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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...2/21/19


By Danny Coleman

originally published: 02/21/2019

Damon Johnson may or may not be a household name to some but to others such as Alice Cooper, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Brother Cane and Black Star Riders he is very well known. 

Forming his first band while in the eighth grade, this guitarist from Alabama grew into larger roles as both a performer and songwriter. He has written material that has been recorded by Stevie Nicks and Carlos Santana, toured with the aforementioned  Alice Cooper and Thin Lizzy and also opened for legendary rockers Judas Priest.

However, it's what he's done recently that is grabbing the attention of music fans the world over. Johnson has just returned home from a previewing of his new and soon to be released disc titled, "Memoirs Of An Uprising." A recent show in New York City at the famed Iridium left Damon feeling rather confident that his decision to become a solo artist is one that he no longer needs to question.

"We had so much fun! The Iridium is such a legendary venue, it's the perfect place for a band like mine," he stated with enthusiasm. "We're definitely a rock band, we can lean almost hard rock but there's a lot of dynamics in what we do. Everybody is a pro so we were able to get the volume to a place where the songs were still the feature. My voice felt great and I just felt like the songs came off fantastic and I would love, in a perfect world to play that room at least once or maybe twice a year. I can't love that venue more, it was great and I hope we'll be back soon. It was really humbling to be inside the radiating glow of that with all of those photos on the wall, Pete TownsendTony Bennett, Les Paul, it was just great."

"I wasn't really sure what this whole thing was going to be. I had no way of knowing at the time that this would be the catalyst that would motivate me to simply go it on my own and be a solo artist. Some of the lyrical themes throughout the record came from some real life experiences and there were maybe some moments where I felt, OK maybe I don't need to reveal this much or I don't know if I can even touch on this but it was fun and that might be too light of a word (laughs) but it was fun to start a song maybe with something that you really experienced and then in the second verse introduce a whole other character or a whole other scene that was completely fabricated in my mind but wow it made for a great story or a great song; it has lines to keep it interesting. I'm really into that kind of songwriting so yeah, it did help my confidence, I think all of us are insecure at times, all of us are uncertain. I guess that's the fulfillment for any artist whether you're a painter or a sculptor or a composer; you've got to start with something and in the beginning you don't know for sure what it's ultimately going to become. I think that's why "Shivering" was so important; it was a big jolt of energy and confidence into the concept that the album ultimately became." 



 


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"Shivering Shivering" is the first track and coincidentally the first single he's released from the forthcoming disc. Johnson explained how important this was to the development of the overall product; not to mention the importance of having a friend that you can count on.

"Shivering Shivering," when I started having a stack of ideas, sort of getting the schematics of this album started; I reached out to a longtime friend named Jim Troglin; stage name, "Johnny Blade." We grew up together in the Birmingham rotten music scene in the early 90's, even before Brother Cane was put together. Our kids have grown up together, our wives are best friends, so it's that kind of thing. I reached out to him, told him what I was thinking and he immediately got excited; we began bouncing ideas back and forth and very early in the process, "Shivering Shivering" came together quite quickly. Something in me kind of felt like a jolt of rocket fuel into the whole concept of the completed album; I thought man this is the track to really build everything from. This just felt like whatever the story was that we were going to tell over the course of these 10 or 11 songs or however many it was going to evolve into; that one gave me beyond confidence to forge ahead. I don't know about other songwriters but it's nice to have that one track that can kind of be the launch pad or the pivot song that makes you say, OK we've got this, this is special, this has elements of it that are undeniable. That's a great feeling as an artist or a writer and I'm really grateful to Jim because we talked about a lot of things and he doesn't live here in Nashville, he's about 100 miles south of here but I'd send him a track of music or a few words and he would bounce it back; we did a lot of this work via computer and telephone. So "Shivering Shivering" was early on and got me really excited without a doubt." 

Some artists have a title or a concept for a record even before they've written a word or formed a melody; others like Johnson complete the work and then figure out the packaging later.

