Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...10/10/24

By Danny Coleman
originally published: 10/10/2024

"The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash" is a unique and "Historical" look at the music, life and stories of the man who many feel defined Country music in more ways than one and on October 11 it comes to The Newton Theatre here in New Jersey.

Shawn Barker leads his cast of musicians and audiences on a journey through not only Cash's music but also through some of the intimate details of the late star's personal and stage life. 

Recently, Barker talked about how this came about, his personal connection to the music and more. 

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"I was cast in Hollywood in a Broadway play to play the part of Johnny Cash and during the character study and rehearsals I started "The Man In Black" show and it was something that nobody was doing," he began. "You had all kinds of tribute acts out there that were pretty big; even Vegas had a lot of tribute acts that were big and popular; Elvis, Frank Sinatra. When I started in 2003, nobody was doing what I was doing with the Johnny Cash show. Nobody had done it before and it was hugely, hugely successful. When we started that show, I left home and for years, I was gone and on the road almost solid. I might fly home on a Monday or Tuesday, be home on Wednesday and then back out on Thursday so I could do Friday, Saturday, Sunday shows and sometimes I'd be out for two or three weeks at a time because we'd have so many shows, there was no time to go home but it was because it was kind of Frontier Land; Right? Nobody had done it before. There were people doing Johnny Cash in bars or in cover bands or something like that doing "Ring of Fire" or "Folsom Prison" but a full show with costumes, video and lights; a big thing like a full Las Vegas level show; nobody was doing it with Johnny Cash at that time." 

With tribute bands, acts and shows of various varieties extremely popular in today's music climate and prices to attend such events far cheaper than the cost of a concert ticket, one can't help but be nostalgic for when one could see the "Real thing" in the past for the same or lesser amounts being paid to enjoy today's tribute acts.

"The music business has flip-flopped and that's because of iTunes and Napster," explained Barker. "When that whole thing happened and we have a digital world now; when we were coming up, you went and saw a band for nothing because they were there to promote their album and the band and the label made their money on the album. Now, everything is streaming and they're making pennies on the dollar on their album and the only way for them to make any money is five or six hundred dollar ticket prices at venues. You heard; was it Adele or someone like that who had a platinum album or something like that and on one of her songs she had millions of downloads but she only got like fifteen hundred dollars in royalties in a check from Spotify? So, it's not just because of Ticketmaster jacking up prices with all of the junk fees, it's because they don't make money on their music anymore like they used to. I remember buying tickets for a Skid Row and Guns N' Roses concert probably in '88 or '89 and thinking, we've got good seats for $21.99 and that's impossible now. I think tribute acts are getting popular because most of the tribute acts out there are mostly tributes of things you can't see. You can't go see Johnny Cash and if you could, it wouldn't be like seeing Johnny Cash at 35 years old doing "Live in Folsom," it'd be like seeing Johnny Cash at 90 which would be not the same thing. You can't go see Van Halen, Journey is a tribute band of itself now really; most of those guys are and the new music coming up isn't worth going to see. So, People are hungry for the old music and the only way to get it is to go and see a tribute band."

Staying with that theme; why did he settle on sticking with a Cash tribute? Was it perhaps because he had some help of "Presidential" proportions?

"Like I said, that's what I got cast as and I started doing the character study and started doing the "Man In Black" show and it was so massively popular and at that time, like 2003 thru 2008, it was popular beyond; there was a time when we were the number one touring tribute in the whole world. There may have been some Beatles acts that were doing more but things have since slowed down. I've been doing this for 21 years now and COVID really put a slow down on a lot of the touring and a lot of the music business; it's coming back now but it put the brakes on everything for a long time but it suited me well. I enjoyed it, I enjoyed the Cash character, I had roots with the Cash character because he grew up in Arkansas, my dad's family grew up in the same place; cotton farmers. The whole story of Johnny Cash was my family's story and I could relate to it and it was massively successful. I really had no intention of settling on that, that's just the way it went. My very first show was in New Jersey. We did a little concert up in Niagara Falls and I was part of another show before we ever went on tour and we videotaped it so that we would have something to send buyers. The very first contract I got was with Donald Trump. Donald Trump's people called us and booked us for a week at the Trump Marina in Atlantic City. So I tell people that the first person to ever hire me to do Johnny Cash was the President of the United States (Laughs)." 

