, "Ave Maria" as a single earlier in November, the rest of the disc was released on Thanksgiving and was done so for a couple of reasons. "I released the single early because it benefits a great charity called, "Hope 4 Kids International." "All of the proceeds from this single will go to the charity. I've been very lucky to live my dream life and I want to help kids all around the world have that same opportunity. Now as far as the CD goes, I'm tired of seeing Christmas being shoved down our throats before Halloween (Laughs). I think the commercial markets are now pushing Christmas too soon. When I was a kid, you didn't even think about Christmas until after Thanksgiving, so that's why I'm waiting until Thanksgiving to release the album because I don't believe in rushing things. I think we need to return to some older values a bit and stop hurrying to get there." 

The word, "Philanthropist" is often attached to Scott's name and has even become somewhat of a moniker for him. However, he feels like he's the one who is on the receiving end of things and takes nothing for granted. Every Memorial Day and Veterans Day he can be found playing, "Taps" at a local cemetery or present at an event honoring our war heroes. His desire to, "Give back" and repay those who served our country is forever ongoing. "It is an extreme honor to perform at those events," he stated with a sense of awe in his voice. "Even when Trixter would play at military bases or near towns that had bases, they were some of the most or perhaps the most appreciative crowds we ever performed in front of. Anytime I'm asked or anytime that I can volunteer to do a veteran's ceremony, be it in a cemetery, a VFW or wherever; I'm gonna do it! Sometimes they offer me cash or ask who they make the check out to and I'm like; are you kidding me? I should be paying you! These guys and women gave their all, some did give their all and I feel so humbled and proud to be asked to do that for them, I can't take payment." 

"There's nothing happening with Trixter right now and this album all came about because of that. I'm doing this because it developed from me not doing anything (Laughs). When you reach a level of success, maybe not even success so much as just being a musician, you hope to connect with just one person. Just one makes it all worth it and knowing that you, your talent or music has affected their lives in some way makes it a success and is quite gratifying. Now, with this album and the veterans that I encounter, the situation is reversed. Now I'm the one being connected with and it's so cool. These people that I meet and speak with are telling me stories and I'm honored to have met them. They're leaving their impressions on me and making memories for me and I'm lovin' every bit of it!" 

 

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To discover more about Mark "Gus" Scott, Hope 4 Kids International or the new CD; please go to www.markgusscottusa.wixsite.com. 

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

​

 

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This week's event listings

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Bill's Olde Tavern
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes) 
Ages 21+ 

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Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33 Hamilton 
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia  Jam
Wed. 7 p.m.  Karaoke

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Bowman's Tavern
1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. David Dales Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 7 p.m. Larry Taminini Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Brunch With Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Fermenters Trio
Wed. 6 p.m. Lovey Williams

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Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room
19 E. Union Street Burlington
(609) 733-3562
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Gee Money
Sat. 9 p.m. Vansaders / Danger Club

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Candlelight Lounge 
24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
 Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet) 
Tues. 6 p.m. "Tuesday Jazz Jam" Open Session feat. James Stewart / Tom Littwin Trios. $5 (Lite appetizers

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Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia 

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City Streets 
510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Fri. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie & Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval

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COARadio.com 
Main Street Hightstown 
(609) 241-7103
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Upright Man

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Dadz Bar & Grill
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 9 p.m. DJ Jason Byrd / "Beer Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. 44 Fridays
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Aaron Hehl & John Dutton
Tues. 8 p.m. "Game Night"

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Dog & Bull Brew House
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Stephen Anthony
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Funky Friday Happy Hour" (9 p.m.) Mike Estabrook
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch" feat. David Dzubinski (9 p.m.) Gypsy Mother
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton 
Wed. 8 p.m. Joe Robinson

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Freddies Tavern
12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. The Gyrl Band
Sat. 8 p.m. Jim Delre Band
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala

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Grover's Mill Coffee House
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker

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Halo Pub 
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square
(609)586-1811 
Sat. 7 p.m. Blue Jersey Band

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Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA. 
(215) 862-9897
Fri. (8 p.m.) "Kansas Tribute" w/ Know Return. Doors at 6 p.m., $25 (Advance) (11 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (8:30 p.m.) Fish Out of Water (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. (1 p.m.) Midnight Sun Orchestra (6 p.m.) JB Kline Blues Band
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local & Original Music" Hosted by Pat Foran 

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Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn
15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Sat. 7 p.m KDBrown Band & The Back Door Band. $10 (Cover charge)

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Hopewell Valley Vineyards
46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Piano, Bass and Jazz
Fri. 6 p.m. James Popik & Friends
Sat. 6 p.m. Acoustic Road
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Sergio & Lars

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Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam

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Iron Plow Vineyards
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Bob O & Jess
Sat. 1 p.m. Jon Savage
Sun. 1 p.m. Jeff & Karen

