The Penguin Rocks logo
The Penguin Rocks Menu



 

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...9/11/25


By Danny Coleman

originally published: 09/11/2025

"The idea sort of started around 10 years ago but it took a minute to get it up and  finished; actually COVID was the thing that got me to finish it because I had a whole year where I really didn't have anything to do so I finished the studio," laughed bassist Jack Daley as he and Producer Marc Swersky discussed the creation and function of Dug Deep Production in Asbury Park, NJ.  "It was sort of framed and sheet-rocked but I completely gutted the building. I had the studio half built and then I had about three or four years when I was touring so much with Steven Van Zandt that I couldn't really get it finished but once COVID hit, I was over here every day."  

Dug Deep isn't an ordinary studio run by ordinary people, both Daley and Swersky have pedigrees in music and have achieved their successes the old fashioned way, "They earned it." 

"Primarily, I'm a bassist, that's my main thing and I played in a lot of bands and worked in studios in upstate New York and then around 1989 I woke up one day thinking to myself, I've got to make a move, I've got to do something with my career," began explaining Daley. "So, I moved to New York City and tried to condense it; within a year-and-a-half I was in like 13 bands in New York, just hitting the street and playing with everybody. Then I started getting touring work and playing on records as a session bassist and then I got the gig with Lenny Kravitz. I did that for 14 years, toured all over the world and while I was doing that, I was building my career as both a session musician and a producer/engineer and doing different things. So, I did that and then I kind of just produced and mixed for a few years; I had a studio at my house in Monmouth Beach and then I started playing and touring with different people again and then I ended up in Steven Van Zandt's band and we did about four years, two records, two live DVDs; just fantastic and now I'm touring with The Spin Doctors. So, that's condensed but yeah, you know."

"Jack is being very humble," added Swersky, "There was a little Saturday Night Live gig that he got to do with a certain somebody."




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here



"For the first time in 12 years, I played with Lenny Kravitz, I went over to Davos in Switzerland to the World Economic Forum and we played there at the end of February like two or three weeks before COVID really hit. So we did the gig and the world shut down and then I came back here and became a builder (Laughs). I was working on a a record with a German artist and in the midst of that I got a call from Steven Van Zandt a week before the Saturday Night Live thing and he said, "I've got something I'm gonna need you to step in on," it was like a Mafia call (Laughs). I thought I was gonna have to go up to Boston and knock someone off (Laughs) and I was like, Steven, I've got a big project at my studio that weekend and Steven just goes, "Mmmmmmm" and I was like, "Alright Steven." I told him I had this big thing but he was not hearing it because I think he had probably already sold the idea that he had someone to play bass; Gary (Tallent) was not going to come up to New York during COVID. I don't know exactly where his head was at but he didn't want to come up but they wanted to do the show but they didn't have a bass player. Steven probably said, "My guy will be great" and then I told him I can't do it and he was like, "Mmmmmmm" and so I was like, OK Steven, I'm in but then I had to call Germany and tell my guy and he said, "Oh, if it's Bruce, go for it."

Apparently, Daley isn't the only humble one of these two more than qualified musicians and producers. When asked to give a bit of his own background, Swersky readily admits he doesn't like talking about himself but don't fret, with some nudging, he fessed up.

"I've been really lucky for about 35 years, first as a songwriter," he began hesitantly. "I was blessed to have some huge cuts on some huge records and then segued into being a writer and a producer. Like Jack, I started out as a bass player and then I realized there are guys like Jack out there so now I try to play bass only when I have to these days (Laughs). My mentor is a guy named Charlie Midnight and anybody who is interested in looking him up, his credits will blow your mind for what he's done for his career. I was the last bass player in The Charlie Midnight Band and Charlie one day came to me and asked, "Do you write?" I was like, "Uh yeah" and he said, "I want to tell you something, you're the most naturally gifted arranger out of all of the musicians I've met or worked with" and that put an idea in my mind. At that time, what I was doing besides playing with Charlie is that, like Jack, I was running around New York City playing with many bands and my main thing was, I had a rhythm section for hire and we backed up a lot of female singer songwriters. One of those was a woman named Francesca Beghe and I ended up hooking up with her and we became her rhythm section. One day, she said to me, "Do you write?" I said, "Charlie said I write so I write! (Laughs)" Needless to say, we had an initial chemistry; she really didn't need my help because she was a great writer but what I was doing for her was giving her ideas of things she never thought of in her approach to songs. One of those songs which was the third or fourth song we ever wrote together ended up becoming a song called "Trust In Me" which ended up being cut by Joe Cocker and because Charlie and his partner were producing the new Joe Cocker record; that record went on to sell about five million copies and from there I ended up getting a very big publishing deal and from there that launched my writing career and I just went on writing for people. I kept writing for people; to put it all together, I think my greatest talent is, I know how to develop artists. I know how to get to the core of what an artist wants to say, why they want to say it and how they can say it; not how they should say it but how they can say it. I've had a blessed career doing that for a long time and as a songwriter, I've got two Grammy Awards. Jack and I met about 14 years ago, I was getting ready to cut a record, I bee-lined right to Jack to play bass. I could probably play bass but I know enough to hire Jack. We worked together on a project and from there our respect for each other; we spoke the same language. I've worked in many studios, I've traveled the world working in studios, I was working in another studio, put my bones in that studio, had some wonderful times there but it was time to go in another direction. I went to another studio and this was before Jack built this studio: I always waited for Jack to build a studio because I don't need to travel anymore if I don't have to but we still continued to work together and the single most important thing to happen was that we became family, like brothers and that's where the magic happens. Do we agree on everything? Absolutely not but in creative you find it. I was working at another studio and it was going well but I needed to do a record and it was during COVID and we brought the right group of people in and we did the record and when we were done I said, "Screw this," this studio is the place I've always wanted to work at; I've worked in studios all over the world and some of the best studios in the world but walking into this environment is the way I want to be part of making a record. It's the energy I want to make a record. The single most important thing is what you record in this room, when you take it outside, it sounds the exact same way and that is no lie." 

