By Bob Makin
originally published: 04/03/2026
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Promises” from Jersey Shore-based roots rocker Dave Vargo’s latest album, “Ghost Towns.” PHOTO BY JOHN DECKER
Everyone will be able to relate to Jersey Shore roots rocker Dave Vargo’s song “Promises” because it’s about broken promises.
The tune from the new album, “Ghost Towns,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Promises” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on April 3 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin, Mixcloud and RadioJersey.net.
“‘Promises’ is the next to last song that I wrote for the album,” Dave said. “Broken promises start when we are young and continue the rest of our lives.”
Co-produced by Dave and his longtime producer-engineer, “Ghost Towns” was recorded at Lakehouse Recording Studio, Asbury Park, with Dave on guitars and vocals, Tim on drums, Todd Lanka on bass, and Danielle “Redbird” Marrone on backing vocals. Tim has worked with Ray LaMontagne, Nicole Atkins, and Paramore.
Throughout “Ghost Towns,” Dave walks with spirits both lost and found with signature guitar riffs, big choruses, and insightful lyrics. The songs are cryptic and poetic, filled with empathy for the characters Dave writes about, including himself. Along with his robust, sometimes gritty voice, he takes you through a storytelling landscape.
Dave’s guitar skills run the gamut from technically difficult licks and sweet solos to warm melodies that stay with you long after listening to them. This album is meant to be listened to from top to bottom, with songs like “Anything At All,” “Tales To Tell,” and “Those Little Things.” Think Album Oriented Rock Radio format from the 1970s and 80s, no skips, no flips; only start overs.
As “Ghost Towns” closes out with “Where It Started,” Dave is in reflection mode.
“As our world turns faster than ever, songs are supposed to help us heal, break, and heal again,” Dave said. “I am not a prolific writer. It takes time for the songs to emerge. It takes even longer for a collection to come together. I'm not really sure where the songs come from most of the time. But I'm sure happy when they do. I feel really good about this collection of songs and stories.”
Digging into Dave’s musical journey and how he got here reveals many avenues of education, from the college classroom to the international stage. A New Jersey native had his eye on the guitar from an early age. A graduate of Boston’s Berklee College of Music, Dave’s musical career has a winding path of notable experiences, including solo recordings and performances, group collaborations, session work, and performances with Phoebe Snow, Rupert Holmes, and Vonda Shepard, as well as touring with musical sensation Whitney Houston.
All have led to his current proclivity as a singer-songwriter who embraces a unique blend of Americana, country, rock, and folk. His influences include Wilco, Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt and Will Hoge.
“I loved the musicality, the quality of the lyrics, infusing meaning into music,” Dave said.
“Ghost Towns” is preceded by three albums: the 2016 solo debut, “Burning Through,” the 2019 sophomore outing, “Spaces In Between,” and 2022’s “Crooked Miles.” Each has been critically acclaimed by critics and warmly received by fans. Press accolades have flowed from American Songwriter, The Aquarian Weekly, New Jersey Stage, and the U.K.’s Lonesome Highway.
Along with regular shows across New Jersey and neighboring New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, Dave is actively involved in the New Jersey music scene as both an event organizer and a leader. From 2016 to 2019, he organized “The Pierce Sessions,” monthly performance showcases at Pierce Presbyterian Church in Farmingdale. He also launched the “Not Quite Nashville” songwriter series in 2021, which now takes place at Calgo Gardens in Freehold. A very special weekly music event is Dave’s “2forTuesday” series on Facebook, which has garnered a substantial following. Started during the pandemic to give singer-songwriters a chance to perform, the program is still running strong at more than 295 episodes and counting!
Upcoming 7:30 pm episodes on Facebook include appearances by:
* Rory D’Lasnow, April 7
* Robinson Treacher, April 14
* Joel Shewmake, April 21
* Will Dailey, April 28
See Dave live opening for folk legend Lucy Kaplansky April 18 at Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove.
Stream “Ghost Towns” on Apple Music and Spotify.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram and contact Bob at [email protected].
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
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