"Memoirs of an Uprising," the title came after all of the songs were finished. I remember that I was riding around in my truck and listening to the second group of mixes and thinking that everything sounded great and that I needed to come up with a title. There's some great titles to some of the songs and I thought, OK we'll just pick a song title and that's what we'll call the record. Then I started listening to it in its entirety and I felt like there was a thread of some kind; I think these songs can all be consumed in one listen. So if somebody has got 38 minutes to spare they can listen to all 10 of these songs, they kind of take you some place; it's not a concept record by any means but there was something there. I wanted to come up with something that I felt covered it and that word memoirs popped into my head. Then I was reading a book that Patti Smith had written, an incredible book called, "Just Kids" about her experiences when she first came to New York and was trying to become a legit poet and I'm sure I had seen that word in her book and it kind of inspired that. Then Johnny Blade, I think he said the word uprising and I thought we can't call it that because that's that famous Bob Marley record and I'd not be so bold as to do that and then it all kind of just rolled off the tongue. The record does kind of cover some dark themes, some challenges and some learning and it all kind of ends in a good place, a productive place and it kind of has a good resolve. I wouldn't call it a happy ending but definitely a place where you say, I've learned a lot from all this rough stuff and I've learned a lot from these experiences. I'm sorry to sound therapeutic or like a marriage counselor right now (laughs) but I felt the title was perfect for these ten songs; once I said those four words there was no talking me out of it. I'm really proud of it, there's no question that this is a moment of growth and change in my musical life and artist career. I'd rather it be a coming up or an uprising instead of just a lateral move into something else that maybe I've done before."

Damon is no stranger to success or past tours with some of Rock's elite and when asked, he is very appreciative of the experience he's gained as he attests from a recent jaunt across the continent with Judas Priest.

"I had a blast, had the best time. I've got so much respect for that band, for everything that they've accomplished and everything that they stand for, they treated us like family. I first encountered them when we were doing Thin Lizzy in 2011 and 2012; we crossed paths with Judas Priest and we did a few dates in Germany as we were getting Black Star Riders off the ground. So to get to do a whole tour with them, especially in North America; one of the biggest disappointments for me was that we didn't feel like we were able to move the needle much with Black Star Riders in North America. The people who know about it really dig it but there were just not that many of them. So to get the opportunity to go out and open for them in some big rooms; we couldn't have dreamed of a better opportunity."

Johnson's list of accomplishments is long and storied but as previously stated, "Moving the needle" here in the U.S isn't often that easy. What does he feel is the cause of this and how does he plan on combating it?



 
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"There's so many more distractions for music fans here than there are in other countries. Think about it, if you live in the UK you're not also being marketed to Country bands or even really Hip-Hop; they're on the radar but everything is really kind of separate here and those are such big genres. There are so many millions of people who listen to just Country and it doesn't spill over into Rock or other things; it makes it tough there's no doubt about it. The bad news for everybody is Rock 'N' Roll had its day when it was a cultural touchstone and it influenced style and politics and all kinds of things, it doesn't do that anymore; does that mean its dead? Absolutely not, you can go see a great Rock show any night of the week. The last time I checked Guns N' Roses just sold out stadiums all over North America so there are definitely people buying tickets to go see Rock 'N' Roll. So you just have to evolve, you have to adapt and find ways to continue to do what you love. There's no question, I'm always going to play Rock music, I don't care where it is on the hit list or the popular list, I'm going to do what I love."

Since he has performed with and written for some of the genre's largest stars, Damon has a broad view of the current music climate as well as how difficult it is today to be heard. Bands don't seem to have the longevity of their predecessors but he feels that of they just stay true to the task at hand eventually someone will take notice. 