"That's the trick," added Jack, "A lot of times you'll be in the studio and you'll record something and you'll feel like a genius and then you take it home and it's like, oh we've got a lot of work to do (Laughs)." 

One of the things about working with Dug Deep Production is that from Marc and Jack right on down to the musicians they choose and use as their session players; when an artist decides to commit to record there; each is treated as unique individuals just like their art.

"I think there are different processes for different artists but I think like Marc said, he will do pre-production with an artist and that will mean going through the material with them, maybe writing or reviewing the songs and finding out what's needed, deciding what the direction might be and then picking the right musicians for that direction, maybe deciding we're gonna go this route with the sound so this is how we want to approach it, this is how we're gonna split up the tracking; there are a lot of decisions made before someone actually walks in the room," emphasized Daley.

As stated before, Jack and Marc do have rare differences of opinion or suggestions but they do always agree on two things, rough drafts and the importance of studio or session players.




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here



"We both believe in this; don't give roughs out, if you don't have to give somebody roughs don't give them roughs," laughed Swersky. "More than not, they're not gonna listen for what's great, they're gonna listen for what's wrong and most of the time what is wrong, is them. That's a terrible thing to say but people get hyper-focused on it. I think it's a microcosm of the world of music right now; everything is so myopic because everything is in everybody's head. They can do it themselves, they can only focus on one thing. I think the reason why people should hire producers and should go to a recording studio is because you're getting a different energy and a wider view of what it could be."

"That's what great session musicians bring," continued Daley, "They'll have a take on it, you'll have something in mind and they'll come in and do something that totally surprises you and sets the whole thing on its ear." 

If interested in booking studio time or finding out more about Dug Deep production, please visit https://www.dugdeepproduction.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


Abbott Marshlands
157 Westcott Avenue Hamilton
Sun. 7 p.m. Insect Discovery Night (FREE event)
Ace Cafe 
15 Market Place New Hope, PA
Thurs. 6 p.m. Bike Night
Al's Airport Inn
636 Bear Tavern Road West Trenton
(609) 883-5252 
Thurs. 5 p.m. Ed Wall
Sat. (12 p.m.) Acoustic Brunch w/ Jeff Penque (7 p.m.) Tom & Katherine
Sun. (12 p.m.) Sunday Acoustic Brunch w/ Frank Pinto (6 p.m.) Gavin Skinner
Mon. 5 p.m. Joe Hutchinson
Tues. 7 p.m. Mike & Laura
Wed. 7 p.m. Kindred Spirit Duo
Americana Kitchen & Bar 
359 U.S. Highway Route 130 North Hightstown
(732) 558-5999
Fri. 7 p.m. The Prime Time Comedy Club" Joseph Anthony, No Filter Paul 
Ancient Order of Hibernians 
2419 Kuser Road Hamilton 
Fri. 7 p.m. Dockside 
Sat. 7 p.m. "Half-Way to St. Patrick's Day w/ The Williamsboy
Aristaeus Brewing
2475C Big Oak Road Langhorne, PA 
(215) 757-2337
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
  