Time has a way of fading or clouding memory banks and often, as is the case with many of the getting ready to retire classic rock acts of today, people only remember the "Hits" and their sets often include those hits and nothing but those hits but Barker says that he and his band mates delve a bit deeper into the Cash catalog.

"We get into some deeper cuts but of course doing Johnny Cash or any tribute, there is a setlist that you have to stick to. I don't care if it's Queen, I don't care if you're Van Halen, it doesn't matter and for Cash; every night I have to play "Walk The Line," "A Boy Named Sue," "Ring Of Fire," Folsom Prison Blues," "One Piece At A Time;" there are songs that I have to do every night; that can't change and then there are other things that do change. We try to kind of do a chronological show where we start at the beginning of his career and work our way up through the rest of it because he had a huge career; right? He had four decades of music; actually, even more than that, over 50 years of performing because he started right around '56/'57 and his last music was released in 2003. We go all the way up, we do some of the things he was doing with American Records. We touch base on the Folsom and San Quentin albums that he did at the prisons that literally were the catalyst for Johnny Cash's career because when he did those two live prison albums he just, "Boom," he exploded. He was the biggest act in the world for a time. We do that, we touch base on his TV show; pretty much everything. We try to go all the way through his career, I don't really play the part of Johnny Cash as a character, our show is the story of Johnny Cash and his career narrated by Shawn Barker. I'll tell stories because I've got a lot of first hand stories. I worked with Johnny's band and his management back in 2008, I was good friends with his drummer W.S. Holland and I got some cool first hand knowledge, I read all of his books; when you're an actor doing a character study, it's an in-depth thing, it's heavy. So, I learned a lot of great stuff about him and then over the years I picked up things; it's a very historical show as far as narration; this is what was going on or this song was written because of this and it's very cool. We're looking forward to getting back to Newton. I think this is our third or fourth time up there and we love it. We do a lot of East Coast stuff, there are a lot of great venues and people on the East Coast really seem to appreciate a live show."

One can not think of Cash without immediately thinking of his partner on stage and in life, June Carter Cash. Does Barker ever incorporate a June Carter Cash into his act?

"There has been in the past and there will be again but right now that's a no because June Carter is my wife and we just had a baby," he said enthusiastically. "So, there will be a little pause on June Carter, he's not even a year old yet so she's off the road for a little while; maybe next year when he's getting closer to two. We usually come up that way once a year and maybe when he gets closer to two, we'll pull the bus out of storage, put him on the bus and we'll travel that way but right now he's still a little two young to be on the road."

The October 11 show in Newton promises to be more than just a band playing Cash's songs with a few anecdotes thrown in. So; what can show goers expect at The Newton Theatre?

"It's gonna be a good time. We're gonna play a lot of Johnny Cash, we're gonna get all the hits in and if you're a big Johnny Cash fan that has the album collection, then you're gonna hear some songs that maybe some of the other people in the audience might not recognize right off; some of the little deeper cuts and things like that. There is something for everybody there. I've got a full live band, great guys, Nashville, L.A. performers, the best musicians that I could scrounge around and find. I've worked hard and spent a lot of years trying to put together the best band that I can and it's a lot of fun. I think it's different from a lot of other tribute shows that people see. I don't think it's what they expect because it's not kind of a campy, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" kind of thing; we take what we're doing really seriously. Like I said, this Johnny Cash's life through music narrated by me, it's not put on tongue in cheek or anything like that. It's a serious show about Johnny Cash's life and history which, I don't know if you know but recently, the very first musician ever, Johnny Cash was unveiled inside the capitol building. He has his own statue inside the U.S capitol building in Washington, DC. Every state has a statue of people who represent their state and Arkansas unveiled an eight foot statue of Johnny Cash inside the capitol building. I think he's the only musician to be recognized inside the capitol building like that." 

To discover more about Shawn Barker and his long-running Johnny Cash tribute, please visit https://themaninblack.com/

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!

