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Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...12/5/19


By Danny Coleman

originally published: 12/05/2019

"Fake Jazz & Theme Songs" is the "Official" debut album from Lady Antebellum guitarist Slim Gambill and it is representative of a career, no, make that a journey which seems to have come full circle. 

Recording and performing with "Lady A" since 2007 has kept Gambill busy but he has also worked with industry heavyweights such as John Mayer, Christina Aguilera, Maroon 5, Steve Nicks, Darius Rucker, Vanessa Carlton, Peter Frampton and is also the lead guitarist of the “Last Call with Carson Daly" house band and he has a scheduled December 8 show at South Jazz Kitchen Restaurant in Philadelphia, PA.

So how does a fella' like Slim with this diverse performing history come to make a jazz album? According to him; it's kind of where it all started.

"I kind of came from that world," he began to explain. "The first music that I ever wrote and recorded was kind of in this vein, kind of a funky jazz infused rock with a horn section. That's what I was doing when I was in high school and college; so yeah that was a big part of my life and I did a lot of it when I lived in L.A. I haven't done it really since I moved to Nashville but it's kind of where I came from in the first place believe it or not. I kind of circled back around to it because I had a friend reach out who had this jazz festival in New Mexico and he asked me to be kind of a mentor to some high school and college big bands. He asked me to come down and do that and to play and it kind of gave me the kick in the ass that I needed to get this project going because I had been thinking about it for a while but that took it over the top and yeah it was like a coming home party. It was weird trying to get back into it after playing pop country for twelve years straight but it was a fun journey re-discovering things; I don't want to say I'd forgotten but that I had forgotten (laughs)."

"This is officially my first jazz album under my name; we put out one with a band when I was 19 years old but that doesn't quite qualify. It was kind of along these lines, maybe not quite as advanced but yeah I guess you can officially call it my debut album as Slim Gambill. That jazz festival in New Mexico is what started the process. When my buddy called me up; we had gone to high school together and we had a band together and we were in big band and all that stuff and he's a band director in New Mexico who is heavily involved in "New Mexico All-State Jazz." So he has this non-competitive middle school, high school and college festival of big bands and they have a set of sort of mentors who listen to the bands play and give them some guidance during their time slot and there is a performance every night. So he asked me if I wanted to do it and I said, man I haven't even thought about big bands in 20 years but it sounds fun and he said I could be part of the house band at night so I said; what should I play? He said, "Do some standards; do you have any of your own stuff?" I said, no but I've got some ideas; I basically went into the studio with some buddies in Nashville just so I could get these ideas down so I could send them to the house band but it's not really my style to do things halfway. So one thing led to another, I wrote more and more tunes, I recorded more and more, I added horn sections and before I knew it I was like, I might as well press this and have an actual product. I did the jazz festival, some other shows started popping up and it ended up going over really well; people have responded really well to the record. So it started as demos for a house band, a one- time deal and just progressed to where it is now. I went into Sound Imports Studio in Nashville and the process of recording is not cheap so I was like well, if I'm spending the money to cut these demos I might as well finish them off. I've got a home studio set-up and to be honest, I cut most of the guitar parts at home because in the studio my head is in producer mode and I'm kind of listening to what everyone else is doing and making sure that I get their tracks solid. I ended up obsessing over the guitar parts at my home studio but I'm not set-up to like cut things off; I basically have a place to cut guitar parts and edit (laughs)."



 


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With the admission of not doing things, "Halfway" out in the open, the next step was to find musicians that could handle performing the arrangements as well as be available when the time was right as Gambill's hectic schedule can make this potentially difficult. 

"One thing that Nashville has a lot of is good musicians and because the music is not easy finding guys with the facility to do it was interesting," he said sounding somewhat intrigued by the process. "I'm starting to get a good crew of people where I can go a few people deep on any given instrument that can learn the book and be available because the shows aren't that consistent where I can use the same guys but I've got a few on any given instrument and it's working pretty well so far." 

