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Michael Des Barres and Kris Rodgers Team Up On New Single "Bounce Back Baby"

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 09/02/2023


Rock n' Roll icon, musician, actor, and Little Steven's Underground Garage radio host Michael Des Barres has teamed up with Portland, ME musician Kris Rodgers (Kris Rodgers and the Dirty Gems, Kurt Baker) on a new single titled "Bounce Back Baby" out now on Wicked Cool Records.

Des Barres says, "I have always admired Kris Rodgers's work. I felt he had an innate rhythm and blues feel to his songwriting. I wanted to do a couple of songs with piano and wonderful backup singers, and also with his great band, the Dirty Gems. I am so pleased with the results, and our co-producer Dave Draper and Wicked Cool Records, of course. I believe in the positivity of life more than I ever have because we need it so badly, which is in essence what the lyric implies. Get up on your feet again, and fall in love with yourself!"

Rodgers adds, "Michael and I started talking during the summer of 2021 about possibly working together. We hit it off! Writing music for "Bounce Back Baby" was really organic because Michael’s lyrics speak so positively to rising up from adversity, like we have all had to do in recent years."

You can stream the single from your favorite service here and can check out all of the artists on Wicked Cool Records here.

In 2014 Michael Des Barres was asked by Steven Van Zandt to bring his encyclopedic knowledge of rock and soul music to Little Steven’s Underground Garage, SiriusXM, Channel 21 where he can be found DJing every weekday from 5:00am-8:00am P/T, and 9:00pm-12:00am P/T. Playing classic rock and soul music from The Rolling Stones to The Ramones and The Shangri La's to The Temptations. On Sirius XM Michael is heard by more than six million listeners a day, people are drawn to his show for the outstanding music, as well as Michael's positivity, humor and his inimitable rock and roll intellect and experience. First hand rock and roll history from someone who was there.




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Michael is now signed to Steven Van Zandt’s label Wicked Cool Records. 2018 saw the release of two singles Living in the USA, which came in second in Little Steven’s Underground Garage Coolest Song In The World contest, as well as a cover of Bob Dylan’s Gotta Serve Somebody. Michael also formed a new band, Michael Des Barres and The Mistakes and released a double A side single on Wicked Cool Records in 2019, Crackle and Hiss, with B/W Stop! In The Name of Love. Michael continues to record on Wicked Cool Records and recently released a cover of The Sex Pistols “Anarchy In The UK”, produced and arranged by Steven Van Zandt.  


EVENT PREVIEWS

(UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG), in partnership with the Union Arts Center, will present Katerina McCrimmon's acclaimed solo concert, Naked, which has played to sold-out audiences across the country, including at Joe's Pub and Lincoln Center. Directed by Henry Gainza, it will come to the DMK Black Box Theater at the Union Arts Center for one performance only, on Fri.day, June 26, 2026 at 7:00pm.
MPAC presents Straight No Chaser on June 26th

MPAC presents Straight No Chaser on June 26th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- A cappella favorite Straight No Chaser brings its summer-themed Beach Bash to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 8:00pm. Tickets range from $57-$114 (All fees included).
Asbury Lanes presents Matthew Curry and Erik Mason Band on June 26th

Asbury Lanes presents Matthew Curry and Erik Mason Band on June 26th

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Acclaimed singer-songwriter Matthew Curry sets off on his 2026 Spring/Summer "One For The Ride" Tour (named for his new Ruf Records album release) with a performance at Asbury Lanes on Friday, June 26, 2026. Erik Mason Band will open the night. Showtime is 8:00pm. 

Starland Ballroom presents The Cab

(SAYREVILLE, NJ) -- Starland Ballroom presents The Cab on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 7:30pm.  Paradise Fears and CARR will open the night.
The The Band Band presents The Last Walz Celebration 50th Anniversary 2026 Tour at The Newton Theatre

The The Band Band presents The Last Walz Celebration 50th Anniversary 2026 Tour at The Newton Theatre

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The The Band Band presents The Last Walz Celebration 50th Anniversary 2026 Tour at The Newton Theatre on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm; showtime is 8:00pm.
Brian Ostering presents The Elvis Spectacular at Middletown Arts Center on June 27th

Brian Ostering presents The Elvis Spectacular at Middletown Arts Center on June 27th

(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Jersey Shore musician Brian Ostering from The Wag is stepping out of his comfort zone with The Elvis Spectacular - "The Early Years" Concert on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the Middletown Arts Center. This is the first time he has performed an Elvis show and it's a tribute to his father who helped pass down his passion for Elvis to Brian. I reached out to Brian to learn more about the show.
Asbury Underground returns June 27th as part of North to Shore Festival

Asbury Underground returns June 27th as part of North to Shore Festival

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Underground returns on June 27, 2026 as part of the North to Shore Festival and there's a terrific lineup of artists again. Performances take place at venues throughout Asbury Park.
Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena presents James Taylor and His All-Star Band on Saturday

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena presents James Taylor and His All-Star Band on Saturday

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena presents James Taylor and His All-Star Band on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 7:30pm. This intimate concert promises an evening of soulful vocals, masterful guitar, and a legendary lineup of musicians bringing each song to life.
Gateway Playhouse to produce "Concert For A Cure" Fundraiser on June 28th

Gateway Playhouse to produce "Concert For A Cure" Fundraiser on June 28th

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse is producing Concert for a Cure, a three-part show highlighting three different musical acts on June 28, 2026, as a special fundraising event for three different cancer organizations: the American Cancer Society (ACS), Gilda's Club of Linwood, and Wigs & Wishes by Martino Cartier of Sewell. The event will feature three original musical acts: Tide ll Moon, a Philadelphia- based indie rock band formed by Drexel University film students; Steven Lemon, a South Jersey indie pop/rock/folk artist with a songwriting career that spans two decades; and Rachel Burghen, a dynamic South Jersey crossover artist known for her soaring pop sound, accompanied by Brian Conover on piano.
Brandon Tomasello to open Ocean City Pops Season with One-Man Rat Pack Spectacular on June 28th

Brandon Tomasello to open Ocean City Pops Season with One-Man Rat Pack Spectacular on June 28th

(OCEAN CITY, NJ) -- Acclaimed vocalist and entertainer Brandon Tomasello will open the 2026 Ocean City Pops season with his highly anticipated "One-Man Rat Pack" concert on Sunday, June 28, at the historic Ocean City Music Pier. The Rat Pack will come to life musically on stage as local favorite Tomasello presents the timeless and unmistakable sounds of this remarkable musical era. Showtime is 7:30pm.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Mysterious Ways -The U2 Experience

Friday, June 26, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


Straight No Chaser Beach Bash

Friday, June 26, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Katerina McCrimmon: Naked

Friday, June 26, 2026 @ 7:00pm
DMK Black Box Theatre at Union Arts Center
1980 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ


Three American Troubadours: Celebrating Taylor, Simon & King

Saturday, June 27, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


The Elvis Spectacular

Saturday, June 27, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ



 

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