New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Wheel" by Jackson Pines


By Bob Makin

originally published: 04/28/2023


“Wheel,” Jackson Pines’ first original release in two years, is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. PHOTO BY WATERMRK STUDIOS

Earlier this year, Jackson Pines released what so far has been my favorite Jersey album of the year. But “Pine Barrens Volume One” is a collection of covers of old folk songs written in and/or about Jersey Pinelands.

Recently, Jackson Pines followed that  amazing album with their first original tune in two years, “Wheel,” the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Wheel” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on April 28 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin or MixCloud.

“Wheel” is the title track single off a fall- bound LP.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



The beautifully rootsy single sounds like the musical equivalent of a river cascading over slippery rocks as pines whisper in the breeze and provide shade to crispy leaves riding downstream. There’s a reason they’re called Jackson Pines.

“Wheel” was recorded at Ace Ender's studio in Hammonton, produced by the band, engineered and mixed by Tyler Sarfert and mastered by Dana Yurcisin.

For years, the original duo of singer-songwriter-guitarist-harmonicist Joe Makoviecki and upright bassist James Black tried to get into the New Jersey Folk Festival, but they always were considered too much of roots rock band. Ironically, after expanding into even more of a rock unit with drummer-mandolinist Cranston Dean and banjoist-mandolinist-flutist Max Carmichael, they finally landed their first NJFF gig based on the passionate authenticity, inspired arrangements and strong performances of the history-rich “Pine Barrens Volume One.”

Jackson Pines will make their festival debut on April 29 on the Eagleton lawn of Rutgers University with more appearances sure to come in the wake of what seems like a “Pine Barrens” series.

The LP, which was a Makin Waves Album of the Month, also impressed PBS, who produced a documentary about the band. “Bringing It All Back Home,” a half-hour episode of PBS’ “Here’s the Story” series, can be enjoyed here. In addition to “Pine Barrens,” the doc focuses Joe & James’ roots in the Pinelands of Jackson, including their close, longtime relationship with Albert Hall, the Grand Ole Opry of the Jersey Pines.

“Glad to use our platform to shine a light on the Pine Barrens and the folks who make Albert Music Hall what it is, an American treasure,” Jackson Pines posted after the episodes April 26 premiere.

A second “Wheel” single will be released in summer. Meanwhile, enjoy Jackson Pines live May 5, Blue Moon Theater, Woodstown; May 13, Franklin Parker Preserve, Chatsworth; May 20, a secret show in the Pine Barrens (contact the band for details); May 29, Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park; June 8, Steelstacks, Bethlehem, Pa.; June 9 at an Atlantic City venue to be announced; June 10, The Grape Room, Philadelphia, and June 30, Baronet Rooftop, Asbury Park, with Connor Bracken and the Mother Leeds Band and The Vaughns.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



For more, click on www.jacksonpines.com

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



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.

 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Rick

Rick Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young to bring the "I Want My 80s Tour" to NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready to revive the spirit of the 1980s! Iconic rock star and eternal heartthrob Rick Springfield, a true emblem of the '80s music scene, is set to take the stage on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Showtime is 7:00pm.



Young

Young the Giant to Play Tropicana Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Critically-acclaimed, multi-platinum selling band Young the Giant announces the In The Open 2025 Acoustic Tour. An intimate concert experience performed in beautiful spaces and venues around the country, the band will be supported by Cassandra Coleman (debut album produced by Jack Antonoff out June 6 via Warner) throughout. Locally, the tour comes to Tropicana Atlantic City on Saturday, July 12, 2025.



West

West Windsor Arts presents Summer Music and More: Channel Collective

(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- West Windsor Arts presents Channel Collective on Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. Dan Kassel and Friends, featuring Gregg Merkle, will open the night. This is the first of three in their free summer concert series sponsored by Site Centers. Admission is free.



Asbury

Asbury Lanes presents There, There - A Tribute to Radiohead

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Lanes presents There, There on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 8:00pm. They are the premier Radiohead tribute act, playing songs from throughout the band's iconic multi-decade catalogue.



All-Bluegrass,

All-Bluegrass, All Night: Live at Albert Music Hall on July 12th

​​​​​​​(WARETOWN, NJ) -- On Saturday, July 12, 2025, Albert Music Hall will present an evening dedicated entirely to Bluegrass music. The event begins at 6:00pm and features six live performances, each offering a 30-minute set, showcasing both new and returning acts.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


There,

There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead)

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Asbury Lanes
209 4th Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
category: music


 

Band

Band Infusion Musical Night by GG

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Annual

Annual Jazz, Health and Food Truck Festival 2025

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 11:00am
Monte Irvin Orange Park
S center and South Harrison Street, Orange, NJ 07050
category: music


 

The

The Fumos

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Michael

Michael Allman Band (evening show)

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music