"I look at it a bit definitely; there's no question that there are great artists and bands out there. I think it's more to do with them trying to grow their product at a time where it's more difficult than ever to launch a new band in any genre. I think if you can build it organically and build it right in the region where you're from is the best way to get it started. If you're going to get big, you're going to need a major record company and the major record companies in 2019 are only interested in bands that move the needle and that right now is only Pop and Hip-Hop. Yes, Nashville still has Country music and there's some talented young artists coming out of there but even there; who is the new Garth Brooks? I don't know, the internet has changed everything; there's some really good things about it and there's some really challenging things about it. It's certainly a challenge for me but I just look at it more like a task rather than a challenge. My task every day is to spread the word about Damon Johnson, his music, his story, his resume. There are millions of people who have never heard of me, ever; for all of the things I've done and as long as I've been around, the large majority of the world has never heard of me; much less North America has no idea who I am. So you just have to work hard and take any opportunity that you get to get in front of people, to talk about your record, to play it on acoustic guitar, to give it away on streaming, whatever it takes to try and build your audience. There's certainly people doing it, it's different, there's no doubt about it; it's definitely a different time and I think it is survival of the fittest. If you're going to survive you have to adapt and sometimes you have to put your paws up and keep the detractors away and keep the noise out of your head and stay focused on what you're doing."

"Memoirs Of An Uprising" is scheduled for release on March 8, 2019 and there is even going to be a limited edition red vinyl pressing for those who want to go that route. So what does Damon plan to do to support the album once out? Will there be a tour and will it be of any length?

"it's going to kind of be perpetual performing because this is a new thing for me and because I just stepped out of steady gig with another band it's going to take me a minute to get the thing up to the point where I could have my agent and my team say, look lets draw a big circle around these three months, it's nine months away but this will be the big tour, this is what we're going to do. I think that's another thing that's really changed for bands; you just don't set it up like you used to. You don't say, OK the record is coming out so we've got to have 10 weeks of shows booked; we're going to play Canada, then the Northeast, then the Southwest. We are just going to kind of be weekend warriors, that's one of the things I love about living in Nashville,you see that example particularly for the Country bands, that's how they work most of the time. That allows me to be home with my family, spend time with my kids, write more songs and record more as opposed to perpetually being on the road."

When he does go on the road, Johnson tends to mix it up a little bit with some shows being more acoustic than electric and then just the opposite but one thing which has been consistent for him over the last several years is his band. 

"I have an amazing band, my drummer Jarred Pope I've known for 12 years now, Tony Higbee on guitar and Tony Nagy on bass. It's really wild but almost out of nowhere we've done three recordings together. They played on my EP, my live record last year and now "Memoirs of an Uprising," for me to have players of their caliber committed to investing their time with me is really humbling and I don't take that for granted and they want to stay busy and I want to keep them busy because I want to keep them around." 

To discover more about Damon Johnson or pre-order "Memoirs Of An Uprising" please visit www.damonjohnson.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


