By Bob Makin
originally published: 01/03/2025
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Dave Vargo’s “Without a Fight,” which is featured in episode six of season six of Netflix’s hit show “Virgin River,” pictured. PHOTO COURTESY NETFLIX
They say what goes around comes around, and for Dave Vargo, that means generosity and compassion lead to success and exposure.
The Jersey Shore singer-songwriter recently placed another song on television. In episode six of the recently aired season six of Netflix’s hit series “Virgin River,” Dave’s song “Without a Fight” is featured during a scene in main character Jake’s bar. To celebrate, the Jackson Browne-like tune from Dave’s 2019 LP, “Spaces in Between,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Without a Fight” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Jan 3 on “Radio Jersey at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.
“The placement agency that I use reached out to me eight months or so ago and told me that the show was possibly interested in using my song,” Dave said. “They had me send them some additional mixes of the song, and then I didn't hear anything from them. When I read couple of weeks ago that the new season was being released, I assumed that they weren't using my song, So, when I received the call with the news, I was surprised and very excited.
“The idea of the song came while I was on vacation and watching the World Series in 2018,” Dave continued. “When I watch TV at home, I fast forward through the commercials. Being away, I got stuck watching all of the nasty, divisive political junk that I try to avoid. After a few nights of that, the lyrics for the song came out pretty quickly.”
The song features Makin Waves Award-wining Best Bassist Dan Haas, as well as drummer Tim Pannella and backing vocalist Audra Mariel.
No stranger to TV, Dave’s song “Don’t Think Twice” from his 2016 debut LP, “Burning Through,” was featured on Peacock’s “The Dan Patrick Show” a few times. He’s also been included in a cable reality show.
The Makin Waves 2022 Songwriter of the Year winner is working on his fourth album, which will be preceded by singles throughout the first quarter of the new year.
Enjoy Dave live during the Light of Day Winterfest kickoff show on Jan. 16 at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. He’ll also play guitar for Genevieve for the charitable fest’s Women of Song show on Jan. 18 at The R Bar.
For more about Dave, visit https://davevargomusic.com.
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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