 

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This week's event listings

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Ace Cafe 
15 Market Place New Hope, PA
Thurs. 6 p.m. Bike Night
Fri. 6 p.m. Hyundai / Kia Performance Night
Sat. 11 a.m. Classic car Meet
Sun. 11 a.m. British car & Bike Meet

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Allentown Borough
Main Street Allentown
Thurs. 10:15 a.m. Baby Storytime (Takes place at 16 South Main Street)
Sat. 10 a.m. Allentown Fall Festival feat. (1 p.m.) Runaway Train (Takes place at 28 Main Street in the Beer Garden)
Sun. 10 a.m. Allentown Fall Festival feat. Pennington Station Band (Takes place at 28 Main Street in the Beer Garden)

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Al's Airport Inn
636 Bear Tavern Road West Trenton
(609) 883-5252 
Thurs. (5 p.m.) Jonathan Savage (8 p.m.) Trivia w/ WPST 94.5 
Sat. (12 p.m.) Acoustic Brunch w/ Jerry Monk (5 p.m.) Rick Winow (8 p.m.) "Spooktober" Midnight Margaritas: Dress Like a Witch or a Warlock
Sun. 7:30 p.m. DJ Bobby Jones 
Mon. 5 p.m. Joe Hutchinson
Tues. 7 p.m. Mike & Laura
Wed. 7 p.m. Mark Sacco

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Ancient Order of Hibernians 
2419 Kuser Road Hamilton 
Fri. 7 p.m. Live Band Karaoke w/ Some Assembly Required

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Aristaeus Brewing
2475C Big Oak Road Langhorne, PA 
(215) 757-2337
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Fri./Sat. 7 p.m. No Hope After Dark  
Arts Council of Princeton 
102 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-8777 
Fri. 7 p.m. Hispanic Heritage Month Dance Party 
Sat. 11 a.m. Ceramic Scavenger Hunt
Wed. 7 p.m. JAM: Jersey Art Meet-Up

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Ashlynn Distillery 
32 West Bridge Street Morrisville, PA 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Cecil & Carl
Fri. 7 p.m. Mike Goldman
Sat. 7 p.m. Michael Patrick
Sun. 3 p.m. Cecil & Troy 
Wed. 6 p.m. Cara Cartney

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Bent Iron Brewing
70 Extonville Road Hamilton
Fri. 5 p.m. Georgia Owen
Sat. 5 p.m. Kyle Ahern

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Bill's Olde Tavern
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Fri. 7 p.m. Honey Spot Boulevard
Sat. 7 p.m. Gypsy Ramblers
Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Tues. 8 p.m. / Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke 
Ages 21+

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Bit-hin' Kitten Brewery
58-B East Bridge Street Morrisville, PA
(267) 799-5348
Wed. 7 p.m. Quizzo

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Bordentown City
Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
Fri. 7 p.m. "Frightening Fridays!" Haunted History Tours. $20
Sat. 12 p.m. Bordentown Walking Tours. $20 

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Boro Bean 
9 East Broad Street Hopewell 
(609) 466-6681 
Sat. 11 a.m. John Abbott 

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Bowman's Tavern 
1600 River Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Mark Smith Duo
Fri. (5:30 p.m.) Bennett Lee (8 p.m.) Bob Egan 
Sat. 7 p.m. Wendi & The Lost Boys
Sun. (12 p.m.) Bill Avayou Trio (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Tues. 6 p.m. Soul Custody
Wed. 6 p.m. Liz DuFour

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Broken Goblet Brewing
2500 State Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 812-5653
Fri. 7:30 p.m. The Hillbilly Moon Explosion, Screamin' Rebel Angels, The Atomic Bats. $21.73, doors open at 7 p.m. 
Sat. 7:30 p.m. NERVER, Oh, Are They?, Last Century. (FREE event), ages 18+

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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

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Catch A Rising Star (Hyatt Regency Princeton) 
102 Carnagie Center Princeton
(781) 568-1471
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Nelson, Jeffrey Paul Hosted by Dena Blizzard.  $26.50, Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 7:30 p.m.  Bob Nelson, Jeffrey Paul Hosted by Dena Blizzard.  $26.50, Doors open at 7 p.m.