Arts Council of Princeton 
102 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-8777 
Fri. 10:30 a.m. Magical Baby and Toddler Storyplays w/ Miss Pam
Ashlynn Distillery 
32 West Bridge Street Morrisville, PA 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Cecil & Mike
Fri. 8 p.m. Juz Biz
Sat. 8 p.m. Rondie James
Sun. 3 p.m. Cecil & Friends
Wed. 6 p.m. Cara Cartney
Bailey's Bar & Grille 
6922 Bristol-Emilie Road Levittown, PA  
(215) 946-7992 
Sat. 9 p.m. The Loop
Bent Iron Brewing
70 Extonville Road Hamilton
Thurs. 7 p.m. Dynamo Trivia Interactive Game Show
Sat. 3 p.m. "BeanFest 3" feat. G. Love and Special Sauce. $79.97, doors open at 1 p.m.
Bill's Olde Tavern
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Thurs. 7 p.m. Music BINGO
Sun. 7 p.m. BINGO
Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Tues. 9 p.m. / Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke 
Ages 21+
Blooming Grove Inn
40 West Upper Ferry Road West Trenton 
Thurs. 6 p.m. "4 Course Bourbon & Cigar Dinner" $80
Fri. 4:30 p.m. Carmen Marranco
Wed. 6:30 p.m. Trivia
Bordentown City
Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
Fri. 7 p.m. "Frightening Fridays!" Haunted History Tours. $20
Sat. 12 p.m. Bordentown Walking Tours. $20 
Bordentown Yacht Club 
1 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown 
(609) 298-9754 
Sat. 4 p.m. Reddio
Booterbeer Brewing Company
229 East Colliers Mill Road New Egypt
Sat./Sun. 12 p.m. "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day" feat. (3 p.m.) Linda McNee
Boro Bean 
9 East Broad Street Hopewell 
(609) 466-6681 
Sat. 11 a.m. John Abbott 
Bowman's Tavern 
1600 River Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Matt Gordeuk
Fri. (5:30 p.m.) Bennett Lee (8 p.m.) Bob Egan 
Sat. 7 p.m. Jim Dedrick Duo
Sun. (12 p.m.) Bill Avayou Trio (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Tues. 6 p.m. Sam Ryan
Wed. 6 p.m. Liz DuFour
Broken Goblet Brewing
2500 State Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 812-5653
Thurs. 7 p.m.  Mike Estabrook All Request Show
Fri. 8 p.m. "Eyes Of the Nile" Iron Maiden Tribute / "Queens Of The Ryche" Queensryche Tribute. $15-$32, doors open at 7 p.m., ages 21+ 
Sun. 12:30 p.m. "Mean Girls" Drag Brunch Hosted by Sutton Fearce. $20, doors open at 11 a.m.
Wed. 6 p.m. "Goblets & Goblins" D&D Night  
Bucks On Bridge
25 Bridge Street Lambertville
(609) 483-2615
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Poetry Night 
Tues. 5 p.m. Chess Night
Wed. 6 p.m. Trivia
B2 Bistro Jimmy's American Grill
140 US Route 130 South bordentown
(609) 291-0200
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Cadwalader Park (Ellarslie Museum)
299 Parkside Avenue Trenton 
(408) 335-4400 
Sat. 10 a.m. Family Workshop: Create Artwork with Cyanotype
Catch A Rising Star (Hyatt Regency Princeton) 
102 Carnagie Center Princeton
(781) 568-1471
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Joey Callahan. $26.50, Doors open at 7 p.m. 
Cazz's Sports Bar 'N' Grille
1560 Haines Road Levittown, PA 
(267) 580-5469 
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul
Club Atlantis
1858 Street Road Bensalem, PA 
(215) 944-1777 
Sat. 9 p.m. DJ Robbie Tronco 
All Events Ages 21+ and Dress to Impress
Continental Tavern
2 North Main Street Yardley, PA  
(215) 493-9191
Fri. 8 p.m. Just Todd
Sat. 8 p.m. Chris Alan Duo
Cooper's Riverview                                                                     
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Lovelight
Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour  (8 p.m.) Don't Call Me Francis / DJ John Rossi. (Tickets required, VIP available)
Sat. 7 p.m. Rolling Stones Tribute w/ "Brown Sugar" / DJ Randy Moats
Wed. 7 p.m. Blues and BBQ Jam 
Cream Ridge Winery
145 Route 539 Cream Ridge 
(609) 259-9797 
Sun. 12 p.m. Sangria Sunday feat. Ronnie Brandt (3 p.m.) Eco Del Sur 
Crossing Vineyard and Winery
1853 Wrightstown Road Washington Crossing, PA
(215) 493-6500 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 7:15 p.m. "Summer Wine and Music Series" feat. The Fabulous Greaseband. $20 (advance), Doors open at 5 p.m., Ages 21+ 
Sat. 1 p.m. Bill Thomas
Sun. 2 p.m. Kat Rivers
Curran’s Irish Inn
1909 Bristol Pike Bensalem, PA
(215) 245-1800
Thurs. 7 p.m. Music Bingo 
Mon. 7:30 p.m. Quizzo
Dacey's Pub 
215 West Philadelphia Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-4838
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Music Night 
Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo
Dadz Bar and Grill 
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609)267-4344
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic 
Fri. 7 p.m. Replay
Dharma Bums 
4935 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 663-2867
Thurs. 7 p.m. Shed's Kitchen
Fri. 8 p.m. Tigers In A Trance. $10 (advance)
Sat. 8 p.m. The Medicinals w/ Joshua West. $10 (advance)
Sun. (3 p.m.) Psychedelic Community of New Hope Monthly Social Meetup (6 p.m.) Sean Hopkins & Gary Eschbaugh
Wed. 7 p.m.  DBums Hootenanny: An Open Mic of Music, Comedy & Spoken Word Hosted by Michael Henry Robert
Flying Pig Tavern & Tap 
167 US-Route 130 North Bordentown 
(609) 899-7447
Fri. 8 p.m. Acoustic Sara
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia
Forsgate Country Club   
375 Forsgate Drive Monroe
(732) 521-0700 
Fri. 6 p.m. Patron Tequila Dinner
Founding Fathers Sports Bar & Grill 
2900 Street Road Bensalem, PA 
(215) 923-1100
Fri. 6 p.m. Bob Pantano Dance Party w/ DJ Joe Castro
Friendly's 