"You kind of have to do it that way unless you have enough shows on the books where you can tell somebody, OK I'm going to book you out for the next six months. Everybody has to eat so everybody has to work; this entire summer I did exactly nothing because I was out on the road with Lady A and I can't expect all the guys to be available at the drop of a dime because they're busy doing other things. I managed to have the same three guys play with me at pretty much every show at the beginning of the year and then I dropped off the map for four months. I found myself in the position where it was, oh man, the drummer can't do this show, the bass player can't do that show so I thought, well, I need to find some more bass players who can learn the book and it has forced me into that position and I don't mean it in a bad way but it's good to have back-up plans and it's necessary to have back-up plans because I can't keep all of these guys pinned down; maybe someday but right now it's cool. Right now I have four bass players that I can call who know my music and that's fantastic." 

Words such as "Jam, Jazz, Swing" and "Yacht Rock-esque" have been used to describe "Fake Jazz & Theme Songs" but with its powerful and at times in your face style one can hear the varied influences of Gambill's musical upbringing; so how has the response been to this brand of jazz now that he's been out on the road a bit and how long will this tour last? 

"Hit and miss, pretty well; like we did a country club gig recently, kind of strange with a whole bunch of people eating dinner and we kept being told during soundcheck that it needs to be quieter. There were people having full on conversations and our show tends to go off the rails and into jam patch territory so it's not like passive, quiet sit in the corner type jazz (laughs). So doing it quietly was really weird but it was fun and everyone played great. The shows that I'm booking, we never know quite know what we're getting into. The best ones; we've done a fair amount of supper club type venues with upscale affluent suburbanites kind of thing where people come out for dinner and to see a show and they end up being really great listening crowds and are really into what we are doing. By and large it has all gone over really well because people don't quite expect what they experience, there's a lot of twists and turns; it's kind of like the smooth jazz crowd but then we kind of rip their heads off and they're way into it. I feel like the audiences are people that grew up listening to George Benson and Chuck Mangione but they also dig Led Zeppelin and Hendrix. Most of the time they'll go to a jazz show and it's in that realm and they dig it but they're not used to it going full bore classic rock but they like it and they just didn't quite realize it. There are no actual classic rock tunes but my guitar playing just kind of goes there. I grew up listening to classic rock, Motown, southern rock, 60's and 70's early funk, jazz and blues in high school and that all swirled together into what I am now; so it all kind of works its way into my guitar playing."

"It's hard to call it a tour, it's more like little weekenders here and there. That's how we do it here in Nashville, we go out for a few days and come home, go out for a few days and come home; once everything is said and done over the next six months I'll probably end up with about 25 shows of my own including the ones that I've done so far. So it's not super heavy duty, I'm not looking to jump in a van and disappear for six months so I just try to just kind of regionally hit by having two or three shows in the same area and then come home and go out in a couple weeks and do the same thing over again. I try to gradually spread the word and be smart about it; I've got a wife and two little kids at home and I don't necessarily want to be away from them anymore than I have to. I'm trying to develop this project and get it out there and maybe start to get a solid reputation without full blown road dogging; I'm kind of past that point in my life but I think in this genre that I don't necessarily have to go out and road dog it's not necessarily what's done with the jazz scene."

Over more than a decade Slim has entertained throngs numbering in the tens of thousands while touring with Lady Antebellum; he couldn't help but chuckle a bit when asked what it's like to go from stadiums and large arenas to small venues like the aforementioned country club gigs.  



 
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"That particular aspect of it; most of the shows aren't that way, most of the shows we get to do our thing, that's what we get brought in to do. People actually want to see our shows, I really dig the supper club vibe because it's generally a listening audience, people are really paying attention and digging it and I think it's the most natural expression as a musician and a guitar player; I really get to do my thing. So yeah, doing it for 20 people or however many show up is like a really good time to get to do this; I get to spread out and do whatever the hell I want. It's great because you get to see everybody's faces; the huge crowds are obviously awesome but it becomes sort of like this faceless mass and it's hard to pick out individuals. So you're playing in front of a wall of people which is amazing but as far as connecting with people on an individual level the smaller rooms and I think most artists that tour in front of gigantic crowds would agree that when they get into a more intimate setting that they're able to connect with people a bit more than in the giant arenas. They both have their virtues though, the big rooms are fantastic don't get me wrong; it can be nerve wracking but like I said it's a faceless mass. I probably get more nervous in front of way smaller audiences walking out in front of 20 people than I do at huge arenas; in some cases they can be three feet in front of you eating their dinner (laughs). The supper club vibe seems to be the new tool and paradigm, the new thing to do on a Friday night; they seem to be springing up all over the place."

