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Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...6/17/21

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 06/17/2021

Alan Hewitt, and his band mates which comprise One Nation have extensive resumes; very extensive resumes. The Moody Blues, Pat Benatar, Motley Crue, Britney Spears, NSYNC, Martina McBride and John Lodge are only a handful from the list of artists this group of musicians have performed with or supported. 

So, with that much talent assembled it's only logical that there should be a recording or three in the works and this "Super Group" has not disappointed. So; when is the much-anticipated release of their latest work titled "2021" due? 

"We are going to base it around a tour, that's why we are waiting but it's probably going to be at the end of the summer; especially at the rate it's going," laughed an enthusiastic Alan Hewitt. "We are all in different areas and sending tracks back and forth but it's coming out good. What happens is, I put everything together and send it out to each of the guys to put their own stuff on it; we've actually been doing this since before COVID. This is kind of the way for years that we've been doing it so, it's nothing new but it's nice to do the thing all together too. We've played together enough where I know how to write for the guys and get the correct stuff down; it's working out well actually."

Oh? So; what you're saying Alan is that the pandemic hasn't affected your methods of recording? 

"The kind of recording where you are all in together has become kind of a rare thing. Even back in the day when I was working on Earth, Wind & Fire or any of the bands that I used to produce or record with, we'd only have the horn section in at one time and then maybe the drums and rhythm section or the guitar; it's not as if the whole band was in there doing a song at one time. Way before that, everybody did that because they didn't have the tracks to deal with but as soon as there was the luxury of having multiple or 24 plus tracks and now it's unlimited; it's really up to the guy writing the song or the arranger to make it so everything fits in the right places and then the guys add their own character to it and that's what brings the specialness out in a song; the person's performance. A lot of times I think a person will have a better performance when they are working in their own space and not having somebody putting pressure on them to get what they think should be there instead of what really should be there. That, to me, is what kind of gives it life, especially when you are working with top-notch people. I just got tracks from David C. Johnson the bass player and they are excellent and this song that we are working on now has kind of a Moody Blues, Beatles vibe to it. He used a Hohner bass like McCartney had and he plays with The Neville Brothers. So, there's so many ways to do it but I kind of like this way because it gives me a chance to zone in on everybody's performance and fix the things that I don't like." 

 

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Hewitt has been touring and playing keyboards with the Moody Blues since 2010; he and guitarist Duffy King have also worked with Moody's bassist John Lodge and the connections to those legendary rockers have played a part in the band's formation.  

"I've been in his thing since the beginning and co-wrote and co-produced some of the songs with John," he explained. "We started our first little stint over in England; we had a band over there to tour and then we regrouped and used Billy Ashbaugh from the Moody Blues and he's also in John's band and then Duffy King is in One Nation as well and then we have a cello player from Detroit named Jason and that's that band. So, yeah, I've been with John Lodge from the start and as a matter of fact, John has a new album coming out called "A Royal Affair," after the tour we did  of the same name with Yes, Cal Palmer's ELP Experience and Asia."

They've released two singles from the forthcoming album; the latest being "We're One Nation" and the name of the song reflects on the band's young history.

"We're One Nation;" this band, I've been doing this since 2015. The first record was with Sonny Emory the drummer of Earth, Wind & Fire and Bruce Hornsby and JV Collier from Bruce Hornsby and Jamie Glaser from Chick Correa's electric band. That was the first version of this and the label wanted to have it called One Nation so, that's what we did and rather than change it we just kept it going. I do pretty much all of the writing and in most cases do the lead vocals on the new thing but we wanted to make this a band as much as we could; Duffy and David sing really well too so we are doing a lot of harmonies. I've always loved Crosby, Stills and Nash and Yes does that kind of stuff too so we wanted to combine that with what we are doing." 

"There's going to be 10 tracks and we did a live show and I think we are going to put some of those on as bonus tracks too," continued Hewitt. "They were on the last album but we did them a little differently and just added a little bit. Did you ever notice when you do an album it's; oh, there's not enough songs? The thing is that most of the songs on this album are six minutes plus and some of them are eight minutes so, they are typical progressive rock type long songs; there's plenty of time for somebody to listen to it and enjoy it for long periods of time (laughs)."

Hewitt has had his hand in many projects with multiple artists and in various roles from producer to session player, writer and performer.

