By Bob Makin
originally published: 03/14/2025
The Makin Waves Song of the Week, “On the Way There,” is the first single from Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Redbird’s forthcoming debut album,“Breaking Through,” the cover of which is pictured. PHOTO BY CHRISSY MARRONE
The first single from Jersey Shore roots-rock singer-songwriter Redbird’s forthcoming debut album is a tribute to a dearly departed band mate.
“On the Way There” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “On the Way There” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on March 14 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.
“This is by far the most emotional track on the entire album,” said Redbird, aka Danielle Marrone. “I wrote this song for one of my best friends, mentor and former band mates Steve Addeo, who we lost to suicide in 2002. For many years I suffered with guilt, always asking questions that had no answers. Pouring my grief into this song is one of the ways I dealt with it.
“I borrowed the title from one of Steve's lyrics,” she continued. “I keep it close and wear it on my skin in his handwriting. It is a constant reminder that there is always another way.”
Redbird played Steve’s Strat for the track, as well as acoustic guitar.
She was joined by Mick Chorba and Rob Martin of The Successful Failures respectively on bass and drums, while Greg McGarvey played electric and slide guitar. “Amazing” is how she described her studio band.
“Playing Steve's old Strat on this track was kind of a full circle way of remembrance,” she said. “Somehow Greg created this soul-wrenching layer to the song and poured the pure raw emotion I could only think of into notes. The only direction I gave him was ‘make it dirty.’”
This week, Redbird released her second single, “Undertow,” which she wrote with beloved singer-songwriter-guitarist Dave Vargo. The tune is a love letter to her home away from home, Asbury Park, where she recently played at Georgie’s Bar and Transparent Clinch Gallery.
Redbird will celebrate the release of “Breaking Through” on April 12 at Garden State Distillery. She also will play March 15 at Joe Pop’s Shore Bar, Ship Bottom; March 20, Al’s Airport Inn, Ewing; March 22, Portside Bar & Liquors, Port Monmouth; Match 26, The Bees Knees, Cape May; March 29, Blue Moon, South Amboy, with Greg McGarvey, and March 30, The Starving Artist, Stockton.
Redbird also often plays as a duo with Raven, aka Chrissy Marrone, Danielle’s wife. They go by the name Redbird & Raven. Chrissy also shot the photos for “Breaking Through” and the “Undertow” single.
For more about Redbird, visit redbirdflyingsolo.com.
When Danielle isn’t busy as Redbird, she serves on the board of the Pinelands Cultural Society, the nonprofit that runs Waretown’s fabled Albert Music Hall, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year with Danielle as president. This year, PCS is celebrating its 50th with a big anniversary show on April 26 at Albert Music Hall.
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.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Good Damage to perform at House of Independents on July 15th
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey alt rock/pop-punk band Good Damage will return to the House of Independents on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 supporting American Vanity and Faded 2 Gray. This will be the band's third time playing the venue. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 8:00pm.
WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach series presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday
(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 7:00pm. Cory Blair will open the night. The free outdoor concert takes place at the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach.
Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul to Headline Concert at ParkStage on July 17th
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul will headline a concert at ParkStage on Friday, July 17, 2026 that fans of Jersey music will love. The lineup includes Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Jake Clemons Band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Gary U.S. Bonds, and The Weeklings. Showtime is 4:00pm.
Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- The Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. The concert is presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners.
LoMotion Live Presents America at 250: A Celebration in Song to Benefit Elks Army of Hope
(PARSIPPANY, NJ) -- LoMotion Live invites the community to an inspiring evening of music, storytelling, and patriotism with America at 250: A Celebration in Song, a special benefit cabaret on Friday, July 17, 2026 at the Parsippany Arts Center. Showtime is 7:30pm. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Elks Army of Hope, a charitable program dedicated to providing assistance to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families during times of need.
Grounds For Sculpture and Third Way Cultural Alliance to Present an Intimate Evening of Art and Music on July 18th
(HAMILTON, NJ) -- Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) and Third Way Cultural Alliance announce a special evening celebrating the power of creative freedom through music, art and conversation. "Creative Freedom: A Salon Experience featuring Marshall Allen, Salvador Jiménez-Flores and Jamaaladeen Tacuma," will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
DePue Brothers Band to Bring "Grassical" Music to Sewell
(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes the DePue Brothers Band on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3:00pm. In a departure from the series' customary chamber music fare, the DePue Brothers Band has long coined their music with the term "grassical," the combination of bluegrass with jazz, blues, rock, folk, and classical.
Albert Music Hall's "Back to Our Roots" Benefit on Sunday to Support Preservation of Pinelands Music History
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will present Back to Our Roots, a special fundraising concert on Sunday, July 19, 2026, inviting music lovers to enjoy an afternoon of live performances while helping preserve an important piece of New Jersey's musical heritage.
New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan's Marie Rader Series Debut with "Life & Liberty" on July 22nd
(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- The Marie Rader Series will launch its 2026-27 season, entitled "Life & Liberty," with the New Jersey Symphony's Rowan University debut. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players featuring Rowan University Strings Faculty & Alumni will perform at Pfleeger Concert Hall. Showtime is 7:00pm.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