One would think given his laundry list of achievements that putting out his own material would be a breeze, however that's not the case because as with all original artists the struggle is real; even for Slim Gambill.

"It's tough to get original music out there everywhere. The tribute scene in Nashville and it seems everywhere is just like; everything is a tribute to something that has already happened and that's what gets people off their couches and going to a club. It's like, oh wow I wanna go see that tribute to Paul Simon or Fleetwood Mac or whoever but you put out some original music and it's like crickets. It's a tough scene, it has always been hard to get original music out there but now it's just a different model and honestly the stuff that gets the most attention is if you use a looper pedal and have some good YouTube content; that's what everyone notices."

After this scheduled Philly show; where does he go from here? 

"I've already started recording for the next one; a lot of the tunes that we've been playing for a while aren't on this record. I have a couple of tunes that are tracked and that I've completely mixed and a couple more that I have some touching up to do. There's also a Lady A promo because they have a new record out and my own jazz gig so I haven't done any recording on this stuff lately. So once the dust settles, like this winter, I'll probably settle in and finish up some tracks. I've got a handful of my own shows in the winter and spring and in between I'll work on that stuff and see where it all goes." 

Gambill also has a small soft spot for the Jersey Shore area and even he noticed some improvements to one of the thriving music cities in the Garden State. 

"I'm a big, gigantic Springsteen freak, I've done the drive; I chased him down to Asbury Park where they were rehearsing and I did a gig with a buddy of mine at The Stone Pony," he admitted with a laugh.  "I was there in 1999 and then again in 2018; man a lot can change in 19 years, there's a lot going on; I love how they revived it because it has such a great history."

South is located at 600 North Broad Street at the corner of Mt. Vernon in Philadelphia and the doors open at 5:30 p.m. To purchase tickets or discover more about Slim Gambill, please visit www.slimgambill.com