"I actually co-wrote "Cherry Pie" with Warrant and how that happened was, we both had the same management and they didn't have the single that they needed and the label called their management and said, "There's no single for this record," and of course the guys got a little ticked off about that as you do when somebody tells you that you have to do more. So, Eddie our manager called and said, "Alan, they're coming down to write with you; you guys have to write a new hit single" and I said, Oh, OK, no pressure (laughs) and we knocked it out in about 30 minutes. Then we took it to the studio because we were kind of on a time limit and they were waiting at the studio and we downloaded all of the stuff from the computer and away they went with the guitars and drums and they did the vocals the next day. I was doing the B-3 stuff on "Uncle Tom's Cabin" before that happened so, we were already friends."

He doesn't stop there, Hewitt's tree has many branches; including scoring for film and television.

"I do film and TV scoring; I've probably done over 200 shows so there's lots of stuff there. I did "Bridgette Jones The Edge Of Reason" "National Lampoon's Van Wilder;" that kind of stuff. I've had a nice run with all of the different things that I've been able to do and it's a good thing too because I get a little bored doing just one thing. I did "Dr. Oz" for Oprah; I'm not the only guy, there are lots of guys who do that but if you do one show you pretty much do them all for her." 

With the new album coming together and things settling down across the globe; where does One Nation go from here? 

 

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"Right now we are in the process of putting it all together and there are two or three labels that are interested and as soon as we get it done we'll go with one of those labels and then I'll keep doing what I'm doing. I've been doing about three or four interviews a week and just kind of getting the name out there. We're also going to be doing "Cruise To the Edge" in 2022 and probably a tour prior to that; it's always fun on those cruises because you meet a lot of people and it's like a musicians hang, I love it. I got to have dinner with Roger Daltrey and he was a gas, he was so funny and I had breakfast with Greg Lake. These are people that I grew up listening to and it's pretty awesome. You find out that everybody pretty much is the same but it's just different situations they were involved with." 

To discover more about Alan Hewitt & One Nation, please visit www.alanhewittandonenation.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. 7 p.m. Dangerous Duo
Fri. 7 p.m. Katfish Lucy
Tues./Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ "Super" Dave Curtis
Ages 21+    

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Broken Goblet Brewing   
2500 State Road Bensalem, PA   
(267) 812-5653   
Thurs. 7 p.m. Mike Estabrook 
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Jason Portizo Duo
Wed. 8 p.m. Open Mic w/ Cara Cartney 
All Shows 21+

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Championship Bar   
931 Chambers street Trenton   
(609) 396-5457  
Tuesday 8 p.m. "Jam Night" Hosted by Nikki & Caleb   
Ages 21+

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Clubhouse at Mountain View
 (The Patio)
850 Bear Tavern Road Ewing  
(609) 771-0400  
Fri. 6 p.m. Kindred Spirit

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COARadio.com     
125 South Main Street Hightstown     
(609) 241-7103
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Joe Cerisano, SOF, Dave Caponetto

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Cooper's Riverview 
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton 
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. (8 p.m.) Union (9 p.m.) "Club Night" feat. Rotating DJs (inside event)
Fri. (5 p.m.) "It's 5 O'clock Somewhere Happy Hour" (8 p.m.) Shameless
Sat. 8 p.m. The FredZ
Sun. 11 a.m. " Sunday Latin Jazz Brunch" w/ Victor Tarassov 
Mon. 7 p.m. "Sunny Monday Blues Jam" and Country Music Night
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ Karen and Mark
Wed. (12 p.m.) "Wine Down Wednesdays" (7 p.m.) Plush
All Events Ages 21+

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Dacey's Pub 
215 West Philadelphia Avenue Morrisville, PA 
(215) 295-4838 
Fri. 6 p.m. Acoustic Music Night 
Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo 

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Dadz Bar and Grill
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609)267-4344
Fri. 6 p.m. Skippy's Toy

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Dempster's Pub
437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday/Ladies Night" w/ DJ entertainment feat. retro 70's, 80's and 90's music.
Fri. / Sat. 9 p.m. DJ entertainment

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Dog & Bull Brew House     
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.     
(215) 788-2855     
Fri. 6 p.m. AJ Jesson
Sat. 4 p.m. Pat Stoner
Sun. 4 p.m. Brian Elliot

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Eddington House Bensalem
2813 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA
(215) 639-1220
Fri. 8 p.m. Kickbax
Sat. 8 p.m. Two For Flinching

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Escape Resort, Restaurant & Bar
120 Pheasant Run Road Newtown, PA
(215) 968-0600
Fri. 6 p.m. The Zings Band

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Gleason's Bar
6700 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA
(215) 943-4781
Thurs. 7 p.m. Weekly Corn Hole Tournament
Fri. 6 p.m. "Happy Hour"
Sat. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 5:30 p.m. Family Fun Night w/ "Gina the Balloon Girl" 