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Ivy Tavern 
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. The Ernie White Band
Sat. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir
All shows 21+

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Jake's Eatery 
869 Bustleton Pike Richboro, PA
(215) 322-6787
Thurs. 8 p.m. Danny Lynch Project
Sat. 9 p.m. Plush
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Bob Tomlinson
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia Night

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John & Peter's 
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Matt Cappy
Fri. 9 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sat. 9 p.m. Dirty Soap Blues Band, Midwestern Exposure, Bosom Band. $10
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic.
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+

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Killarney's Publick House
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 9 p.m. Keep The Change

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Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Laurita Junior Idol" Fall Singing Showcase: Junior Idol Finals
Sat. 6:30 p.m. "5th Annual Walking The Line" Johnny Cash Christmas Concert
Wed. 6 p.m. Girls Night Out "Canvas Mixer"

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Mamma Rosa's ​
572 Klockner Road Hamilton 
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider 

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McGuinn's Place
1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Ages 21+

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McStews Irish Sports Pub
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 10 p.m. "Frisky Fridays" w/ DJ Favs. & MC Fredo Ages 21+
Sat. 9 p.m. Steamboat Annie
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Wed. 9 p.m. Bobaflex w/ Jacob Cade, Despyre

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Millhill Basement
300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase 

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New Hope Winery
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Sun. 6 p.m. John Gorka. Doors at 5 p.m., $30

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Nook's PourHouse
2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics

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Nottingham Tavern
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square
(609) 587-6623
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Thanksgiving" Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave
Fri. 8 p.m. Jerry Monk & Joe Kramer
Sat. 9 p.m. Joe Zook & Paul Plumeri
Wed. 5 p.m. "Weekend Warm-up" w/ DJ Chris Barlow
Ages 21+

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Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +

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Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Polish Nannies
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Papa D'Lux

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Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
 Sat. 8/10 p.m. Marshall Crenshaw. Doors at 7:30 p.m., $25
Sun. 6 p.m. Marshall Crenshaw. Doors at 5:30 p.m., $25​

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Salt Creek Grille
1 Rockingham Row Princeton
(609) 419-4200
Fri. 8 p.m. Keith Franklin
Sat. 8 p.m. Jackie Jones

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Small World Coffee
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-4377 x2
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Clock Of Destiny

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1867 Sanctuary 
101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Sun. 3 p.m. "Babe In A Manger" Christmas Choral Concert w/ The Glassbrook Vocal Ensemble and the Princeton Girlchoir. $20

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Tara's Tavern 
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Big Daddy G
Sat. 10 p.m. Infinite Bandwidth

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Tavern On The Lake
101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Big Daddy G
Sat. 9 p.m. Infinite Bandwidth
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night

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Temperance House
5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Open Mic Hosted by Steve Guyger
Fri. 7 p.m. Steve Guyger
Sat. 7 p.m. The Dadz
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo w/ Righteous Jolly
Wed. 7 p.m. "Jazz Night" w/ John Sheridan and BCCC

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The Cool Cricket
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse

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The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m.
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)

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The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Sat. 10 p.m. Paper Shakers
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron

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The Nest
1492 Woodbourne Road Levittown, PA
(215) 945-9825
Sat. 8 p.m. Ernie White & Tom Reock

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The Pines Tavern
6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. Timepiece 
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.

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The Raven 
385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Thurs. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (8 p.m.) Will & Grace Viewing Party (10 p.m.) All Male Revue
Fri. (7:30 p.m.) Fox Cats. $15 (9 p.m.) Michael Ferreri (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 6 p.m. Christmas tree Lighting and Carols
Mon. 9:30 p.m. "Lipstick Monday" Drag Show
Wed. 7 p.m. Dena Underwood​

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The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. Ricky Byrd & Richard Barone. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (Advance) 

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The Roost 
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050 
Fri. 9 p.m. License To Chill
Sat. 9 p.m. Sideways Willy

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The Sticky Wicket 
2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio
Fri. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke

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The Sun National Bank Center 
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events

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Tir Na Nog 
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Billy McGovern
Sat. 9 p.m. The Shantys
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" Hosted by McDermott's Handy
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 9 p.m. The Williamsboy
All shows  21+

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Trenton Buzz
702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic. 

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Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Happy Hour" w/ Jay Kountree (Live DJ all night)
Sat. 7 p.m. "Zen That Beat" Yoga w/ Cheryl Young scored to live music
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny P
Wed. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton

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Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Wildflowers: A tribute To Tom Petty. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Anders & Friends.$5 (cover charge)
All shows 21+ 

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Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 9 p.m. (TBA)
All shows 21+

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Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Ernie White
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Night
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Ages 21+

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Winter Wonderland
390 Newkirk Ave (Kuser Park) Hamilton
Sat./Sun. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton w/ Linda Lee. (Kuser Mansion location)
All ages
​

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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 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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