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



This week's event listings


Amalfi's Kitchen & Bar   
146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Road Lawrenceville   
(609) 912-1599   
Sat. 8:30 p.m. No Way Out
Arts Council of Princeton     
102 Witherspoon Street Princeton     
(609) 924-8777    
Sat. 7:30 p.m. "Holiday Melodies" feat. Katie Welsh w/ David Pearl. $20
Artworks Trenton   
19 Everett Alley Trenton   
(609) 394-9436  
Sat. 5:30 p.m. Opening Reception for 10x10/Members Exhibition      
Bill's Olde Tavern     
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton     
(609) 586-0192     
Thurs. 7 p.m. Ladies Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest
Ages 21+    
Blend Bar & Bistro     
911 Highway 33 Hamilton     
(609) 245-8887   
Sun. 7 p.m. Karaoke  
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia  Jam     
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Boozy & Cozy" Ballroom Dance Class     
Bordentown Elks   
11 Amboy Road Bordentown   
(609) 298-2085   
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke Night
Bowman's Tavern     
1600 River Road New Hope, PA     
(215) 862-2972     
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Fermenters Trio
Fri. (5 p.m.) Bennett Lee (8 p.m.) Bob Egan  
Sat. 7 p.m. David Dales Trio
Sun. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Ryan Shubert
Wed. 6 p.m. Soul Custody Trio
Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room     
19 E. Union Street Burlington     
(609) 733-3562  
Wed. 7 p.m. Quizzoholics 
Broken Goblet Brewing   
2500 State Road Bensalem, PA   
(267) 812-5653   
Thurs. 8 p.m. Mike Estabrook 
Fri. 8:30 p.m. "First Friday" w/ Cara Cartney
Wed. 8 p.m. Open Mic w/ Dana Collins
All Shows 21+
Candlelight Lounge     
24 Passaic Street Trenton     
(609) 695-9612     
Thurs. 6 p.m. Thursday Night Blues Jam w/ The Mojo Gypsies. $5 (Includes hot buffet) 
Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)     
Championship Bar   
931 Chambers street Trenton   
(609) 396-5457  
Fri. 5 p.m. Falsifier, Loser, Desolate, Refinement, Court Order, Planetary Alignment, True Shot. All ages, $12/$14
Sat. 7 p.m. "Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market After Party" feat. When Particles Collide, Nikki Nailbomb and the Amorphous Blob Orchestra, Honah Lee, Joy On Fire. All ages, $8
Sun. 6 p.m. Born A New, Sentinels, The Machinist, On Sight, Grievance, VRDN. All ages, $12/$15
Mon. 8 p.m. "Art Chill Night"   
Tuesday 8 p.m. "Jam Night" Hosted by Nikki & Caleb   
Wed. 6 p.m. "Mike's Christmas Circus" (FREE event)
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     
City Streets     
510 Highway 130 South East Windsor     
(609) 426-9400   
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays"      
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie & Chelsea 
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval        
COARadio.com     
125 South Main Street Hightstown     
(609) 241-7103
Fri. 6 p.m. "Hopewell Hayride"
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Genevieve
Conservatory Mansion
540 East State Street Trenton 
(609) 858-2279
Thurs. 6 p.m. Cha-Cha, Bop, 2-Step w/ Instructor "EL" ($12 walk in fee $40 monthly)
Tues. 6 p.m. Line Dance Classes
Cook A.A.  
411 Hobart Avenue Hamilton  
(609) 586-5117 
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. "Karaoke at The Cook" Hosted by Superstar Entertainment 
Cooper's Riverview 
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton 
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour (9 p.m.) "Late Night Thirsty Thursdays" w/ DJ Entertainment
Fri. 4 p.m. Paradise Happy Hour" 
Sat. 9 p.m. "Saturday Night Social" 
Sun. 11 a.m. "Sunday Brunch" 
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
All Events Ages 21+
Dacey's Pub 
215 West Philadelphia Avenue Morrisville, PA 
(215) 295-4838 
Fri. 7 p.m. Acoustic Music Night 
Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo 
Dog & Bull Brew House     
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.     
(215) 788-2855     
Fri. 8 p.m. Mike Estabrook
Sat.  (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch" feat. David Dzubinski (8 p.m) Whurl
Sun. 11 a.m. "Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia 
First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown
320 North Main Street Hightstown
(609) 448-0055
Fri. 7 p.m. 3rd Friday Open Mic. Hosted by Rob & Bob Belloff
Friendly's
1031 Washington Boulevard Robbinsville
(609) 426-9203
Sun. 5:30 p.m. Open Mic and Karaoke
German American Society   
215 Uncle Pete's Road Hamilton   
(609) 585-5200   
Fri. 7 p.m. German Christmas Show. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., $20 (advance)
Greenhouse  
90 South Main Street New Hope, PA  
(215) 693-1657  
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Musical Chair" (Rotating Live Music) 
Sat. 9 p.m. Close But Free Cigars. 
Tues. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Sam Ryan Music
Grounds For Sculpture   
80 Sculptors way Hamilton   
(609) 586-0616    
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Sing Along with Sculpture" w/ Seward Johnson   
Sun. 7 p.m. "Love Came Down" An Evening With Westminster Concert Bell Choir
Grover's Mill Coffee House
    
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction     
(609) 716-8771     
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker   
Halo Pub   
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square   
(609) 586-1811   
Sat. 7 p.m. Blue Jersey Band
Hamilton Tap & Grill  
557 US Route 130 North Hamilton  
(609) 905-0925  
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 8 p.m.Trivia Challenge  
Wed. 7 p.m. Country Night
Havana New Hope 
   