1031 Washington Boulevard Robbinsville 
(609) 426-9203 
Thurs. 5 p.m. Cruise Night 
Wed. 6 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Kevin McGowan and/or Gino Formaroli (Sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.)
Gallagher's Taproom
437 Pine Street Mount Holly 
(609) 261-0500   
Mon. 6:30 p.m. Wooden Pumpkin Sign Paint Night
German American Society 
215 Uncle Pete's Road Hamilton 
(609) 585-5200
Sun. 12 p.m. Schnitzel Supper
Gleason's Bar
6700 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA
(215) 943-4781 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Music Bingo / “Ladies Night” Hosted by Best Choice Productions 
Fri. (6 p.m.) "Happy Hour" (8:30 p.m.) Hot Soda
Sat. 4 p.m. "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day" feat. (5 p.m.) Casey Welbourn (5:30 p.m.) Irish Dancers (8 p.m.) Never Enough
Tues. 7 p.m. Gameshow Palooza
Green Parrot Restaurant Pub, & Patio
240 North Sycamore Street Newtown Township, PA 
(215) 504-7277 
Tues. 7 p.m. Music BINGO
Grounds For Sculpture
80 Sculptors way Hamilton
(609) 586-0616 
Sat. 2 p.m. Caring Eyes Seeing Eye Puppies
Grover's Mill Coffee House 
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction   
(609) 716-8771  
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Wade Prestridge. $10
Halo Pub (Fete) 
9 Hullfish Street Princeton 
(609) 921-1710 
Sat. 6 p.m. BD Lenz
Hamilatte Cafe
1971 Route 33 Hamilton
Sat. 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Saturdays 
Hamilton Elks  
1580 Kuser Road Hamilton 
(609) 585-8610  
Fri. 7 p.m. Line & Partner Dancing w/ Beginner Lessons Hosted by Jeremy. $7 (advance)
Hamilton Township Public Library 
1 Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Way Hamilton 
(609) 581-4060
Thurs. 1:30 p.m. A Healthier You: Mindfulness, Self-Care & Letting go
Hamilton Veterans Park 
1865 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road Hamilton  
Sat. (9:30 a.m.) Forever Hart Fit "Back to School" Walk (10 a.m.) 3rd Annual 5K Fun Run & Walk
Sun. 8:30 a.m. ESCF Athlete Clinic 5K Run
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Jam Hosted by Mikey Jr. & The Slidewinder Blues Band
Fri. ( 8 p.m.) "Slippery When Wet" Bon Jovi Tribute (11 p.m. ) DJ Dance Party 
Sat. (8:30 p.m.) Jumper (11:59 p.m.) DJ Dance Party 
Sun. 2 p.m. Dibbs & The Detonators
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Steve
Tues. 7 p.m. Jillian Ashcroft Jazz Quartet 
Wed. 7 p.m. Jumper Duo
Holy Grounds Coffee House (Cranbury United Methodist Church) 
21 Norh Main Street Cranbury
(609) 395-1737
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Gospel Doo-wop w/ Santos
Hopewell Valley Golf Club
114 Pennington-Hopewell Road Hopewell
(609) 737-1199
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Trivia
Hopewell Valley Vineyards
46 Yard Avenue Pennington 
(609) 737-4465 
Fri. 4 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. (5:30 p.m.) Sister Blue w/ Mark Furm
Sat. (1 p.m.) Chris from Rave On! (5:30 p.m.) "Music & Merlot" feat. New Yacht City
Sun. (11 a.m.) Sangria Workshop. $32 (2:30 p.m.) "Jazzy Sundays" feat. DogDad
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Music Bingo w/ DJ John W. 
Fri. 9 p.m. The Implicated 
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Tuesday
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic w/ Laura Fiocco
Il Portico Restorante Italiano 
273 West Route 130 South Burlington
(609) 239-1000 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Jazz Night
Fri. / Sat. 7 p.m. Live Music w/ Tony O
Irish Rover Station House 
1033 South Bellevue Avenue Langhorne, PA 
(215) 970-5412 
Wed. 7 p.m. Quizzo Night
Iron Plow Vineyards
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus 
(732) 306-9111 
Fri. 5:30 p.m. Mark Sacco
Sat. 4:30 p.m. Steve Millington
Sun. 1 p.m. Andrew Morrer
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton 
(609) 888-1435 
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke 
Sun. 8 p.m. Karaoke Latinos / Ladies Night 
All shows 21+     
John & Peter's
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa 
(215) 862-5981 
Thurs. 9 p.m. The Modbeats
Sat. 9 p.m. Stinking Lizaveta / Brian Strauss
Sun. 3 p.m. Last Minute Changes 
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic Night feat. (Sign-ups start at 8 p.m.) 
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Kelly's Bar n Banquet Hall
14 Railroad Avenue Fort Dix
(732) 230-6169
 Fri. 7 p.m. Bent Mushroom
Killarney's Publick House
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166 
Thurs. 5 p.m. Radio Fiction
Fri. (5 p.m.) Rob Silvers (10 p.m.) DJ Dan
Sat. (10 a.m.) Brunch (2 p.m.) "Burger Cook-Off" w/ DJ Jimmy G (5:30 p.m.) Bob Banka (7 p.m.) Balanced Breakfast Band (10 p.m.) DJ Bay
Sun. (10 a.m.) "Sunday Funday" Brunch feat. (11 a.m.) Lou Mutter
Mon. 6:30 p.m. Mixology Class w/ Kylie & Mark. $45
Tues. 7 p.m. Music BINGO
Wed. (6 p.m.) Radio Fiction Trio (9 p.m.) Boozy Spelling Bee w/ DJ Dan
KUMO 27
3376 Route 27 South Brunswick
(732) 419-3452 
Sat. 8:30 p.m. The Beagles w/ Joy
Laurita Winery 
85 Archertown Road New Egypt 
(609) 752-0200 
Thurs. (5 p.m.) Sip & Snip u-Pick Flowers AND Pumpkins. $40 (5:15 p.m.) Summer Clam Bake! $36 (6:30 p.m.) Piany & Sip: "Capture Autumn's Last Smile" $50
Fri. (5 p.m.) Sip & Snip u-Pick Flowers AND Pumpkins. $40 (5:30 p.m.) Summer Clam Bake! $36 (7:30 p.m.) Kricket Comedy feat. Kevin Israel, Rich Carucci. $26
Sat. 11 a.m. "Grape Stomping Festival" $14 (Under 21 FREE) feat. (12 p.m.) Sip & Snip u-Pick Flowers AND Pumpkins. $40 (1 p.m.) Grape Crushing
