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Makin Waves Song of the Year: “Even Now” by Alexander Simone & the WHODAT? Live Crew

By Bob Makin

originally published: 12/23/2022

Asbury Park-based Alexander Simone & the WHODAT? Live Crew are the winners of the Makin Waves Song of the Year with the Joe Pomarico-produced “Even Now” on Telegraph Hill Records. Alexander & Crew are pictured at the Wonder Bar, where they’ll return Dec. 30 for Telegraph’s annual What a Wonderful World Music Festival. PHOTO BY DOUG DRESHER

Since it dropped in early February on Telegraph Hill Records, Alexander Simone & the WHODAT? Live Crew’s soulful anthem “Even Now” has topped songs released by independent Jersey artists in 2022.

In an encore Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Even Now” also is the Makin Waves Song of the Year.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Year, “Even Now” also can be heard between 6:00pm and 8:00pm on Dec. 23 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.

“Even Now” is an absolutely stunning track about God’s mysterious love, which remains abundant even though we don’t deserve it. Believing that “even now God is with us” despite all our enraging, frustrating differences in the face of hopelessness, Alex produced the gospel-enriched track with Joe Pomarico, an Atlantic Records senior engineer-producer who owns Telegraph Hill, and WHODAT? guitarist Jules Drucker, who adds greatly to the song’s sacred vibe. 




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Another way to say “God with Us” is “Emmanuel,” and there’s no better time to say that than Christmastime! One of the most soul-stirring tunes I’ve heard come out of the New Jersey music scene throughout 42 years of covering it, “Even Now” can be heard live on Dec. 30 at the second night of Telegraph Hill’s annual What a Wonderful Year Music Festival at Asbury’s Wonder Bar, where King Ramses, The Foes of Fern, Pamela Flores, Dan Apy, Blaise, Karma Gambit and more will share the bill. 

For more about Alexander Simone & the WHODAT? Live Crew, click https://linktr.ee/Trulyasimone

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

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones in the Berlind Theatre on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7:30pm. Drawing on her background in jazz guitar and her Japanese heritage, she blends inventive harmonies, intricate rhythms, and bilingual lyricism into a sound that is both intimate and exploratory.
51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park

51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Friends of Clearwater invites everyone to start their Labor Day Weekend at its free 51st Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday September 5, 2026, a late summer, family-friendly celebration of great live music, Mother Earth and more in Sunset Park near the ocean in Asbury Park.
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th

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(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Machine Performs Pink Floyd on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the Newton Theatre. The band has forged a nearly 40 year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. Showtime is 8:00pm.

MPAC presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on September 9th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 7:30pm. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America's favorite female singers for more than two decades.
Prudential Center presents Ella Langley on September 10th

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Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Country Icon Trace Adkins in September

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Multi-PLATINUM entertainer Trace Adkins will bring his 30th Anniversary Tour to the URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Friday, September 18, 2026, for one night only. The show is part of Adkins' nationwide headline tour celebrating 30 years of chart-topping hits and powerhouse live performances. Showtime is 8:00pm.

The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on September 22nd

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Wednesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:00pm. This year marked 33 years since the band arrived on the music scene.
NJPAC presents Salsa icon Tito Nieves on September 26th

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(NEWARK, NJ) -- The internationally celebrated Salsa icon, Tito Nieves - affectionately known as "El Pavarotti de la Salsa" - is set to electrify the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 8:00pm with his tour, "50 Años La Historia... Continúa." The performance will take place at NJPAC's prestigious Prudential Hall, Betty Wold Johnson Stage.
 

FEATURED EVENTS



Mei Semones

Friday, September 04, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ


Mike Zito

Saturday, September 05, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


Melissa Etheridge: RISE

Wednesday, September 09, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Dion

Thursday, September 10, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Moondance - Van Morrison Tribute

Friday, September 11, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


 

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