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.     
(215) 862-9897    
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Rocky & His Friends
Fri. (8:30 p.m.) Shot of Southern. $8 (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party 
Sat. (8 p.m.) Christine Martucci. Doors open at 6 p.m., $25  (11 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 1 p.m. Midnight Sun Orchestra 
Mon. 9:30 p.m. "Lipstick Mondays Drag show" followed by Karaoke w/ Dwayne  "Ugly Sweater Party" 
Tues. 8 p.m. Funk 'N' Blues Jam Hosted by Sidewinder Blues Band
Wed. 9:30 p.m. Original Music Showcase Hosted by Pat Foran feat. Lambertville Historical Society Holiday CD Party
Hopewell Theater      
5 South Greenwood Avenue Hopewell     
(609) 466-1964    
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. 
Fri. 8 p.m. "Stand-Up For Something: Autism Speaks" Comedy Show feat. Dan Marquez, Erik Terrell, Mollie Sperduto, Geogg Colella. $30
Sat. 8 p.m. Martha Redbone Roots Project (trio). $22, $25, $28
Hopewell United Methodist Church   
20 Blackwell Avenue Hopewell   
(609) 466-0471   
Fri. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night 
Sat. 6 p.m. Hopewell Hayride (Old Time Country & Bluegrass). $15 (Suggested donation adults) 
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn     
15 East Broad Street Hopewell     
(609) 466-9889  
Thurs. 6 p.m. "Jazz On Broad" Hosted by Phil Orr feat. Black Bird Society Orchestra. $15 (Ages 22 and under $5)
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night  
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions"  
Hopewell Valley Vineyards     
46 Yard Avenue Pennington     
(609) 737-4465     
Thurs. 6 p.m. Karaoke/Open Mic Night
Fri. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. A Little Bit Off
Sat. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Chris from Rave On
Sun. 3 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Alex Otey Trio
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill     
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA     
(267) 914-4517     
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher     
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Witzend
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam      
Irish Rover Station House  
1033 Bellevue Avenue Langhorne, PA  
(215) 970-5412  
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke 
Fri. 9:30 p.m. DJ Entertainment  
Sat. 9:30 p.m. 5 Shades of Grey
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Iron Plow Vineyards     
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus     
(732) 306-9111  
Fri. 6 p.m. Deb & Mike
Sat. 2 p.m. Jo Wymer Band
Sun. 2 p.m. Carly & Me
Iron Plow Vineyards Tasting Room
61 High Street Mt. Holly 
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 7 p.m. Ronnie Brandt
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Spoondrift
Ivy Tavern     
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton     
(609) 888-1435     
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke     
Fri. 9 p.m. Uneverno
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
All shows 21+     
Jake's Eatery     
869 Bustleton Pike Richboro, PA     
(215) 322-6787     
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Ladies Night"    
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia Night     
Jimmy's Firestone American Grill   
140 Route 130 South Bordentown   
(609) 291-0200   
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Bar Games and Trivia"   
John & Peter's     
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa     
(215) 862-5981    
Thurs. 9 p.m. Bridge Beat Duo
Fri. 9 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sat. (3 p.m.) Basement Noise (9 p.m.) The Fletchers, Brother JT, Naughty Clouds
Sun. (3 p.m.) Jamie & The Guarded Heart (9 p.m.) Trio Of Madness
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic
Tues. 6 p.m. J n P's Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational     
All shows 21+    
Killarney's Publick House     
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton    
(609) 586-1166    
Thurs. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out"
Fri. (5 p.m.) Danny Linch Project (10 p.m.) Electric Stingray
Sat. (9 a.m.-11 a.m.) Breakfast w/ Santa (9 p.m.) "Santa Con"  (10 p.m.) Roundabout
Wed. 7 p.m. Drop Beat Bingo
Kuser Farm Park and Mansion
390 Newkirk Avenue Hamilton
Fri./Sat. 5 p.m. "Winter Wonderland" w/ Dick Gratton and Linda Lee
Lambertville Elks Lodge #1070
66 Wilson Street Lambertville
(609) 397-4210
Sat. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night
Laurita Winery     
85 Archertown Road New Egypt     
(609) 752-0200   
Thurs. 6 p.m. Wooden Snowman Painting
Fri. 7 p.m. The Philadelphia Hand Bell Orchestra
Sat.12 p.m. / 6 p.m. 7th Annual "Walking the Line" Johnny Cash Christmas Concert
Sun. 2 p.m. Atlantic Brass Band Holiday Concert
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out"  
Lawrenceville Main Street
17 Phillips Avenue Lawrenceville
(609) 219-9300
Sun. 12 p.m. Winter Market
Logan Inn 
   