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Cazz's Sports Bar 'N' Grille
1560 Haines Road Levittown, PA 
(267) 580-5469 
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul

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City Streets
510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Sat. 9 p.m. The Danger Dogs

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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

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Clubhouse at Mountain View (The Patio)
850 Bear Tavern Road Ewing 
(609) 538-0808
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Full Grown Men

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Continental Tavern
2 North Main Street Yardley, PA  
(215) 493-9191
Sat. 8 p.m. Mark Robidoux

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Cooper's Riverview                                                                     
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Lovelight
Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour (7 p.m.) Se7en / DJ John Rossi
Sat. 7 p.m. Big Whiskey  

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Crossing Vineyard and Winery
1853 Wrightstown Road Washington Crossing, PA
(215) 493-6500 
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Chalk, Talk and Wine
Sat. 2:30 p.m. "Harvest Celebration" w/ Sweet Spot
Sun. 2 p.m. "Harvest Celebration" w/ Rodney Wright  

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Crosswicks Community House 
480 Main Street Crosswicks
(609) 442-5830
Fri. 6:30 p.m. FREE Outdoor Movie Night: "The Super Mario Bros. Movie"

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Curran’s Irish Inn
1909 Bristol Pike Bensalem, PA
(215) 245-1800
Thurs. 7 p.m. Music Bingo 
Mon. 7:30 p.m. Quizzo

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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 

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Dadz Bar and Grill 
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609)267-4344
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic w/ Jimmy Mannix
Fri. 7 p.m. Night Magic
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic 
Wed. 6 p.m. Original Music Open Mic Night Hosted by Carie Lynne McKay

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Delorenzo's Tomato Pies
1707 Langhorne Yardley Road Yardley, PA
(215) 493-1006
Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Frank Pinto & Richie Z

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Dharma Bums 
4935 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 663-2867
Thurs. 7 p.m. The Wild Hymns
Fri. 8 p.m. Shakedown Citi. $15 (advance)
Sat. (1 p.m.) Craft & a Cocktail: Ceramic Mug Making Workshop. $65 (8 p.m.) Phish Tribute w/ "Uncle Ebenezer" $10 (advance)
Sun. 1 p.m. Drum Circle. $10 or Pay what you can
Wed. (5:30 p.m.) Meridi-yin Yoga to the Sounds of The Grateful Dead. $20 (7 p.m.) DBums Hootenanny: An Open Mic of Music, Comedy & Spoken Word Hosted by Michael Henry Robert

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Eddington House Bensalem
2813 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA 
(215) 639-1220 
Fri. 9 p.m. Bigg Romeo
Sat. 8:30 p.m. GruvTyme
Mon. 5:30 p.m. "Family Fun Night" w/ Amazing Balloon Creations by Kelsi-Joe

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Escape Resort, Restaurant & Bar 
120 Pheasant Run Road Newtown, PA 
Tues. 6 p.m. Karaoke

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Florence Township Municipal Complex
711 Broad Street Florence
Sat. 10 a.m. Florence Township Fall Festival

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Flying Pig Tavern & Tap 
167 US-Route 130 North Bordentown 
(609) 899-7447
Thurs. BINGO
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia 

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Forsgate Country Club   
375 Forsgate Drive Monroe
(732) 521-0700 
Sun. 12 p.m. Halloween "Spooktacular"

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Founding Father's Sports Bar & Grill 
2900 Street Road Bensalem, PA 
(215) 923-1100
Fri. 6 p.m. Bob Pantano Dance Party w/ DJ Joe Castro 

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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.)

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German American Society 
215 Uncle Pete's Road Hamilton 
(609) 585-5200
Sun. 10 a.m. VolAux at Jersey Iron Biketober Swap Meet and Bike Show

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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 (9:30 p.m.) Karaoke
Fri. (6 p.m.) "Happy Hour" (8 p.m.) Velvt Snow
Sat. (12 p.m.) "Pink Warriors" Fundraiser (8 p.m.) SpareParts 
Tues. 7 p.m. Game Show Palooza

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Green Parrot Restaurant Pub, & Patio
240 North Sycamore Street Newtown Township, PA 
(215) 504-7277 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Quizzo
Fri.  8 p.m. Danny Lynch Duo
Sat. (8 p.m.) Brian McConnell (9 p.m.) LeCompt 

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Grover's Mill Coffee House 
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction   
(609) 716-8771  
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Wade Prestridge

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Hamilatte Cafe
1971 Route 33 Hamilton
Sat. 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Saturdays feat. John Ezzo, Carolyn Norulak, Gino Formaroli

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Hamilton Tap & Grill
557 US Route 130 North Hamilton 
(609) 905-0925
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Music Bingo w/ DJ Nebbs
Sat. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia

