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Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Apple Tree Days" by Patrick Fitzsimmons

By Bob Makin

originally published: 04/05/2024

From Good Homes’ Patrick Fitzsimmons is the Makin Waves Song of the Week with the title track of his latest solo album, "Apple Tree Days.” PHOTO BY LEAH MARIE KIRK

One of my all-time favorite New Jersey bands is From Good Homes, so it always does my heart ‘n’ soul really good when one of them pops up with a new project.

The latest is co-founding FGH drummer Patrick Fitzsimmons’ fantastic new solo album, "Apple Tree Days,” the title track of which is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Apple Tree Days” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on April 5 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.

“Apple Tree Days” is Patrick’s eighth solo album since 2001, but his first since 2018’s “Bird Tree.” It marks one of his best collections as singer-songwriter-guitarist and very much an homage to his bucolic youth in pastoral Sussex County.




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The video for the title track was produced by Victor Guadagno, who made the great 2022 FGH documentary, “Charlie Loves Our Band.” The clip features some mighty fine pickin’ by fellow Sparta-raised singer-songwriter-guitarist Geoff Doubleday.

Geoff will play lead guitar in an all-star band Patrick has assembled to back him at his album release party on April 6 at at Roy's Hall in Blairstown. Joining them will be Steve Decker on drums, Loni Bach on cello, Carol Sharar on violin, Paul Kuzik on bass, and Damian Calcagne on keyboards. Sharing the bill will besinger-songwriters Bobby Syvarth, Denny Tilton, Tom Askin and co-founding FGH band mate Brady Rymer.

For more about the show, album and Patrick, visit https://patrickfitzsimmons.net.

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

(CARTERET, NJ) -- The Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. The legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock band began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the "Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack".

Outpost in the Burbs Presents Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips in Benefit Concert for Toni's Kitchen on November 21st

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs will present an extraordinary evening of music featuring singer-songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. The special concert will serve as a fundraiser in support of Toni's Kitchen, the Montclair based nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity and related challenges in Essex County and beyond. Showtime is 8:00pm.
 

FEATURED EVENTS



Choir! Choir! Choir! Hallelujah”: An EPIC Anthems Sing-Along!

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Outpost In The Burbs
40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ


Always Jovi with special guest, Shot of Poison

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ


Margarita Rovenskaya, piano

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Grunin Center - Bösendorfer Recital Room
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 8:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ


The Chris Pinnella Big Band Project

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


Shemekia Copeland with special guest JB Barnes Blues Band

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


 

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