ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...12/7/17

By Danny Coleman
originally published: 12/07/2017

There was a curious quiet which fell over Asbury Park New Jersey's Wonder Bar as ALA.NI took the stage with her guitarist on this evening. A quiet which gave way to a full blown hush as this powerful siren hit the first notes of her original song, "Cherry Blossom." 

With outstretched arms and a gracious smile, this British born, French raised performer ended her opening number to raucous applause and dropped jaws as the local denizens (usually more accustomed to the Jersey shore rock sound) easily became putty in her hands. 

ALA.NI's brand of vocal styling seems suited more for a piano bar or perhaps a cocktail hour but on this night she won over a whole new fan base with not only her music but her personality as well. "Ol' Fashioned Kiss," was next and much in the manner of the first offering instantly quieted the crowd; does the phrase,"You could hear a pin drop" sound familiar? That's perhaps the best description, as from this reviewers vantage point seated at the bar, only the dull hum of beverage coolers could be heard, not a soul dared speak for fear they'd break the spell which was being cast. 

Her next offering was, "Suddenly" and as if it were a subliminal message, those in attendance reacted in step with the title as the room seemed to take a collective breath or perhaps maybe more of a gasp as this now comfortable Brit began hitting her stride. 

"Roses and Wine" was next giving way to, "One Heart" and "Darkness at Noon," the last two provoking smiles and outright laughter as she stopped in the middle of the latter to compose herself. Nobody seemed to mind and most laughed along with her her as her personality shined and her likability factor increased exponentially as her vulnerability endeared her even more so to the captivated attendees.

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ALA.NI continued her assault on our sense of time with, "To The River" followed by, "Circle" as most were now lost in a hopeless sway, seemingly transported to wherever their individual journeys would take them. 

"Does anyone have a book? It doesn't matter any book," she blurted; instantly breaking the trance she had woven only seconds before. What happened next was both funny and spontaneous as she turned someone's journal or pocketbook manual into a song; enhanced by the talents of her guitarist whose grace was on full display all evening. Raising, lowering and using great voice technique, she turned a mundane few paragraphs into a work of art.

A moment of indecision seemed to delay the proceedings but on this night it went mostly unnoticed as she introduced her last song, a Richie Havens tune called, "Run Shaker Life." Thanking all who were thirsting for more, she implored them to sway and sing along as she belted it out in a fashion that was sure to have Havens himself smiling down upon her. 

This was the initial stop on her first full tour of the east coast of the U.S and she kicked it off right. After her set she gladly signed merchandise, chatted with new fans and was just as engaging off stage as on. Suddenly the hum of the beer coolers faded into the murmur of the crowd and ALA.NI did as well; perhaps concocting another set of spellbinding tunes for her next stop? One can not be sure but one thing is certain, she's more than capable of doing so. 

To discover more about ALA.NI, just put her name in the search bar and she'll be at your finger tips. 

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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Alchemist & Barrister 
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Wed. 10 p.m. Paul Plumeri Blues Band

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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. Open Mic. Hosted by Shaun Ruymen

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Bowman's Tavern
1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 7 p.m. David Dales Trio
Fri. 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. Michael Long
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo

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Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room
19 E. Union Street Burlington
(609) 733-3562
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Sara M
Sat. 6 p.m. "Rock Out For Puerto Rico & The US Virgin Islands" feat. Vital Stats, Forest View Movement, CHB + Joe, DJ K Fry, (TBA). FREE Admission

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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) 
Sun. 4 p.m. Cosmic Krewe feat. Michael Ray and Laranah Phipps. (Two drink minimum no cover)
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
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. Freddy Unreal

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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. One Hot Mess
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Billy Walton
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. Dane Rosenfeld
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Funky Friday Happy Hour" (9 p.m.) Mia Johnson
Sat. (8 a.m.) Jeff Selby (10 a.m.) "Santa Brunch" feat. Michael Leggerie 
Sun. 11 a.m. "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Dana Collins
Wed. 8 p.m. Julian Rosso

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Freddies Tavern
12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. The Zone
Sat. 8 p.m. JB Rocks
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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Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA. 
(215) 862-9897
Fri. (8:30 p.m.) Hot D  (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (1 p.m./3 p.m./5 p.m.) School of Rock "End of Season Showcase." (8:30 p.m.) Cherry Crush (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 3 p.m. John Eddie All Ages Christmas Show. Doors at 2 p.m., $15 (Adults) $10 (Kids)
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local & Original Music" Hosted by Pat Foran w/ "Nytrous Holiday Party" feat. Eric Sollenberger, Amy Dee, Jay Regan, Nytrous

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Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn
15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night

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Hopewell Valley Vineyards
46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Craig Leach
Fri. 6 p.m. Acoustic DouVer
Sat. 6 p.m. Toby Mochel and a Few Good Men
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Thieves & Poets