Alchemist & Barrister   
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton   
(609) 924-5555   
Thurs. "Pasta and Sinatra Night"   
Wed. 10 p.m. (TBA)  
Arts Council of Princeton   
102 Witherspoon Street Princeton   
(609) 924-8777  
Sat. 7 p.m. Cafe Improv. $2
Artworks Trenton 
19 Everett Alley Trenton 
(609) 394-9436
Sat. 12/3 p.m. YAL "I Am More Than" 
Bill's Olde Tavern   
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton   
(609) 586-0192   
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia   
Ages 21+   
Blend Bar & Bistro   
911 Highway 33 Hamilton   
(609) 245-8887  
Sun. 7 p.m. Karaoke 
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia  Jam   
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke  
Bowman's Tavern   
1600 River Road New Hope, PA   
(215) 862-2972   
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Neil Podgurski Trio 
Fri. (4 p.m.) Ottmar (8 p.m.) Bob Egan
Sat. 7 p.m. Jean Therapy
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar) (6 p.m.) Lorenzo 
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Ryan Shubert
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room   
19 E. Union Street Burlington   
(609) 733-3562  
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Mike Phills
Wed. 7 p.m. Quizzoholics
Broken Goblet Brewing 
1500 Grundy Lane Bristol, PA 
(267) 812-5653 
Thurs. 8 p.m. Mike Estabrook
Sun. 1 p.m. Chili Contest Benefiting "One Love Animal Rescue." $20 (Includes tasting, one beer and souvenir glass)
Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo from the Darkside
BSB Gallery 
143 East State Street (Suite 4) Trenton 
(609) 599-3268 
Thurs.-Sat. 11 a.m. "Common Threads Sanctuary 7"
BT Restaurant & Tavern
2031 Route 130 South Burlington   
(609) 499-1355   
Fri. 9 p.m. Kevin Toft & The Alternators
Sat. 7 p.m. Acoustic Explorer
Caffe Galleria 
23 North Union Street Lambertville 
(609) 397-2400 
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine tasting Dinner'
Candlelight Lounge   
24 Passaic Street Trenton   
(609) 695-9612   
Thurs. 6 p.m. Thursday Night Blues Jam 
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) 
Cedar Gardens
661 Route 33 Hamilton
(609) 931-9464
Sat. 8 p.m. The Nerds. Ages 21+, $20
Championship Bar 
931 Chambers street Trenton 
(609) 396-5457 
Mon. 8 p.m. "Art Chill Night" 
Tuesday 8 p.m. "Jam Night" Hosted by Nikki & Caleb 
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   
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Rick Winow
Common Sense Brewing 
102 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown 
(609) 526-8651 
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Radio Fiction
Continental Tavern 
2 North Main Street Yardley, PA 
(215) 493-9191 
Fri. 9 p.m. Bob & Kate
Sat. 9 p.m. Mike & Laura Tusay
Diamond's of Hamilton   
661 Route 33 Hamilton   
(609) 981-7900   
Fri. (6 p.m.) Joanna Noelle Caruso (10 p.m.) DJ Frank Oliveti 
Sat. (6 p.m.) Tara Woodcock (10 p.m.) DJ Frank Oliveti
Sun. 12 p.m. "Disco Brunch" w/ DJ Ron Meisner. $25 (Includes tax/gratuity, buffet) 
Dog & Bull Brew House   
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.   
(215) 788-2855   
Sat. 11 a.m. "Saturday Brunch" 
Sun. 11 a.m "Sunday Brunch" 
Fedora Bistro Cafe 
2633 Main Street Lawrenceville 
(609) 895-0844 
 Wed. 6 p.m. Jerry Monk
Frans Pub 
116 South Main Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-5539 
Fri. 8 p.m. Full Grown Men
Sat. 9 p.m. Walking Dead
Sun. 2 p.m. CC Colleti
Freddies Tavern  
12 Railroad Avenue Ewing   
(609) 882-0978  
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Country Night" Hosted by Jeremy Line Dance. (FREE event)
Fri. 9 p.m. Rich Scanella Group
Sat. 9 p.m. Paul Plumeri Blues Band
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Joe Vadala, Falcey & Marc Hoffman
Greenhouse
90 South Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 693-1657
Sat. 9 p.m. Karmic Repair Company
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 
Grover's Mill Coffee House   
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction   
(609) 716-8771   
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker 
Halo Pub 
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square 
(609) 586-1811 
Sat. 7 p.m. Rich Casella Duo
Hamilton Tap & Grill
557 US Route 130 North Hamilton
(609) 905-0925
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 8 p.m. "Game Of Thrones" Trivia Challenge
Havana New Hope  
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.   
(215) 862-9897  
Fri. (8 p.m.) A Tribute to U2 w/ "UV" Doors open at 6 p.m., $35 (11 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (8:30 p.m) Buzzer Band (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 6 p.m. JB Kline Blues Band
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke 
Tues. 8 p.m. Funk 'N' Blues Jam Hosted by Sidewinder Blues Band
Wed. 8 p.m.  "Local Original Music Showcase" Hosted by Pat Foran feat. Regina Goldy, Carlsea
Hopewell Theater    
5 South Greenwood Avenue Hopewell   
(609) 466-1964 
Sat. 8 p.m. Willie Nile / Mark Jonson & Co. of Dreams Unlimited. $39.45, $46.92, $48.51
Sun. 8 p.m. "Silver Screen Awards Party" w/ Costume Party. Doors open at 7 p.m., costume participants please arrive at 7:30 p.m., $25.52 (Watch the Oscars)
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn   
