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By Bob Makin

originally published: 10/14/2022 

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Bruce Tunkel contributed “It’s Not Too Bad” to BlowUp Radio’s annual “Banding Together: Benefit For The Spondylitis Association of America” digital compilation. The tune also is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. PHOTO BY JESSE MICHALSKI

Every year, BlowUp Radio produces the “Banding Together: Benefit For The Spondylitis Association of America” webathon and digital compilation. 

From Oct. 14 to 16, the webathon will feature a total of more than 40 artists each performing 30-minute sets at www.blowupradio.com. Visitors are encouraged to donate at https://spondylitis.org/webathon to support a charity organization dedicated to help those with spondylitis, a genetic rheumatoid arthritic condition that causes inflammation and fusion in the vertebrae of the spine. 

Those who donate will be able to download the 35-song comp of previously unreleased tunes, including acclaimed singer-songwriter Bruce Tunkel’s “It’s Not Too Bad,” the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “It’s Not Too Bad” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Oct. 14 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you also can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin or MixCloud. 

 

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To date, BlowUpRadio.com has raised more than $10,000 for Spondylitis Association, while raising awareness of the genetic disease, which the Centers For Disease Control says affects more than 2.7 million adults in the U.S.

"While it is sad that there is still no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, it means so much to me that we continue to be able to bring together so many amazing artists for our annual benefit for the Spondylitis Association Of America," said Lazlo, the founding producer-host of BlowUpRadio.com and the organizer of Banding Together. "My wife was diagnosed with spondylitis 16 years ago. I have watched the debilitating effects of this disease and the chronic pain and discomfort it causes."

For nearly 22 years, BlowUpRadio has supported the independent New Jersey music scene. Laszlo founded the online station when corporate radio wouldn’t allow him to play as many local acts as he wanted. 

All money raised by Banding Together will go directly to SAA to fund research and provide the programs and services on which the spondylitis community has come to rely.

“I love to support Lazlo and BlowUpRadio!” Bruce said. “He does so much for the music scene here in NJ. It's fun too to find a track to send. In this case, I found a track amongst a bunch that are in process for my next project. ‘It's Not So Bad’ doesn't fit into that, but I like the track.”

Banding Together artists traverse a gambit of genres from easy listening to punk rock to all sorts in between.

During these times when enhanced safety protocols are necessary at live concerts, the Banding Together webathon is unique in that it is strictly virtual, so you can hear it from the comfort of your own home, and all artists will be performing remotely.

Artists scheduled to perform during the Banding Together Webathon include Amanda Rose Riley, Antoine Poncelet Band, Carmen Sclafani of Wiser Time, Catherine Wacha, Christian Beach, Commons 2, Cyborg Amok, DANSPED & The Carpool To Oblivion, Deena of The Cucumbers, Diego Allessandro, Don Lee, erase:rewind, Ferocious Designs, Greg McGarvey, Happy Joe Canzano, Jack McManus from Nick and the Leg-Heavy Boys, Jason Didner, Jason Michael, Jeff DeVito, Joe Billy, Josh Bicknell, Laree Cisco, Mark Parker, Matt Colligan, Motherface, Pat Veil, Pearl Manhattan, Sean Faust, Shotgun Bill, Sonofdov, Teen Idle, The Fisherman & The Sea, The Maravines, The Mighty Alrighty, The Wag, Tim and Brian, Tony Tedesco, and Yupanki. Schedules for each of the webathon’s three days can be found at www.blowupradio.com.

This year’s compilation also features Amanda Rose Riley, Catherine Wacha, Cyborg Amok, Dansped & The Carpool To Oblivion, Deena, Diego Allessandro, erase:rewind, Ferocious Designs, Frank Patrouch, Greg McGarvey, Happy Joe Canzano, Jason Didner, Jason Michael, Josh Bicknell, jpeck, Katye Kellye & The Interruption, Laree Cisco, LEAVETAKING, Little Dipper, Mark Parker, Pat Veil, Pearl Manhattan, RP, Shariese Katrell with Diego Allessandro, Shotgun Bill with the Tango Kid, Smallpox, The Fisherman & The Sea, The Maravines, The Mighty Alrighty, The Random Hubiak, Them Hounds, Tim and Brian, Tony Tedesco & Sean David Cuningham, and Yupanki

For more about Bruce Tunkel, visit brucetunkel.com. 

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at makinwaves64@yahoo.com. 

 

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