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Greenhouse  
90 South Main Street New Hope, PA  
(215) 693-1657  
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Musicians Night Out" Hosted by Lovelight 
Tues. 8 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Sam Ryan
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia Hosted by Dwayne Dunlevy

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Grounds For Sculpture   
80 Sculptors way Hamilton   
(609) 586-0616    
Sat. 10 a.m. "Member Mornings" 

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Hamilton Elks 
1580 Kuser Road Hamilton
(609) 585-8610
Sat. 7 p.m. Tiltin' Catz

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Havana New Hope 

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105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.     
(215) 862-9897    
Thurs. 7 p.m. Funk n' Blues Jam
Fri. 8 p.m. "Live At The Fillmore" Allman Brothers Tribute. Doors open at 6pm, $30

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HG New Hope Pizza
6510 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-1740
Sat. 6 p.m. Stranger Things

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Hopewell Valley Vineyards     
46 Yard Avenue Pennington     
(609) 737-4465     
Fri. 4 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. (5:30 p.m.) DJ Darius The 1st
Sat. 1 p.m. Roundabout 
Sun. 1 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Hopewell Valley Vineyards Jazz Ensemble

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Iron Plow Vineyards     
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus     
(732) 306-9111  
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Bud & Maggs
Sat. 6:30 p.m. The Grouser Girls
Sun. 2 p.m. Ed Wilson

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Ivy Tavern     
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton     
(609) 888-1435     
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. "Thursday Night Dance Party" 
Fri. 9 p.m. Jason Fox
Sat. 8 p.m. General's Krank
All shows 21+       

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John & Peter's     
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa     
(215) 862-5981    
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Montrey Band
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. 5 p.m. Radio Fiction  

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KUO Social
2360 Route 33 Suite 106 Robbinsville
(609) 208-9988
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit Duo

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Laurita Winery     
85 Archertown Road New Egypt     
(609) 752-0200   
Fri. (12 p.m.) "Wine In The Grove Friday-Father's Day Edition" (5 p.m.) "Cornhole Tournament"  (6 p.m.) "BBQ Grill Night" $34.99 (order tickets online) 
Sat. 12 p.m. "Wine In The Grove-Father's Day Edition" (FREE Admission)
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Father's day Brunch" (Adults $52 includes tax and gratuity/Ages 6-12 $30) (12 p.m.) "Wine In The Grove-Father's Day Edition" (2:30 p.m.) "Father's Day Brunch" (Adults $52 includes tax and gratuity/Ages 6-12 $30)

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Makefield Highlands Golf Club
1418 Woodside Road Yardley, PA
(215) 321-7000
Fri. 5 p.m. Ryan Shubert

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Marie's Kozy Korner
111 Trenton Road Fairless Hills, PA
(215) 943-3131
Fri. 7 p.m. Bill Monach

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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 p.m. "Beer Pong Night"
Sat. 7 p.m. "Off-Site Craft Night" 

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More Than Q 
13 Klines Court Lambertville 
(609) 773-0072
Sat. 2 p.m. The Successful Failures

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Music Mountain Theater
1483 Route 179 Lambertville
(609)397-3337
Fri. 8 p.m. "Murder At Cheltenham Manor"
Sat./Sun. 3 p.m.  "Murder At Cheltenham Manor"

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New Egypt Flea Market Village
933 Monmouth County Road Cream Ridge
(609) 758-2082
Sun. 8 a.m. "Father's Day at The Market"

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New Hope Winery    
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA   
(215) 794-2331   
Sat. 8 p.m. The Weeklings
Sun. 1 p.m. Stranger Things

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Newtown Brewing Company
103 Penns Trail Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8609 
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. "Game Of Thrones" Trivia Night
Sat. 7 p.m. Rob Groden
Sun. 12 p.m. "Father's Day Food & Beer Pairing"

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Nick's Roast Beef
4501 Woodhaven Road West Philadelphia, PA
(215) 637-5151
Thurs. 6 p.m. Rachel & Ty
Fri. 6 p.m. Bigg Romeo
Sat. 6 p.m. Wurl
Sun. 4 p.m. Sir Rod

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O'Fowley's Tavern & Grill
200 State Road Croydon, PA
(215) 785-6998
Fri. 8 p.m. DJ Entertainment

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Old Hights Brewing
123 West Ward Street Hightstown
(609) 469-5976
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia 

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Olde Liberty Tavern
2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Deep Release
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Sara and The Sound