15 East Broad Street Hopewell   
(609) 466-9889
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. Trivia Night w/ Chris Singh
Fri. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Catmoondaddy
Sat. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Silent Q
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Hopewell Valley Vineyards Jazz Ensemble
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill   
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA   
(267) 914-4517   
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher   
Sat. 9 p.m. The Fredz
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam   
Irish Rover Station House
1033 Bellevue Avenue Langhorne, PA
(215) 970-5412
Fri. 9:30 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Stem Live
Sun. 3 p.m. "Acoustic Sundays"
Tues. 7:30 p.m. "Paint & Sip"
Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo
Iron Plow Vineyards   
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus   
(732) 306-9111   
Fri. 6 p.m. Victor Tarassov
Sat. 1 p.m. The Grouser Girls
Sun. 2 p.m. Larry Archer
Ivy Tavern   
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton   
(609) 888-1435   
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke   
Fri. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
Sat. 9 p.m. South Side Wanders
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. The MayFlys / The Rips
Fri. 9 p.m. Keith Kenny
Sat. (3 p.m.) Trip Dogs (9:30 p.m.) Wig Party
Sun. (3 p.m.) Miss Pumpkin's Drag Show (9:30 p.m.) The Dirty Grass Players
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic
Tues. 9 p.m. Staff & Locals "Holiday Party"
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational   
All shows 21+  
JoJo's Tavern 
2677 Nottingham Way Mercerville 
(609) 586-2678 
Sat. 10 p.m. Tour de Force
Killarney's Publick House   
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton  
(609) 586-1166  
Thurs. "Girls Night Out" (5 p.m.) Radio Fiction Duo (7 p.m.) "Battle of the Bartenders" 
Sun. 10 a.m. "Sunday Brunch"
Mon. 7 p.m. "Paint Nite" Plant Night
Wed. 8 p.m. Drop the Beat Bingo 
Laurita Winery   
85 Archertown Road New Egypt   
(609) 752-0200 
Thurs. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out" 
Fri. 7 p.m. Country Line Dancing
Sat. 12 p.m. "Mardi Gras Celebration" 
Sun. 12 p.m. "Mardi Gras Celebration" (1 p.m.) Blue Jersey Band
Logan Inn  
10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA   
(215) 862-2300 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Rob Tait
Fri. 7 p.m. Chin & Blum
Sat. 7:30 p.m. John Beacher
Sun. 11 a.m. "Jazz Brunch" feat. Dave Dales
Marcellos Coal Fired Restaurant & Pizza 
206 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
(609) 298-8360 
Sun. 10 a.m. "Blues Brunch"  feat. Tom Craig
McGuinn's Place   
1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence   
(609) 392-0599  
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Hip Hop Thursdays" w/ Enki
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. 8 p.m. Sentinental Music Presents: Mesmeria, Infinity, BYB, Agents of Aggression. Ages 21+, $5
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike 
Wed. 9 p.m. "Karaoke Time" w/ Kirchner Entertainment
Millhill Basement   
300 S. Broad Street Trenton   
(609) 989-1600 
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase 
New Hope Winery  
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 794-2331 
Fri. 8 p.m. Chuck Prophet. Doors open at 7 p.m., $25
Sat. 8 p.m. Mary Fahl. Doors open at 7 p.m., $35
New Jersey WeedMan's Joint 
322 East State Street Trenton 
(609) 437-0898 
Fri. 8 p.m. "420 Meet & Smoke Black Market Networking Event"
Sat. 8 p.m. "Chronic Stoner Days" w/ Rebel DJ 
Sun. 4:20 p.m. "Sugar Magnolia Sundaze" feat. Lazy Lightning (Grateful Dead Tribute)
Wed. 8 p.m. "420 Game Night"
Nook's PourHouse   
2043 Route 130 South Florence   
(609) 447-0927 
Sat. 9 p.m. Gypsy Mother
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics   
Nottingham Tavern   
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square   
(609) 587-6623   
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave   
Fri. 9 p.m. Paul Plumeri Blues Band
Sat. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
Ages 21+   
Old Town Pub   
135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown   
(609) 291-9232  
Thurs. 8 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia 
Fri. 9 p.m. Bitonti Boys
Sat. 9 p.m. Bud, Maggs & Steve
Palermo's Of Hamilton   
310 Klockner Road Hamilton   
(609) 838-7979   
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke  
All shows 21 + 
Patriots Crossing   
1339 River Road Titusville   
(609) 737-2780  
Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Sean Cavalier
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo     
Pete's Steak House   
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton   
(609) 585-8008   
Fri. 10 p.m. John Bushnell & Ernie White
Plumsted Grill
457 Route 539 Cream Ridge 
(609) 758-5552
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Lisa Biuchelle & Ernie White
Randy Now's Man Cave 
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown   
(609) 424-3766  
Sat. 8 p.m. Jeffrey Gaines. $25 (SOLD OUT Check for ticket availability)
Richboro Coffee
130 Almshouse Road #205 Richboro, PA
(215) 322-6800
Sun. 12:30 p.m. Coffee Roasting & Espresso Making. 