Sun. 12 p.m. "Grape Stomping Festival" $14 (Under 21 FREE) feat. (12 p.m.) Sip & Snip u-Pick Flowers AND Pumpkins. $40/Strictly '60s (1 p.m.) Grape Crushing
Lawrenceville Main Street 
17 Phillips Avenue Lawrenceville
(609) 219-9300
Fri. 6 p.m. "Music In The Park" feat. Califon Hellbenders (Weeden Park FREE admission) 
Library Company of Burlington
23 West Union Street Burlington
(609) 3861273
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Night
Lillipies Bakery
30 North Harrison Street Princeton 
(609) 423-2100  
Sat. 10 a.m. Storytime with Jeff
Locust Hall at Johnson's Farm
2691 Monmouth Road Jobstow 
(609) 723-2630  
Sat. 6 p.m. "Evening on the Farm"
Magikava
87a South Main Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-2739 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Astrology Readings by Riss Cottrill 
Mon. 6 p.m. Magik "Art Mondays" 
Wed. 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Night  
Main Street Mt. Holly  
28 Washington Street Mt. Holly  
(609) 914-0811 
Sat. 11 a.m. "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day" Irish Festival feat. The Shantys, The Natterjacks, John O'Callaghan, Birmingham Six. (Takes place at Mill Dam Park located at 21 Wall Street)
McStews Irish Sports Pub
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 949-9570 
Sat. 9 p.m. All Lit Up
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Trivia Night 
Mercer County Park Festival Grounds 
Hughes Drive/Old Trenton Road West Windsor 
(609) 448-1947 
Sat. 11 a.m. Paws & Play with Purpose
Music Mountain Theater
1483 Route 179 Lambertville
(609)397-3337
Fri. 8 p.m. "BEAUTIFUL" The Carole King Musical
Sat. 3 p.m./ 8 p.m.  "BEAUTIFUL" The Carole King Musical
Sun. 3 p.m.  "BEAUTIFUL" The Carole King Musical
Naked Brewing Company 
212 Mill Street Bristol, PA 
(267) 544-7129
Thurs.6:30 p.m. Dana's S#$t Show
Fri.  7 p.m. FrAsh
Sat. 7 p.m. Joe & Krista & The Fountain of Youth
Sun. 11 a.m.  Ottsville Garage Pop-Up
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia
Needle Creek Farm Brewery
91 Titus Mill Road Pennington
Sat. 12 p.m. Salt, Pepper, "Garrlic" BBQ feat. (2 p.m.) Ed Wilson Trio
Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company 
909 Ray Avenue Croydon, PA 
(215) 458-7081
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia Night 
New Egypt Flea Market Village 
933 Monmouth County Road Cream Ridge 
(609) 758-2082
Sun. 8 a.m. Flea Market 
Wed. 8 a.m. Flea Market
New Hope Winery / Tavern 
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 794-2331 
Sat. 8 p.m. David Cook  
Sun. 1 p.m. Marc Hoffman
Newtown Brewing Company
103 Penns Trail Newtown, PA 
(215) 944-8609 
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. "Disney" Trivia 
Fri. 6 p.m. John Brennan Blues
Sat. 6 p.m. Ben Chandler
Wed. 4 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Bill Monach
Nick's Roast Beef
4501 Woodhaven Road West Philadelphia, PA 
(215) 637-515
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke
Nomad Distilling Company
20 South Main Street New Hope, PA
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch
Nottingham Tavern 
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square 
(609) 587-6623
Thur. 9 pm. Karaoke w/ Super Dave Curtis 
Fri. 9 p.m. Talking In Cursive
Sat. 9:30 p.m. 80s Undercover
Mon. 6 p.m. BINGO
Tues. 4 p.m. Pies On The Patio feat. (6:30 p.m.) Georgia Owen
Ages 21+   
O'Fowley's Tavern & Grill 
200 State Road Croydon, PA 
(215) 785-6998 
Mon. 7 p.m. Music Bingo Hosted by Best Choice Productions w/ DJ John S 
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo
 Old Barracks
100 Barrack Street Trenton
Sat. 7 p.m. Concerts by Candlelight
Old Hights Brewing 
123 West Ward Street Hightstown 
(609) 469-5976
Thurs. 5 p.m. Vinyl Night
Fri. 5 p.m. Pop's Farm Market BBQ, Bon Fires & Beer feat. (6 p.m.) Alan Stein
Sat. 12 p.m. "Jersey Metal" Beer Release Party
Sun. 2 p.m. Sunday Jazz w/ The Blue Vibes
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia
Old Town Pub
135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown 
(609) 291-9232
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia
Ottoburger (Planet Animal Taste)
65 East Broad Street Hopewell
(640) 867-4915
 Fri. 6 p.m. Mike & Laura
Palmer Square 
40 Nassau Street Princeton 
Sat. 1 p.m. Fall Music Series feat. Erik Daab Trio
Patriots Crossing 
1339 River Road Titusville 
(609) 737-2780
Thurs. 8 p.m. Ladies Night  
Sat. 8 p.m. Frank Pinto & Richie Z
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo"
Pete's Steak House 
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
 (609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Bad Hombres
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Underwater Airlines
Pita Chip (Oxford Oaks Shopping Center)
1623 Big Oak ROad Yardley, PA
(267) 573-4173
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Trivia w/ Righteous Jolly
Plainsboro Preserve
80 Scotts Corner Road Cranbury
(609) 799-4013
Fri. 5 p.m. Family Camp-Out
Sat. 1:30 p.m. Plant & Seed Swap
Princeton Country Club
1-Wheeler Way West Windsor
(609) 452-9382 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Karaoke Night w/ Live DJ
Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour 
Sun. 11 a.m. Jazz Brunch 
Princeton Makes 
301 North Harrison Street Princeton 
Sun. 11 a.m. Sunday Markets
Princeton Public Library (Hinds Plaza)
65 Witherspoon Street Princeton  
(609) 924-9529 
Sun. 4 p.m. Listen Local w/ "The Professors"
Puss N Boots Tavern
942 Trenton Road Fairless Hills, PA
