New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Man of Manzanita" by Nefesh Mountain

By Bob Makin

originally published: 01/24/2025

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Man of Manzanita” from Nefesh Mountain’s forthcoming double LP, “Beacons.” PHOTO COURTESY OF NEFESH MOUNTAIN

Since late summer, Montclair-based progressive Americana band Nefesh Mountain have dropped five singles from their Jan. 31-bound double LP, “Beacons.”

The latest, “Man of Manzanita,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Man of Manzanita” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Jan 24 on “Radio Jersey at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.

“Man of Manzanita” is a loving tribute to massively influential bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice written by Eric Lindberg, half of the husband-and-wife team that leads Nefesh Mountain.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



Several of Tony’s fellow bluegrass great pals play not only on the track, but the entire bluegrass-flavored acoustic second disc of “Beacons.” They include mandolinist Sam Bush, dobroist Jerry Douglas, violinist Stuart Duncan and bassist Mark Schatz. Eric plays guitar and he and wife Doni Zasloff sing.

“Beacons” Disc One is more of an Americana album featuring Nefesh Mountain’s electric band, which includes violinist Bobby Hawk, pianist-organist Danny Fox, bassist Andrew Ryan and drummer David Berger. That disc’s singles include “Race to Run,” the album’s second single released in late September.

For the most part, “Beacons” was recorded at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville by Skyler Chuckry and Joanna Finley. Eric and Doni produced with Rafael Roy and Kelin Verrette.  The album was mixed by Brandon Bell and mastered by Pete Lyman.

The “Beacons” tour will kick off Feb. 19 at Folk Alliance International in Montreal and will continue throughout California, the Southeast, the Southwest, and the Northwest. The closest the first leg comes to Jersey is Elkton Music Hall in Maryland on April 24, but more dates will be announced soon.

For more, visit https://www.nefeshmountain.com.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



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.


EVENT PREVIEWS

(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Kean Stage is thrilled to announce that Joshua Henry, three-time Tony nominee and star of Lincoln Center Theater's Ragtime, will open their 2026-2027 season with two performances of his show Get Up, Stand Up! on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm at Enlow Recital Hall (215 North Avenue) in Hillside.

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

NJPAC presents Salsa icon Tito Nieves on September 26th

(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.
New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2026 Includes a Concert Featuring Two Bands of Rutgers Students

New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2026 Includes a Concert Featuring Two Bands of Rutgers Students

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Hanging Coats and Lawns, part of New Brunswick's basement music scene, take the stage for an audio-visual performance on October 2 , 2026 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. A Rutgers student is injecting some sonic youth from the New Brunswick music scene into this year's New Jersey Fall Film Festival.
CarteretPAC presents W.A.S.P. with "1984 to Headless" Tour

CarteretPAC presents W.A.S.P. with "1984 to Headless" Tour

(CARTERET, NJ) -- W.A.S.P. brings its "1984 To Headless" Fall North American Tour to the Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band will pay tribute to their 1st Four Albums... Live! The lineup includes Special Guest KK's Priest.
Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on October 11th

Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on October 11th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. Maddock's status as a fixture on the Folk and Americana scene is confirmed with every listen of any song in his prodigious catalog. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour to Play Shows in NY/NJ/PA

Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour to Play Shows in NY/NJ/PA

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Grammy® nominated, platinum-selling artist, Five For Fighting (aka John Ondrasik) will bring his ever popular Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour back out on the road this September and October. There are several shows coming to the local area including two in New Jersey: Sunday, September 20 at The Newton Theatre and Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at The Vogel in Red Bank.
Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30th

Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30, 2026 at 8:00pm (doors at 7:00pm). The concert will take place at the First Congregational Church (40 South Fullerton Avenue) in Montclair.
 

FEATURED EVENTS



Moondance - Van Morrison Tribute

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


The Australian Pink Floyd Show

Saturday, September 12, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


The Nighthawks

Saturday, September 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone

Sunday, September 13, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Lou Antonucci - "You, Me, & Harry" Celebrating The Music of Harry Chapin​

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