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. Audio Pilot Trio
Salt Creek Grille   
1 Rockingham Row Princeton   
(609) 419-4200   
Fri. 8 p.m. Party Of 3
Sat. 8 p.m. Tim Brent
Small World Coffee   
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton   
(609) 924-4377 x2 
Sat. 8 p.m. The Blurry Minds
Sportsman's Pub 
819 Lalor Street Hamilton 
(609) 393-4464 
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
Starbucks Coffee (Trenton Community Store)
102 South Warren Street Trenton
(609) 393-0261
Sat. 3 p.m. Open Mic
1867 Sanctuary   
101 Scotch Road Ewing   
(609) 392-6409 
Fri. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night (FREE admission)
Sat. 8 p.m. Mardi Gras Jazz w/ Jive, Jump and Wail.
Sun. (2 p.m.) "Chamber Music" w/ Dennis Krasnokutsky and Maja Rajkovic (6:30 p.m.) "Let Me Stand" w/ Glassbrook Vocal Ensemble 
Tara's Tavern  
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown   
(609) 286-2300   
Fri. 10 p.m. Billy Hector
Sat. 10 p.m. Psycho Misfits
Tavern On The Lake   
101 Main Street Hightstown   
(609) 426-9345   
Fri. 9 p.m. Black Zeppelin
Sat. 9 p.m. Quartet of Catastrophe
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night   
Temperance House   
5 South State Street Newtown, PA   
(215) 944-8050   
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Open Mic Hosted by Steve Guyger   
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo  
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road Princeton
(609) 924-2310
Sun. 1 p.m. "Winery Sunday Music Series" feat. James Popik
The Cool Cricket   
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro   
(609) 291-9110   
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke   
Sat. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir
The Cure Insurance Center   
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton   
(609) 656-3200   
Check website for upcoming events   
The Dubliner 
34 North Main Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 693-1816 
Fri. 7 p.m. Andrew Koontz & Bill O'Neal
Sat. 7:30 p.m. M & RJ Acoustic Duo
Sun. 3 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. Stems & Seeds
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Se7en
Wed. 7 p.m. "Lyrical Conundrums" w/ Cara & Righteous    
The HOB Tavern   
146 Second Street Bordentown   
(609) 291-7020   
Fri. 8 p.m. DJ Entertainment 
Tues 9 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. The Polish Nannies
Sat. 10 p.m. T.S. Project
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv   
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron   
The Pines Tavern   
6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA   
(215) 788-1659   
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Sister Blue w/ Mark Fuhrman
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.  
The RRazz Room (Clarion Hotel) 
6426 Lower York Road New Hope, PA 
(888) 596-1027 
Sat. 8 p.m. "Behind the Scenes & Inside Stories" Q & A/Meet and Greet w/ Burton Gilliam. $25 (Additional $20 minimum per person inside)
The Roost   
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge   
(609) 208-0050 
Sat. 8 p.m. Nicole & Denise
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke 
The Sticky Wicket   
2465 South Broad Street Hamilton   
(609) 439-0007   
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio  
Sat. 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. Acoustic Dead & Friends
Fri. 8 p.m. Kickbax Acoustic Trio
Sat. 8 p.m. Renegade
The Union Firehouse
18 Washington Street Mount Holly
(609) 288-6491
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Live & Local" Hosted by Jake Falana
Fri./Sat. 8 p.m. Steal Your Face / The Candymen. $10
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Open Jam w/ Blue Light Digital Sound
Third State Brewing  
352 High Street Burlington 
(609) 387-1620 
Fri. 7 p.m. The Luck Brothers
Tir Na Nog   
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton   
(609) 392-2554 
Fri. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction
Sat. 9 p.m. Williamsboy
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
Tues. 7 p.m. "Social Musicology Series"
Triple Sun Spirits
126 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-3057
Sat. 7 p.m. Cabin Jazz
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)   
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.   
(215) 862-8300   
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia 
Fri.10 p.m. Tweed. $5 
Sat. 10 p.m. Kitty City (EP Release) $5 
Wed. 8 p.m. Jakob's Ferry Stragglers
All shows 21+ 
Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton Location) 
138 Nassau Street Princeton 
(609) 924-7855 
Fri. 10 p.m. Billy Joel Tribute w/ "We May Be Right" 
VFW Post 491
9 Fisher Place Yardville
(609) 585-9645
Sat. 7 p.m. "Paint and Sip" 
All shows ages 21+
Wildflowers Inn   
2572 Pennington Road Pennington   
(609) 773-2392   
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Night   
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia 
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
Working Dog Winery   
610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown   
(609) 371-6000   
Sat. 1 p.m. Austin Vuolo
Yardley Inn Restaurant & Bar 
82 East Afton Avenue Yardley, PA 
(215) 493-3800 
Sat. 8 p.m. Jon Ashe