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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
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Steamboat Annie
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. Terry Rivel
Sat. 1 p.m. Lefty Mann
Sun. 2 p.m. Jerry Steele & Lisa Bouchelle

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Ivy Tavern 
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Tom Trovos band
Sat. 9 p.m. Smoked Ice
Tues. 7 p.m. Teddy Z "Holiday" Jam
All shows 21+

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Jake's Eatery 
869 Bustleton Pike Richboro, PA
(215) 322-6787
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Ladies Night"
Sat. 9 p.m. Matt Sevier
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. Weeping Love Grass / The Plibmen
Fri. 9 p.m. Spitune
Sat. (3 p.m.) Ellie Spy (9:30 p.m.) St. James & the Apostles
Sun. (3 p.m.) Basement Noise (9:30 p.m.) Philadelphia Soul Society
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic.
Tues. "Holiday Arts & Crafts show"
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+

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Jo-Jo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton 
(609) 586-2678
Sat. 10 p.m. Radio Fiction

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Killarney's Publick House
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Jimmy G

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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. (12 p.m.) "Santa, Sangria and Shopping" (1 p.m.) The Bergers
Sun. 2 p.m. Atlantic Brass Band "Holiday Concert"
Wed. 6 p.m. Girls Night Out "Holiday Centerpiece Making"

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Mama Flora's Trattoria & Catering 
1750 North Olden Avenue Extension Ewing
(609) 434-1188
Sat. 6 p.m. Bryan Hill

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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
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Asylum Choir
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. "Far Beyond Giving" feat. Pantera Tribute w/ Unscarred (Final Appearance), Metallica Tribute w/ Orion, Defenders Of Faith. Ages 21+, $5 or FREE admission w/ a non-perishable food item or new unwrapped toy.
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike

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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
Sat. 8 p.m. Don McLean. Doors at 7 p.m., $70 / $120 ($120 includes complimentary bottle of wine, hors d' oeuvre plate and premium seating)

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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. Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave
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
Fri. 9 p.m. The Suspects
All shows 21 +

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Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Ernie White & Tom Reock
Sat. 9:30 p.m.bliss
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke

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Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Sat. 7:30/9:30 p.m. Tommy Conwell. (Rescheduled from 10/28 all tickets honored). All ages, Doors at 7 p.m., $15

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Rossi's Bar & Grill
2110 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 890-2004
Thurs. 7 p.m. Ernie White

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Salt Creek Grille
1 Rockingham Row Princeton
(609) 419-4200
Fri. 8 p.m. Carol Selick
Sat. 8 p.m. Charles Clarke

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Small World Coffee
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-4377 x2
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Mr Chris & Alley
Sun. 7 p.m. Princeton Bluegrass Jam

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1867 Sanctuary 
101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 7 p.m. Open Song Night "Handel's Messiah" w/ The Central Jersey Choral Society. $10 (Suggested Donation)
Sat. 8 p.m. Vin Downes & Trevor Gordon Hall. $20
Sun. 3 p.m. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" The Jazz Music of Vince Guaraldi w/ the Eric Mintel Quartet. $20

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Tara's Tavern 
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Ned Ryerson & the Groundhogs
Sat. 10 p.m. Psycho Misfits

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Tavern On The Lake
101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 10 p.m. Pretty Baby
Sat. 9 p.m. Vince Sasso Band
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. (TBA)
Sat. 7 p.m. Anders Hyatt
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. Einstein Bridge

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The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
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 Darius
Sat. 10 p.m. Seth Tieger
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 Pines Tavern
6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. Beg Op Reunion Show
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. (6 p.m.) Hedda Lettuce: "Lettuce rejoice! An Explosive holiday Spectacular" (9 p.m.) Michael Ferreri (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 7 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 8 p.m. "Bearlesque" 
Wed. 7 p.m. Dena Underwood

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The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Check Website for upcoming events

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The Roost 
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050 
Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse

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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)
Sat. 9 p.m. No Way Out
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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The Sycamore Grill
255 North Sycamore Street Newtown, PA
(215) 908-6326
Fri. 8 p.m. TheDadz

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Tir Na Nog 
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Diarmuid MacSuibhne
Sat. 9 p.m. Billy Walsh
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. (7 p.m.) "What's Next? A Rockin' Happy Hour" Hosted by Danny Coleman feat. the music of Jerry Monk. (9 p.m.) Open Mic Night Hosted by Jerry Monk
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

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Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Rich Scanella. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Los Bastardos w/ Members of Good Old War. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night. (Sign ups are at 6:30 p.m.) 
All shows 21+ 

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Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 10 p.m. Lauren Marsh
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
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
Ages 21+

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About the author:

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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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