Fri. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia
Randy Now's Man Cave
119 West Ward Street Hightstown 
(609) 424-3766
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Jeffrey Gaines / Michael Tearson. 
Sat. 7:30 p.m. APB. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Ristorante LUCCA & Piano Lounge 
144 US Route 130 Bordentown 
(609) 262-0110
Thurs. 8 p.m. Jazz Night 
River House at Odette’s 
274 South Rive Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 682-2022 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Cara Cartney
Fri. 7 p.m. Laura Hull Duo
Sat. 7 p.m. Bob Egan
Sun. 11:30 a.m. Brunch w/ Alex Otey Duo
Wed. 5 p.m. Brad Staudle 
Roebling Museum 
100 2nd Avenue Roebling
(609) 499-7200 
Sat. 11 a.m. River to Farm Bike Tour. $7 
Rossi's Bar & Grill
2110 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 890-2004 
Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Ernie White
Sat. 11 a.m. Brunch
Sun. 11 a.m. Brunch 
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzoholics
Sandy's Beef & Ale
2028 E. Old Lincoln Highway Langhorne, PA
(2670 852-2333
Thurs. 8 p.m. Quizzo  
Mon. 7 p.m. Music Bingo 
Second Sin Brewing Company
1500 Grundy Lane Bristol, P
(267) 812-5251
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Shady Brook Farm 
931 Stony Hill Road Yardley, PA 
(215) 968-1670 
Fri. 11 a.m. "FallFest" $20+ (6:30 p.m.) "Party On The Patio" w/ AudioPilot
Sat. 11 a.m. "FallFest" $30+ (6:30 p.m.) "Party On The Patio" w/ Dana Collins Project
Sun. 11 a.m. "FallFest" $25 (12 p.m.) Kindred Spirit
Sherman Theater/Penn Community Bank Amphitheater 
2400 Byberry Road Bensalem, PA 
Fri. 7 p.m. Who's bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience. (Doors open at 6 p.m., tickets available online)
Silver Lake Nature Center
1306 Bath Road Bristol, PA
(215) 785-1177
Sat. (7:30 a.m.) FREE Saturday Morning Bird Walks (12 p.m.) SLNC Earthship 10th Anniversary Celebration
Slim's Irish Pub 
2195 Galloway Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 332-0047
Mon. 6 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Cecil 
Wed. 6 p.m. Karaoke Contest
Small World Coffee 
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-4377 x2 
Sat. 7 p.m. McMillan & Co.
Sparky World-Famous Beer Garden
4333 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 943-2321 
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dana
Sun. 9 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Cara Cartney
Mon. 9 p.m. Game Night Hosted by Kid Dalton 
Tues. 7 p.m. Johnny Betz
Spellbound Brewing
10 Lippincott Lane #12 Mt. Holly 
(609) 832-0077 
Fri. 6 p.m. The Successful Failures
Sat. 6 p.m. "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day" Afterparty
Spigola Vino E Cucino
3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Road Hamilton
(609) 585-5255
Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Mark Sacco
Starving Artist Cafe
18 Bridge Street Stockton
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Daisy Jane (Sign-ups at 5:30 p.m.)
Fri. 10 a.m. JB Kline's Facebook Live
Sat. 6 p.m. Rick Fink / Greg McGarvey
Sun. 1 p.m. "Johnny Cash Remembered" A Solo Tribute to The Man in Black w/ Michael Patrick
Steam Pub 
606 2nd Street Pike Southampton, PA 
Sun. 11 a.m. '90s Brunch w/ DJ Montone
21 Locks Brewing
32 West Bridge Street Morrisville, PA 
(917) 626-2352
Fri. 8 p.m. "Comedy Night" feat. John Montague, Brendan Donegan, Holly Huff, Lakshmi, Marcus LaVar. $18, doors open at 7 p.m.
Sun. 2 p.m. Music BINGO
Tavern On The Lake 
101 Main Street Hightstown 
(609) 426-9345  
Fri. 8 p.m. T-Bone Jam
Tues. 6 p.m. Trivia 
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke 
TCNJ College of New Jersey
2000 Pennington Road Ewing 
(609) 771-2467
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Faculty Artist Series feat. Doug Beavers & Jose Bevia (Takes place at Mayo Hall) 
Temperance House
5 South State Street Newtown, PA 
(215) 944-8050
Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia Hosted by Neville Esquire
Tues. 7 p.m. Beginner Line Dance Lessons w/ Jeremy Line Dance. $40/4 Weeks 
Terhune Orchards  
330 Cold Soil Road Princeton
(609) 924-2310 
Sat. 12 p.m. "Fall Family Fun Weekend" feat. Stonehearth Bluegrass
Sun. 1 p.m. "Fall Family Fun Weekend Music" feat. (TBA)
TGI Fridays
2703 Mount Holly Road Suite 3 Washington Twp.
(609) 239-486 
Thurs. 7 p.m.  Trivia   
The Beer Garden and Education Center at Snipes Farm
890 West Bridge Street Morrisville, PA 
Sat. 5 p.m.-Sun. 11 p.m. Harvest Moon Music Festival feat. Consider The Source, Flux Capacitor
The Birdhouse Center For The Arts
7 North Main Street Lambertville
(215) 681-4660
Tues. 7:30 p.m. NJNO the "not just nyckelharpa orchestra" Community Orchestra
The Buck Hotel 
1200 Buck Road Feasterville, PA 
(215) 396-2002 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Kirko
Fri. 8 p.m. Soul Cruisers
Sat. (11 a.m.) Brunch (8:30 p.m.) SideArm
Tues. 7 p.m. Danny Lynch Duo
The Cool Cricket
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Dave Curtis
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
Mon. 7 p.m. Bike Night
Tues. 7 p.m. BINGO
The Corner Inn
24509 East Main Street Columbus
(609) 298-8543
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ We R Entertainment
The Dubliner
34 North Main Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 693-1816
Fri. 7 p.m. Na Bodach
Sat. 7 p.m. Seamus Kelleher
Sun. 3 p.m. "Traditional Irish Session"
The Federal Twist Vineyard 
8 Federal Twist Road Stockton