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.

FEATURED EVENTS

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Narrow results by date, categories, or region of New Jersey.

Christmas

Christmas with Chris Ruggiero

Friday, December 13, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Avenel Performing Arts Center
150 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001
category: music

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LaBamba’s

LaBamba’s Holiday Hurrah

Friday, December 13, 2024 @ 7:00pm
The Vogel
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music

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Hans

Hans Tashjian and Anna Keiserman

Friday, December 13, 2024 @ 2:00pm
Grunin Center
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: music

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Broadway

Broadway for the Holidays 4

Friday, December 13, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: music

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Zebra

Zebra

Friday, December 13, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music

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EVENT PREVIEWS

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Folk Music Society welcomes back singer-songwriter David Roth on Friday, December 13, 2024 to Christ Congregation Church. David strikes the heart and mind with his unique songs, moving stories, and powerful singing. He is a Princeton Folk Music Society tradition and favorite, this being his sixth performance with them since 1994. Showtime is 8:00pm.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Robyn Hitchcock on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at First Congregational Church of Montclair. Imogen Clark will open the night. Doors are at 7:30pm, showtime is 8:00pm.


Jesse

Jesse Malin to Perform A Featured Set at Light of Day WinterFest 2025

2024-12-05 to 2025-01-25


State

State Theatre New Jersey presents Salute to Vienna

2024-12-06 to 2024-12-31


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