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Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 7 p.m. Funk & Blues Jam Hosted by The Slidewinder Blues Band
Fri. ( 8 p.m.) "Almost Santana" Santa Tribute. $35 (11 p.m. ) DJ Dance Party 
Sat. (3 p.m.) Full Grown Men (8:30 p.m.) Buzzer Band (11:59 p.m.) DJ Dance Party 
Sun. 6 p.m. "Starman" David Bowie Tribute. $30
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Steve
Tues. 7 p.m. Jillian Ashcroft Jazz Quartet 
Wed. 7 p.m. Jumper Duo

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Hopewell Boro Park 
Columbia Avenue at Greenwood Avenue Hopewell Borough
Sun. 12 p.m. Hopewell Borough "Porchfest" (Takes place on various porches throughout the borough)

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Hopewell Valley Golf Club
114 Pennington-Hopewell Road Hopewell
(609) 737-1199
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Progressive Trivia

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Hopewell Valley Vineyards
46 Yard Avenue Pennington 
(609) 737-4465 
Fri. 4 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. (5:30 p.m.) Deb & Mike
Sat. (9 a.m.) WWFM (1 p.m.) Bud & Carm 
Sun. 2:30 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Mark Feingold Group

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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. 
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Tuesday
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic w/ Laura Fiocco

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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

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Irish Rover Station House 
1033 South Bellevue Avenue Langhorne, PA 
(215) 970-5412 
Wed. 7 p.m. Quizzo Night

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Iron Plow Vineyards
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus 
(732) 306-9111 
Fri. 5:30 p.m. Jo Wymer Band
Sat. 4:30 p.m. Ronnie Brandt
Sun. 1 p.m. Radio Fiction

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Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton 
(609) 888-1435 
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke 
All shows 21+    

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John & Peter's
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa 
(215) 862-5981 
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic Comedy Night (Sign-ups start at 8 p.m.) 
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+

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Joseph Lawrence Park
317 Ward Avenue Bordentown
Sat. 12 p.m. Fall Festival

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Killarney's Publick House
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166 
Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Joanna Caruso / Ken Dubman Duo
Fri. (5:30 p.m.) Lou Mutter (10 p.m.) DJ Jimmy G
Sat. (10 a.m.) Brunch (5:30 p.m.) Joanna Caruso (10 p.m.) DJ Bay
Sun. 10 a.m. "Sunday Funday" Brunch 
Mon. 5 p.m. Kids Night w/ Wednesday Adams

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Lambertville House 
32 Bridge Street Lambertville
(609) 397-0200 
Sun. 12 p.m. "Walking Food Tour"

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Laurita Winery 
85 Archertown Road New Egypt 
(609) 752-0200 
Thurs. (5:15 p.m. / 6 p.m.) Pumpkin Pick & Sip (7 p.m.) Laurita Idol Finals
Fri. (4 p.m.) Pumpkin Picking (5:15 p.m. / 6 p.m.) Pumpkin Pick & Sip (7 p.m.) Wade Preston's Billy Joel Tribute
Sat. "Fall Fest" feat. (11 a.m.) Vinyl Countdown (2:30 p.m.) Pennington Station (6 p.m.) Strictly '60s 
Sun. 11 a.m. "Fall Fun"

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Library Company of Burlington
23 West Union Street Burlington
(609) 3861273
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Night 

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Lillipies Bakery
30 North Harrison Street Princeton 
(609) 423-2100  
Sat. 10 a.m. Storytime with Jeff

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Locust Hall at Johnson's Farm
2691 Monmouth Road Jobstow 
(609) 723-2630  
Sat./Sun. 10 a.m. Fall Harvest Festival 

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Logan Inn 
10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-2300
Thurs. 6 p.m. Glenn & Oria
Fri. 7 p.m. Aaron Quarterman
Sat. 7 p.m. Max Rogers
Sun. 11:30 a.m. BD Lenz Trio
Wed. 6 p.m. Tom Reyes 

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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  

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Main Street Mt. Holly  
28 Washington Street Mt. Holly  
(609) 914-0811 
Fri./Sat. 7 p.m./8 p.m.  Mount Holly Haunted History Tour. $20 (Ages 12 and under $15)
Sat. 1 p.m. Fall Fest (Takes place at Mill Race Village)
Sun. 7 p.m. Mount Holly Haunted History Tour. $20 (Ages 12 and under $15)

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Marcello's Coal Fired Restaurant/Pizza/Bordentown
206 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 298-8360
Tues. 7 p.m. Halloween Candle Holder Dinner and Paint Night.