(609) 773-6066 
Sat. 3 p.m. James Popik Trio. $5 (Ages 20 and under FREE)
Sun. 2 p.m. Dragonfly Trio. $5 (Ages 20 and under FREE)
The Five Four Bar & Grill
8919 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 547-5525
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula and Sam 
Fri. 9 p.m. Jukebox Graveyard
Sat. 9 p.m. NOVA
Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo w/ Jonathan Appel 
The HOB Tavern 
146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020 
Fri. 8 p.m. The Successful Failures
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Trey Brown
Fri. 9:30 p.m. DJ Darius
Sat. 9:30 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Sun. 2 p.m. Gameday
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv 
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Trey Brown 
The Morrisville Tavern 
376 West Trenton Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-5310
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Mon. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia Night 
The Newtown Theatre
120 North State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 968-3859
Thurs. 8 p.m. Charlie Chaplin's Silent Shorts. $19-$25
Fri. 8 p.m. Iconic Women of Music w/ Rae Radick. $36-$41
Sun. 3 p.m. Krendl The Illusionist-Family Show. $25-$42 (VIP available)
Wed. 7 p.m. "It's Magic Time: The Ted Kloos Story" $20.20, doors open at 6:30 p.m.
The Penguin Rocks (24 Hour On-Demand Music/Radio)
www.thepenguinrocks.com 
Mon. -  Fri. "Radio Jersey" Hosted by Lee Mrowicki 
Sun. - Sat. "Classic Jersey" Hosted by Gary Wien
Sun. - Sat. "Beyond The Palace" Hosted by Lee Mrowicki 
Sun. - Sat. "Danny Coleman's Rock On Radio" feat. Signature
Sun. - Sat. "From The Basement" Hosted by Mike Marrone
Sun. - Sat. "Deuce Radio" Hosted by Matt Barker
Sun. - Sat. "Altrok Radio" Hosted by Sean Carolan
Sun. - Sat. "Lighty's Corner" Hosted by Gary Wien 
Sun. - Sat. "The Troubador Show" Hosted by John Godfrey
The Roost
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Thurs. (6:30 p.m.)The Fryboys (9 p.m.) "Tiki Thursday" w/ DJ entertainment
Fri. 9 p.m. 80s Undercover
Sat. 9 p.m. Bent Fender
Mon. 7 p.m. Music BINGO
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 6 p.m. Joe Vadala
The Union Firehouse
18 Washington Street Mount Holly
(609) 288-6491
Fri. 8 p.m. "Hotlanta" Allman Brothers Experience / "Let It Rain" Eic Clapton Tribute. Doors open at 7 p.m.
The Union House 
19 East Union Street Burlington
(609) 531-6077
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 8 p.m. Flashback
Sat. (10 a.m.) Brunch (8 p.m.) Fleeting Glimpse
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch
Tindall Road Brewing Co.
102 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 526-8651 
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia Night w/ Dan Sutton
Tir Na Nog 
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton 
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 5 p.m. "Personalized Guinness Pint Glass"
Sat. 12 p.m. "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day" feat. Kevin McCloskey, Diarmuid Suibhne
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions"
All Shows 21+
Train Wreck Distillery 
25 Madison Avenue Mount Holly 
(609) 288-6300 
Sat. 7 p.m. Dave Murray
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Happy Hour Throwback Thursday
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Music (TBA)
Mon. 6 p.m. "Monday Night Karaoke" Hosted by Sweets
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Sat. 8 p.m. Mosey Beat
Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton Location)
20 Pamer Square east Princeton 
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 6 p.m. Rodrigo Bonelli Trio
Sat. (1 p.m.) Oktoberfest (6 p.m.) Mike Noordzy Trio 
Under The Moon 
23 North Union Street Lambertville
(609) 397-1710
Tues. 5:30 p.m. Wine Class: Italy Edition
Vault Brewing Company
10 South Main Street Yardley, PA 
(267) 573-4291
Thurs. 5 p.m. Yardley Night Market Benefitting American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Fri. 7 p.m. Tom Trovas Trio / The Faculty 
Sat. 7 p.m. Omeed Nyman
Mon. 6 p.m. Quizzo
VFW Post 491
9 Fisher Place Yardville 
(609) 585-9645 
Sat. 12 p.m. "Annual BBQ" $20 (advance/$30 door)
All shows ages 21+
Village Idiot Brewing Company
42 High Street Mount Holly
(609) 975-9270 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Sat. 2 p.m. "Rock Out to Stomp Out Cancer 2025" Tricky Tray, Live Music
Villa Mannino 
Route 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9000
Wed. 6 p.m. Light-Up Wooden Halloween Sign Paint Night Hosted by Spotted Frog
West Windsor Arts Center/Nassau Park Pavilion
952 Alexander Road Princeton 
Fri. 7:30 p.m. "Dancing In The Dark" September Dance Party
Whitehill Mansion
217 Fourth Street Fieldsboro
Fri. 7 p.m. FREE Movie Night: "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas"
Working Dog Winery
610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown
(609) 371-6000
Thurs. 4:30 p.m. Vinny Rugnetta
Fri. 4:30 p.m. Justin Love
Sat. 1 p.m. Jersey Surecats
Sun. 1 p.m. Rob Messina
Tues. 6 p.m. Fall Porch Leaners Workshop
WWFM 89.1 FM HD2 Radio
MCCC Old Trenton Road West Windsor
Jazzon2.org
Mon. 7 a.m/7 p.m. "Danny Coleman's Got The Blues" 
Yankee Doodle Tap Room 
10 Palmer Square Princeton 
(609) 921-7500 
Fri. 6 p.m. Nuevo Jazz
Yardley Historical Society 
46 West Afton Avenue Yardley, PA
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. "Trolleys in Bucks County and Yardley" w/ Mike Szilagyi