10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA     
(215) 862-2300   
Sun. 11 a.m. "Jazz Brunch" 
Mamma Rosa's     
572 Klockner Road Hamilton     
(609) 588-5454   
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke
Marcellos Coal Fired Restaurant & Pizza   
206 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown    
(609) 298-8360   
Sun. 10 a.m. "Blues Brunch" 
McGuinn's Place     
1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence     
(609) 392-0599    
Fri. 6 p.m. Mike Oregno Artist Showcase
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke    
Ages 21+     
McStews Irish Sports Pub     
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA     
(215) 949-9570     
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Beer Pong Night"
Sat. 9 p.m. Steal Your Face
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Video Trivia  
Millhill Basement     
300 S. Broad Street Trenton     
(609) 989-1600     
Fri. 10 p.m. "First Fridays" feat. Clamfight, Brain Candle, Bridge Under Fire, 19DRT, Which Witch. Ages 21+, Doors open at 9 p.m., $8
Mon. 9 p.m. Sick Shit, Frail Body, for your health, Kissies. Hosted by Aftermath Collective.
Tues. 8 p.m. "Millhill Experiment" 
Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company
909 Ray Avenue Croydon, PA
(215) 458-7081
Sat. 12 p.m. Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market "Holiday Edition." $5 (Kids 10 and under FREE)
New Hope Winery    
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA   
(215) 794-2331   
Fri./Sat. 8 p.m. Fleetwood Mac Tribute w/ "Tusk." Doors open at 7 p.m., $39. (Both shows SOLD OUT check for ticket availability)
Nook's PourHouse     
2043 Route 130 South Florence     
(609) 447-0927    
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics      
Nottingham Tavern     
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square     
(609) 587-6623     
Thurs. (7 p.m.) "Rock On Radio Happy Hour" Hosted by Danny Coleman feat. Maggs & Bud (9:30 p.m.) Karaoke w/ Super Dave Curtis 
Fri. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction
Sat. 9 p.m. Drunk Monkeys
Ages 21+     
Old Town Pub     
135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown     
(609) 291-9232    
Thurs. 8 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia   
Fri. 9 p.m. Gypsy Mother
Sat. 9 p.m. Tour de Force
Wed. 8 p.m. "Dinner Is A Drag" Holiday Extravaganza. $55 (Includes buffet dinner)
Palermo's Of Hamilton     
310 Klockner Road Hamilton     
(609) 838-7979     
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke    
All shows 21 +   
Palmer Square
Nassau Street Princeton
Thurs. 4 p.m. "Skating On The Square" $10 (Includes skate rental)
Sat. 12 p.m. "Holiday Entertainment" feat. Courtney's Carolers w/ Strolling Santa (12 p.m./4 p.m.) "Skating On the Square" $10 (Includes skate rental) 
Sun. 12 p.m. "Holiday Entertainment" feat. Jersey Harmony Chorus w/ Strolling Santa. (12 p.m./4 p.m.) "Skating On the Square" $10 (Includes skate rental) 
Patriots Crossing     
1339 River Road Titusville     
(609) 737-2780    
Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night
Fri. 8 p.m. Brooks Brothers
Sat. 8 p.m. DiRty ReD
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo"         
Pete's Steak House     
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton     
(609) 585-8008     
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir
Pj's Pancake House & Tavern
19 Main Street Robbinsville
(609) 772-4755
Tues. 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Night
Princeton Elks Lodge #2129 
354 Route 518 Blawenburg
(609) 466-4945
Thurs. 5 p.m. Holiday Drag Queen Quiz Night
Randy Now's Man Cave 
  