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McStews Irish Sports Pub
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 949-9570 
Sat. 9 p.m. "Big Balls 79" AC/DC Tribute
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Trivia Night

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Mitchell's Cafe`
11 Church Street Lambertville
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Oktoberfest Oompah Jam

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Music Mountain Theater
1483 Route 179 Lambertville
(609)397-3337
Fri. 8 p.m. "Clue"
Sat. 3 p.m./ 8 p.m. "Clue"
Sun. 3 p.m. "Clue"

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Naked Brewing Company 
212 Mill Street Bristol, PA 
(267) 544-7129
Thurs.6:30 p.m. Dana Collins Project 
Sat. 7 p.m. WURL
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia

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Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company 
909 Ray Avenue Croydon, PA 
(215) 458-7081
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia Night 

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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

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New Hope Inn & Suites (Diva Lounge)
6426 Lower York Road New Hopoe, PA
(855) 229-5934
Sat. 8 p.m. Redbird / Christine Martucci

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New Hope Winery / Tavern 
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 794-2331 
Sat. 8 p.m. Cars Tribute w/ "Best Friends Girl"  

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Newtown Brewing Company
103 Penns Trail Newtown, PA 
(215) 944-8609 
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. "Pop Culture" Trivia 
Fri. 6 p.m. Allison Landon
Sat. 6 p.m. Aaron Quarterman
Wed. 4 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Bill Monach

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Nick's Roast Beef
4501 Woodhaven Road West Philadelphia, PA 
(215) 637-515
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Fri. 9 p.m. LeCompt
Sat. 9 p.m. Fish Out of Water
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke

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NJWeedman's Dispensary
322 East State Street Trenton
(609) 437-0898
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke

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Nomad Distilling Company
20 South Main Street New Hope, PA
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch

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Nottingham Tavern 
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square 
(609) 587-6623
Thur. 9:30 pm. Karaoke w/ Super Dave Curtis 
Sat. 9:30 p.m. El Ka Bong
Mon. 6 p.m. BINGO
Tues. 6:30 p.m. "Prime Rib Night" w/ Music by Radio Fiction
Ages 21+   

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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 

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Old Hights Brewing 
123 West Ward Street Hightstown 
(609) 469-5976
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Happy Hour"
Sat. 6 p.m. JT Rox Duo
Wed. 6:30 p.m. Trivia Night 

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Old Town Pub
135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown 
(609) 291-9232
Thurs. 7 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia
Fri. 9 p.m. The Suyat Duo
Sat. 9 p.m. John Coler Trio
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch

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Palmer Square 
40 Nassau Street Princeton 
Sat. 12 p.m. Fall Music Series feat. Eco del Sur
Sun. 1 p.m. Music Fest Sundays feat. Jerzy Merzy Beat Beatles Tribute

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Pasquale's Sports Bar 
9078 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA 
(267) 202-6268 
Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke

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Patriots Crossing 
1339 River Road Titusville 
(609) 737-2780
Thurs. 8 p.m. Ladies Night  
Sat. 8 p.m. Spanky's garage
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo"

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Plainsboro Preserve
80 Scotts Corner Road Cranbury
(609) 799-4013
Thurs. (4 p.m.) Forever 55 Creative Gardening & Cooking (4:15 p.m.) Seeking Interest: Nature Journaling & Photography for Teens 
Fri. 7 p.m. FREE Outdoor Movie Night: "Disney's Haunted Mansion"
Sat. (6:45 a.m.) Adult's Nature Photography Meet-Up: Early Morning/Sunrise Session (9 a.m.) Bird Watching on the Trails of the Preserve (Ages 8-12) (10 a.m.) Fiber Arts Workshop: Felted Cobweb Wrap (7 p.m.) Dancing & Dessert
Tues. (11 a.m.) Forever 55 Archery (4:15 p.m.) Nature Play (6 p.m.) Day's End Yoga
Wed. (4 p.m.) Archery for Ages 9-11 (5:15 p.m.) Archery for Ages 12-15

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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

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Puss N Boots Tavern
942 Trenton Road Fairless Hills, PA
Fri. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia

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Randy Now's Man Cave
119 West Ward Street Hightstown 
(609) 424-3766
Thurs. 7 p.m. Steve Wynn
Fri. 7 p.m. Billy Bremner's Rockfile. $40

