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Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Wave" by Scott McDonald

By Bob Makin

originally published: 04/26/2024


The very appropriately entitled Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Wave,” is the second single from Tusk guitarist-vocalist Scott McDonald’s forthcoming solo LP.

Eventually, all the songs on Scott McDonald’s forthcoming self-titled solo LP will be released as singles and videos.

The latest one, “Wave,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Wave” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on April 26 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.

“This song features my great friend and bandmate Tom Nelson on drums and studio wizard Brian J Anthony on bass guitar,” said Scott, guitarist-vocalist of the Hunterdon County-based national Fleetwood Mac tribute act Tusk. “Lyrically, the song is about how things change in the world despite the fact that we wish sometimes they would not.”




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Recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered at Brian J Anthony Studios, “Wave” follows “Kiss the Earth Goodbye,” the album’s first single, the video for which is about to cross 14,000 views in three months.

The song and its clip are a tribute to Alex Honnold and his historic free climb of El Capitan. The video was directed and edited by Jerry Heer of Whirling Dervishes and spouse of Tusk keyboardist-vocalist Kim Williams.

While no solo shows immediately are scheduled, Scott can be seen nationwide with Tusk. Upcoming area shows include May 31, Newton Theatre, Newton; June 1, Levoy Theater, Millville; June 21, Tarrytown Theatre, Tarrytown, NY; July 5, Point of Bluff Vineyard, Hammondsport, NY; July 13, Patchogue Theatre, Patchogue, NY; July 19 and Oct. 4, Town Center, Park-Hamden, CT; July 20, Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA; July 26, State Theater, State College, PA; July 27 and 28 and Dec. 7 and 8, The Lamp, Irwin, PA; Aug. 10, MAYOPAC, Morristown; Aug. 15, Pat Garrett Amphitheater, Bethel, PA; Aug. 29, Mohegan Sun Casino, Wilkes Barre, PA; Sept. 8, Luzerne County Fair, Dallas, PA; Oct. 5, BERGENPAC, Englewood; Nov. 2, Tropicana, Atlantic City; Nov. 9, Carlisle Theatre, Carlisle, PA; Nov. 29, Artsquest Cafe, Bethlehem, PA; Nov. 30, Artsquest Cafe, Bethlehem, PA; Dec. 20, Sellersville Theatre, Sellersville, PA, and Dec. 31, Algonquin Arts Theatre, Manasquan.

For more about Scott, check out his Facebook page. For more about Tusk, click here.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].

About the author:

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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EVENT PREVIEWS

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Adrian Vandenberg "My Whitesnake Years Tour" with Marco Mendoza, and Vinnie Moore on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 8:00pm.

Cape May Convention Hall presents Croce Plays Croce on August 7th

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- A.J. Croce brings his Croce Plays Croce show to the Cape May Convention Hall on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 8:00pm. Son of the legendary singer songwriter, Jim Croce, A.J. purposefully waited thirty years to perform his father's music, only introducing his acclaimed Croce Plays Croce Tour when he felt there was a meaningful way to honor his musical legacy with depth, intention, and musical integrity.

Tropicana Showroom presents Gov't Mule on Friday

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Tropicana Showroom at Tropicana Atlantic City presents Gov't Mule on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 9:00pm. For three decades, Gov't Mule has galvanized a global fan base with their honest, organic and daring music and improvisational virtuosity, leading them to be recognized as one of the most timeless, revered and active bands in the world whose spot amongst rock titans remains unshakable.

bergenPAC presents UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell on Friday

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 8:00pm. UB40's unmistakable blend of reggae rhythms and pop sensibility made them one of the most successful British bands of all time.
Scottish Rite Auditorium presents Hot Tuna on Friday

Scottish Rite Auditorium presents Hot Tuna on Friday

(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- The Scottish Rite Auditorium presents Hot Tuna on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 8:00pm. Hot Tuna, an iconic American blues rock band, has been delivering a profound musical experience to audiences pushing six decades.
State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy

State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. At nearly 90 years old, Buddy Guy remains a singular force in American music. Fresh off earning his ninth Grammy® Award in 2026 for Best Traditional Blues Album (Ain't Done with the Blues), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the last living architects of electric blues will celebrate a historic milestone with the Buddy Guy 90 Tour, featuring select headline performances across North America in 2026.
TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL 80s New Wave Tour Comes to Atlantic City on August 8th

TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL 80s New Wave Tour Comes to Atlantic City on August 8th

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Tour organizers for the acclaimed 80's New Wave tour TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL have announced a line-up change due to the unfortunate cancellation of The Motels. Bow Wow Wow will replace The Motels for some shows and Men Without Hats will replace The Motels for others. The tour comes to the Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The tour's colorful lineup also features Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People, A Flock Of Seagulls, The Producers, Animotion, The Escape Club, and Tommy Tutone. 

State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy on August 8th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents the legendary Buddy Guy on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. Guy won his 9th career Grammy Award for 2025's Ain't Done With The Blues. Limited tickets remain.

The Vogel presents Early Elton Trio on Saturday

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Early Elton Trio on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is a Tribute to the Elton John, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson Trio Tours of 1970 – 1972 featuring Jeff Kazee (Southside Johnny + The Asbury Jukes), Rich Pagano (The Fab Faux) and John Conte (Southside Johnny + The Asbury Jukes).
Todd Rundgren to perform shows in Englewood, Ocean City, and Red Bank in August

Todd Rundgren to perform shows in Englewood, Ocean City, and Red Bank in August

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Legendary producer/songwriter/guitarist Todd Rundgren is bringing his 2026 Damned If I Do Tour to the Garden Sate in August. He's got shows at bergenPAC in Englewood on August 8th; Ocean City Music Pier on August 11th; and Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on August 12th.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA

Wednesday, August 05, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Dead On Live – Bob Weir Tribute

Thursday, August 06, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Mi Gente Live - Mayor's Summer Concert Series

Thursday, August 06, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ


Buddy Guy

Saturday, August 08, 2026 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ


Kat Riggins And Her Blues Revival

Saturday, August 08, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ



 

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