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown     
(609) 424-3766   
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Trenton Brass Quintet Plus One feat. Karl Megules. (FREE event donations accepted)
Sat. 7:30 p.m. / 9 p.m. Marshall Crenshaw (2 Shows). $25
River Cat Cafe`    
142 South Main Street New Hope, PA   
(215) 693-1008   
Mon. 6 p.m. "Monday Night Jazz"  
Rossi's Bar & Grill     
2110 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton     
(609) 890-2004     
Thurs. 7 p.m. Monk & Monk and Kramer
Small World Coffee     
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton     
(609) 924-4377 x2   
Sat. 8 p.m. Tom Trovas
Sun. 7 p.m. Princeton Bluegrass Jam
Starbucks Coffee   (Trenton Community Store) 
102 South Warren Street Trenton  
(609) 393-0261  
Sat. 3 p.m. Open Mic   
Stone Terrace by John Henry's   
2275 Kuser Road Hamilton   
(609) 581-8855  
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Jeremy Fund "Annual Holiday Cocktail Party" w/ DJ AJ and Meg Hansen Band feat. Billy Hill. $85 (Includes open bar, hors d'oueuvres, dinner buffet, dessert)  
1867 Sanctuary     
101 Scotch Road Ewing     
(609) 392-6409  
Fri. 8 p.m. Chip Mergott. $20
Sat. (2 p.m.) "Let's Duet for the Holidays" w/ Bridgette & Scott Johnson. $20 (8 p.m.) Clipper Erickson & Rise Erickson. $20
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Love Came Down" w/ Glassbrook and Princeton Girl Choir. $20
Tara's Tavern    
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown     
(609) 286-2300     
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Sat. 10 p.m. Ernie & Lisa
Tavern On The Lake      
101 Main Street Hightstown     
(609) 426-9345     
Fri. 9 p.m. After The Flood
Sat. 9 p.m. War Hammer
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
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia w/ Righteous Jolly  
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Cara Cartney
Tessara's 
812 Route 33 Hamilton 
(609) 584-1700
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke
The Birdhouse Center For The Arts   
7 North Main Street Lambertville   
(215) 681-4660  
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Not Just Nyckleharpa Orchestra
The Cool Cricket     
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro     
(609) 291-9110     
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke     
Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse
The Cure Insurance Center     
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton     
(609) 656-3200     
Check website for upcoming events     
The Deck Restaurant and Bar @ the Bucks County Playhouse
70 South Main street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2121
Thurs. (2 p.m.) Sam Ryan (7 p.m.) Aidan Holtz
Fri. 2 p.m. Sam Ryan 
Sat. 9 p.m. CJ Steinway
Sun. 6 p.m. Matt Gordeuk
The Dubliner   
34 North Main Street New Hope, PA   
(215) 693-1816   
Fri. 7 p.m. King Brothers
Sat. 7 p.m. Andrew Koontz & Bill O'Neal
Sun. 2 p.m. "Traditional Irish Session" Hosted by Dave Miller
The Five Four Bar & Grill   
8919 New Falls Road Levittown, PA   
(215) 547-5525   
Fri. 9 p.m. Union
Sat. 9:30 p.m. The Fredz      
The HOB Tavern     
146 Second Street Bordentown     
(609) 291-7020     
Fri. 8 p.m. DJ Entertainment   
Sun. 1 p.m. Open Circle   
Wed. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night
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. DJ Darius the 1st
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv    
Wed. 10 p.m. DJ Dujour
The Pines Tavern     
6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA     
(215) 788-1659     
Sat. 9 p.m. Joe & Krista
The Record Collector     
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown     
(609) 324-0880     
Sat. 8 p.m. John Ford Band Christmas Show. All ages, doors open at 7:30 p.m., $20 (Advance)
The Roost     
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge     
(609) 208-0050   
Fri. 8 p.m. Diablo Sandwich Band
Sat. 8 p.m. Sideways Willy
Sun. 4 p.m. Dick Gratton
The Sticky Wicket     
2465 South Broad Street Hamilton     
(609) 439-0007    
Fri. 9 p.m. Small Potatoes Band
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke   
The Sycamore Grill     
255 North Sycamore Street Newtown, PA     
(215) 908-6326     
Thurs. 8 p.m. Dan Ward
Fri. 8 p.m. Catch 22
Sat. 8 p.m. Monique and RJ
The Union Firehouse  
18 Washington Street Mount Holly  
(609) 288-6491  
Thurs. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour (8 p.m.) Zoo Trippin'
Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour w/ Sara James (7 p.m.) Billy Hector Band
Sat. (5 p.m.) Happy Hour (8 p.m.) Billy Walton Band
Sun. 5 p.m. Country Line dancing w/ Jeremy Duncan
The Vibe Lounge at Mastoris
Route 130 and Route 206 Bordentown
(609) 298-4650
Thurs. 5 p.m. Dave Boucher
Fri. 7 p.m. Joe Stefori
Sat. 6 p.m. Tymes2
Tindall Road Brewing Co.
102 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown   
(609) 526-8651    
Fri. 7 p.m. Anker
Sat. 7 p.m. Skelly
Tir Na Nog     
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton     
(609) 392-2554   
Fri. 9 p.m. Diarmuid MacSuighne, Kevin McCloskey, Patrick Piper
Sat. 9 p.m. Billy Walsh
Wed. 9 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Monk & Monk
All Shows 21+    
Train Wreck Distillery
25 Madison Avenue Mount Holly
(609) 288-6300
Sat. 7 p.m. John N' Pat Duo
Trenton Buzz     
702 Pine Street Trenton     
(609) 392-6000     
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.     
Sat. 10 p.m. "Buzzed Saturdays" w/ Bockman   
Trenton Social      
449 South Broad Street Trenton     
(609) 989-7777    
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Happy Hour" Hosted by Jay Kountree  
Fri. 7 p.m. "First Friday"
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night
Triple Sun Spirits  
126 South State Street Newtown, PA  
(215) 944-3057  
Sun. 2 p.m. Holiday Cocktail Class w/ Ashara
Wed. 7 p.m. "Painting with a Twist" 
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)     
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.     
(215) 862-8300     
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia   
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage
All shows 21+   
VFW Post 491  
9 Fisher Place Yardville  
(609) 585-9645   
Fri. 8 p.m. Karaoke
All shows ages 21+  
Villa Rosa Ristorante & Pizzeria  
41 Scotch Road Ewing  
(609) 882-6841  
Sat. 6 p.m. Grace Field  
Wildflowers Inn     
2572 Pennington Road Pennington     
(609) 773-2392     
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Night     
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia    
Working Dog Winery     
610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown     
(609) 371-6000 
Sat. 1 p.m. Williamsboy
Yardley Inn Restaurant & Bar   
82 East Afton Avenue Yardley, PA   
(215) 493-3800   
Sat. 8 p.m. Mike Meade


