By Bob Makin
originally published: 11/21/2025
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Hope,” an anthemic single that fights hate released by REDBIRD Flying Solo, aka Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Danielle Marrone. ARTWORK BY CHRISSY BRAUN MARRONE
With her latest single, REDBIRD Flying Solo, aka Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Danielle Marrone, has leveraged hope against hate.
Following her impressive April-released debut album, “Breaking Through,” Danielle’s “Hope” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Hope” can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Nov. 21 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin, Mixcloud and RadioJersey.net.
“I am a firm believer in music as the universal language,” Danielle said. “I make a point to say it at every show. It bridges all gaps between race, religion, sex color or creed. It knows no boundaries, doesn’t care if you are rich, poor, red or blue. It’s the one thing everyone can do together and be one. This song was born out of that concept. It fed a need in my mind to block out some of the hatred that has tainted the world.
“At the end of the day, we all want the same thing,” she continued, “a peaceful, happy and healthy life for our families. I think most people are good and kind but just might need a reminder that we are one race —human.”
Like much of “Breaking Through,” “Hope” was recorded at FDR Studios in Chesterfield and features owner Mick Chorba of The Successful Failures on electric guitar, keys and bass, his band mate Rob Martin on drums and percussion, plus the great Sourland Mountains musician Greg McGarvey on slide guitar.
As president of the Pinelands Cultural Society, Danielle often works with all three roots rockers at the historic Albert Hall in Waretown. Danielle frequently performs there solo and with the duo, REDBIRD & RAVEN, who is her wife, Chrissy Braun Marrone. Chrissy also created the artwork for the “Hope” single.
“I’ve probably written another half an album’s worth already,” Danielle said. “I’m on the fence to release them as singles or a second album. Depends how they fit together.”
You can fit together with REDBIRD by seeing her live Nov. 21 at Blue Moon Cafe, South Amboy; Nov. 25, Caffrey’s, Forked River; Nov. 26, Toms River Brewing; Dec. 4, Tiny Stage Songwriter Circle, Sensorium Emporium, Red Bank, with Cranston Dean, Ryan Gregg and CJ2.0; Dec. 5, Skinny Flowers Brewing, Oceanport; Dec. 12, Portside Bar & Liquors, Port Monmouth; Dec. 13, Singing with Santa, Albert Hall; Dec. 19, Thirsty Piney, Lanoka Harbor; Dec. 20, Needle Creek Brewery, Pennington, with Greg McGarvey; Dec. 27, Garden State Distillery, Toms River; Dec. 28, White Horse Winery, Hammonton; Dec. 30, Caffery’s with Josh Werner; Jan. 10, 2026 Blood Drive for Barnegat Pride, Barnegat Township Municipal Building, and the weekend of March 27, Cape May Singer Songwriter Showcase. She’ll also play Toms River and Barnegat Pride events.
You can listen to “Hope” on Spotify and Apple Music.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram 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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