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Old Town Pub     
135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown     
(609) 291-9232    
Thurs. 8 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia   
Tues. 7 p.m. "Dinner Is A Drag." Ages 21 +, $30 (includes $30 food credit)

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Palmer Square
40 Nassau Street Princeton
Thurs. 4 p.m. "Locals Night" w/ Live "Strolling" Musician 
Sat.12 p.m. David Alastre & Latineo
Sun  4 p.m. Ritmo Caliente

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Pasquale's Sports Bar
9078 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA
(267) 202-6268
Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour feat. (TBA)
Sat. 7 p.m. DJ or Live Band Entertainment 
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Quizzo
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic

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Patriots Crossing     
1339 River Road Titusville     
(609) 737-2780    
Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo"  

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Revere Restaurant
802 River Road Ewing
(609) 882-6365
Wed. 7 p.m. David Boyd

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Romeo's Restaurant & Pizza
10 Schalks Crossing Road Plainsboro
(609) 799-4554
Fri. 7 p.m. The Blue-Eyed Balladeer

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Rosedale Mills
101 Route 31 North Pennington
(609) 737-2008
Sat. 1 p.m. Outdoor Line Dancing. $10 (Rain date Sundays 12 p.m.)

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Rossi's Bar & Grill     
2110 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton     
(609) 890-2004     
Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Ernie White
Sun. 4:30 p.m. Monk & Monk 

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Sandy's Beef & Ale
2028 E. Old Lincoln Highway Langhorne, PA
(2670 852-2333
Sat. 7 p.m. Danny Quimby

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Sherman Theater/Penn Community Bank Amphitheater
2400 Byberry Road Bensalem, PA
Wed. 7 p.m. Beach Boys Tribute w/ "Sail On" (Doors open at 5:30 p.m., tickets available online)

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Spellbound Brewing
10 Lippincott Lane #12 Mt. Holly
(609) 832-0077
Sun. 1 p.m. Class A Kings

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Tara's Tavern    
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown     
(609) 286-2300     
Fri. 9 p.m. Ryan McGuire

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Tavern On The Lake      
101 Main Street Hightstown     
(609) 426-9345     
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Barry Wasserman
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke

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Temperance House     
5 South State Street Newtown, PA     
(215) 944-8050     
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia w/ Righteous Jolly
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Cara Cartney

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Terhune Orchards  
330 Cold Soil Road Princeton  
(609) 924-2310  
Fri. 4 p.m. "Sips & Sounds Friday" feat. Mark Miklos
Sat. 1 p.m.  "Weekend Music Series" feat. Bill Flemer
Sun.1 p.m. "Weekend Music Series" feat. Jim Matlack & Joe Kramer

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TGI Fridays   
319 US Highway 130 North East Windsor
(609) 490-1450
Sun. 3 p.m. Bill W and Dennis Rogers 

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The Buck Hotel
1200 Buck Road Feasterville, PA
(215) 396-2002
Thurs. 7 p.m. Kevin Kirko
Fri. 7 p.m. Love Junk
Sat. 9 p.m. Franco & Crabby

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The Cool Cricket     
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro     
(609) 291-9110     
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke  
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Asylum Choir

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The Dubliner   
34 North Main Street New Hope, PA   
(215) 693-1816  
Sun. 3 p.m.  2 p.m. David Falcone

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The Morrisville Tavern
376 West Trenton Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-5310
Fri. 7 p.m. Dan Ward
Mon. 7 p.m. "Country Night" 

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The Roost     
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge     
(609) 208-0050   
Sat. 8 p.m. Bad Hombres

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The Sycamore Grill     
255 North Sycamore Street Newtown, PA     
(215) 908-6326     
Fri. 8 p.m. Soul Fanatics
Sat. 8 p.m. Chris Alan Trio

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Trenton Buzz     
702 Pine Street Trenton     
(609) 392-6000     
Sat. 10 p.m. "Buzzed Saturdays" 

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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+   

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Water's Edge Gastropub and Lounge
1067 Totem Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 332-2095
Thurs. 7 p.m. Cornhole "Blind Draw." $10 
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Summer Fun In The Sun" Vendor Event  (7 p.m.) "Comedy on the Crick" 
Sun. 12 p.m.  Drag Brunch
Wed.7 p.m. Drag Bingo & Karaoke

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Working Dog Winery     
610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown     
(609) 371-6000 
Sat. 1 p.m. Chris Roselle
Sun. 2 p.m. Acoustic Road

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WWFM 89.1 FM HD2 Radio
MCCC Old Trenton Road West Windsor
Jazzon2.org
Mon. 7 p.m. "Danny Coleman's Got The Blues" 

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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 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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