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Ristorante LUCCA & Piano Lounge 
144 US Route 130 Bordentown 
(609) 262-0110
Thurs. 8 p.m. Jazz Night 

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River Horse Brewery
2 Graphics Drive Ewing
Sat. 7 p.m. "Laughs & Lagers" Stand Up Comedy Night Hosted by James McAliney feat. Troy Moore, Belynda Cleare.  $12.51-71.21  

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River House at Odette’s 
274 South Rive Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 682-2022 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Cara Cartney 
Fri. Laura Hull Duo
Sat. 7 p.m. Bob Egan

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Rosedale Mills 
101 Route 31 North Pennington 
(609) 737-2008 
Sat. 10 a.m. Pennington Farmers Market Shop Local day

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Rose Hill Assisted Living
1150 Washington Boulevard Robbinsville
Fri. 6 p.m. FREE Halloween Movie Night Outside on the Lawn: "Hocus Pocus"  

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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

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Salon 33 
794 Alexander Road Princeton 
Fri. 7 p.m. Riverview early Music
Sat. Dumas String Quartet
Sun. 7 p.m. Piazolla Project  

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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 

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Second Sin Brewing Company
1500 Grundy Lane Bristol, P
(267) 812-5251
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia

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Shady Brook Farm 
931 Stony Hill Road Yardley, PA 
(215) 968-1670 
Fri. 6 p.m. "UnWINEd" Concert feat. Shot of Southern. $12 (advance/online, $15 at door), doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Sat. "Fall Festival" feat. (12 p.m.) E Boro Bandits (6 p.m.) The Naturals
Sun. "Fall Festival" feat. (12 p.m.) 2nd Chance
Wed. 6 p.m. Kindred Spirit

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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

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Small World Coffee 
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-4377 x2 
Sat. 7 p.m. Gabriel Bar-Cohen

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Sparky World-Famous Beer Garden
4333 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 943-2321 
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dana
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Frank Green Project
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 
Wed. 8 p.m. Friends of the Devil

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Starving Artist Cafe
18 Bridge Street Stockton
Fri. 6 p.m. Lisa Bouchelle

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Steam Pub 
606 2nd Street Pike Southampton, PA 
Sat. 10:30 p.m. EarCandy  

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Tavern On The Lake 
101 Main Street Hightstown 
(609) 426-9345  
Fri. 9 p.m. Black Rose
Tues. 6 p.m. Trivia 
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke 

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Temperance House
5 South State Street Newtown, PA 
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7 p.m. Steve Guyger and Filthy Rich 
Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia Hosted by Neville Esquire
Tues. 7 p.m. Beginner Line Dance Lessons w/ Jeremy Line Dance. $40/4 Weeks 
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Cara Cartney

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TGI Fridays 
780 Route 130 South Hamilton
(609) 581-6910 
Sun. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Burn

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TGI Fridays
2703 Mount Holly Road Suite 3 Washington Twp.
(609) 239-486 
Thurs. 7 p.m.  Trivia  

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TGI Fridays
3535 U.S. Route 1 North #275 Princeton
(609) 520-0378
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia Night 

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The Beer Garden and Education Center at Snipes Farm
890 West Bridge Street Morrisville, PA 
Sun. 10 a.m. Family Fall Festival. $12

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The Birdhouse Center For The Arts
7 North Main Street Lambertville
(215) 681-4660
Mon. 8 p.m. Faoileaan
Tues. 7:30 p.m. NJNO the "not just nyckelharpa orchestra" Community Orchestra

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The Buck Hotel 
1200 Buck Road Feasterville, PA 
(215) 396-2002 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Kirko
Fri. 8 p.m. The Naturals
Sat. (11 a.m.) Brunch (9 p.m.) Bigg Romeo
Tues. 6 p.m. Danny Lynch Project

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The Cool Cricket
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Dave Curtis
Sat. 9 p.m. Ryptyde

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The Corner Inn
24509 East Main Street Columbus
(609) 298-8543
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Burn

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The Cure Insurance Center  
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton  
(609) 656-3200  
Sun. 9 a.m. Central Jersey Pop-Warner Cheerleading  

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The Dubliner
34 North Main Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 693-1816
Fri. 7 p.m. Seamus Kelleher
Sat. 7 p.m. Na Bodach
Sun. 2 p.m. David Falcone 