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.

 

COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Oh Yoko" by Joe Normal

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is a cover of John Lennon's "Oh Yoko" by Joe Normal.




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from September 9-15, 2025




BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 9/8/25




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Tan Lines" by Blaise






 

MORE NEWS

(MADISON, NJ) -- The Concert Hall at Drew University hosts Gypsy: A True Stevie Nicks Experience on Friday, September 20, 2025 at 8:00pm. Stevie fans, this one’s for you. Gypsy isn’t just a tribute—it’s a full-throttle immersion into the voice, style, and spirit of Stevie Nicks.


Dingbatz presents Trashy Annie




Mighty Max Weinberg Brings The Party To The Pony




WXPN Celebrates 1000th Free At Noon Concert with Philadelphia Legends The Hooters




Asbury Park Halloween Food Truck & Music Festival to Take Place October 25-26






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


Makin Waves with Laurie Berkner: Exciting Kids' Imaginations 

Laurie Berkner will perform in support of her new single and video, "Hello River," and recent "Greatest Hits" album on Oct. 5 at URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center.


Makin Waves with The Nelsons: 'A Jersey Family'




2025 Hudson West Fest to Take Place September 13th




Drew University Rocks the House with Legendary Tributes and Live Comedy In September






Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




The Penguin Rocks

© 2025 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
info@newjerseystage.com

Presented by New Jersey Stage

Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and our NJ Stage accounts on Instagram, and Threads


News | Features | Radio Shows | Penguin's Hall of Fame | Song of the Week | BlowUpRadio column

Contact Us | About Us | Submit Music | Ad Rates