Makin Waves Song of the Week: "On the Way There" by Redbird

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.

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“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:

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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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