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The Federal Twist Vineyard 
8 Federal Twist Road Stockton
(609) 773-6066 
Sat. (11 a.m.) Vinyasa & Vino (12 p.m.) The Inflexables. $5 (Ages 20 and under FREE)
Sun. 12 p.m. Strange Brew Crew. $5 (Ages 20 and under FREE)

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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. The Groove Dudes
Sat. 9 p.m. The Posers
Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo w/ Jonathan Appel
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia w/ Jonathan 

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The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. (7 p.m.) Bingo (10 p.m.) Karaoke w/ Trey Brown
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Diablo Sandwich Band
Sat. 9:30 p.m. DJ Slick
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv 
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Trey Brown

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The Morrisville Tavern 
376 West Trenton Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-5310
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 8 p.m. Luke Disangro
Sat. 8 p.m. Never Enough
Mon. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia Night 

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The Newtown Theatre
120 North State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 968-3859
Thurs. 8 p.m. A Tribute to Journey & The Women of Rock w/ "Highway Run" $40.10
Fri. 8 p.m. "Last Child"Aerosmith Tribute. $40.10
Sat. 8 p.m. Nashville Nights: The Ultimate '90s Country Experience. $40.10
Sun. 3 p.m. Emily Grove's Joni Mitchell Jam. $45.34
Wed. 3 p.m. The Greatest Hits of Broadway. $29.62

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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. G-Shaw The Garden State Great and a Call from Tenk Van Dool & Pete Sears.
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

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The Roost
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 8 p.m. Even Odds
Sat. 8 p.m. The Fry Boys
Tues. Music BINGO
Wed. 6 p.m. Joe Vadala

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The Sycamore Grill
255 North Sycamore Street Newtown, PA
(215) 908-6326 
Sat. 8 p.m. Bruce Springsteen Tribute w/ "Plush"

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The Union Firehouse
18 Washington Street Mount Holly
(609) 288-6491
Fri. 7 p.m. "Punktober" feat. The Chemical Imbalance, The Deflators, 19DRT, Erin Incoherent, Poison IV. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Hide and Shriek Tour" feat. Sister Sleep, Wih Sails Ahead, Old Friends, Revenants, Grudgstep, Shivan. $12 (advance), doors open at 6 p.m.

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The Union House 
19 East Union Street Burlington
(609) 531-6077
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 8 p.m. The Privileged Few
Sat. (10 a.m.) Brunch (8 p.m.) Dave Cudrak
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch 

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Tindall Road Brewing Co.
102 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 526-8651 
Wed. (6 p.m.) Books & Beer (7 p.m.) Lil Brewery Trivia

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Tir Na Nog 
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton 
(609) 392-2554
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" 
All Shows 21+

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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

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Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
801 West State Street Trenton 
Sat. 7 p.m. Westminster Choir: "Evensong"

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Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Sun. 2 p.m. Kindred Spirit

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Vault Brewing Company
10 South Main Street Yardley, PA 
(267) 573-4291
Thurs. 6 p.m. Gene Shepherd
Fri. 7 p.m. Tom Trovas Duo
Sat. 7 p.m. Suzette Ortiz and Her Latin Ensemble

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Village Idiot Brewing Company
42 High Street Mount Holly
(609) 975-9270 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Sun. 1 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Logan Torwich

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Von Thun's Country Farm Market
505 Ridge Road South Brunswick
Sat./Sun. 10 a.m. Fall Festival PLUS Weekend. $22.99
Mon. 11 a.m. Columbus Day Fall Fun

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Wesley Grove Chapel 
4800 South Broad Street Yardville
Fri. 7 p.m. Movie Night Under The Stars: "The Prince of Egypt" (FREE event)

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West Hill Manor 
1114 Oxmead Road Burlington 
Sat. 7 p.m. NJPI Presents: An Evening at the West Hill Manor Paranormal Investigation. Co-hosted by Beth O'Brien.

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Wildflowers Too
255 Route 156 Yardville
(609) 585-5483
Wed. 7 p.m. Poker Night

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Woodlin Lodge 30
19 Park Street Bordentown
(609) 298-9849
Fri. 8 p.m. Fridays On Park Street

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Working Dog Winery
610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown
(609) 371-6000
Thurs. 4:30 p.m. Vinny Rugnetta
Sat. 1 p.m. Jersey SureCats
Sun. 1 p.m.  Rich Boland

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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"

About the author:

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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.

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