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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WP

WP Percussion Ensemble

Tuesday, December 03, 2024 @ 7:30pm
William Paterson University - Shea Auditorium
300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470
category: music

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Indigo

Indigo Girls

Tuesday, December 03, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music

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Tuesday

Tuesday Night Record Club - Queen, A Night at the Opera

Tuesday, December 03, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Monmouth University - Lauren K. Woods Theatre
370 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music

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The

The Sensational Soul Cruisers: Destination Soultown Holiday Show

Tuesday, December 03, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music

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EVENT PREVIEWS

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Jane Lynch's "A Swingin' Little Christmas" on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winning actress is joined by Kate Flannery, Tim Davis, and The Tony Guerrero Quintet. Doors are at 6:00pm; Showtime is 7:00pm.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

(NEWARK, NJ) -- This Fall, AG Touring and Mammoth, Inc. proudly present the Rod Wave - Last Lap Tour. This large-scale multi-city outing will feature Rod Wave headlining 36 of North America's top arenas coast-to-coast. The tour will kick off on October 19 at Desert Diamond Arena in Phoenix, AZ visiting major markets across the country, including Newark’s Prudential Center on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 with special guests Moneybagg Yo, Toosii, Lil Poppa, Dess Dior and Eelmatic.


Outpost

Outpost in the Burbs presents Robyn Hitchcock

2024-10-26 to 2025-10-26


Grunin

Grunin Center presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's Wild and Swingin' Holiday Party

2024-12-04


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