Jersey City-based Detroit-raised blues-rocker Eliza Neals premieres the video for “Never Stray” from her latest LP, “Black Crow Moan,” with Makin Waves. PHOTO BY HJ
Eliza Nealsis a Detroit-raised opera singer turned jam-friendly blues-rocker who currently is the artist in residence in her dual base of Jersey City. A protege of Motown legend Barrett Strong, Eliza recruited fellow Detroit rocker Derek St. Holmes, guitarist of the Motor City Madman Ted Nugent, to play on the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Never Stray,” from her latest from LP, “Black Crow Moan.” The video for the raging love song catches Eliza in her beloved CJ7 Jeep remembering loss as she visits 9/11 monuments and iconic New Jersey sites in the home state she adopted in 2010. Here is the media premiere of the clip:
Having won more than an armful of awards from the Detroit music scene, Eliza boasts a catalog on her own E-H Records that immediately impressed Derek enough to record with her the next day. Here’s a look at Derek laying down his tracks:
Derek also appears on the “Black Crow Moan” track “Ball and Chain,” while national blues-rocker Joe Louis Walker guests on three tunes, including the title track, which is the fourth most requested song on “B.B. King’s Bluesville” at Sirius XM.
While awaiting rescheduled world tour dates with her band, the Narcotics, Eliza plans to release another video, as well as a single and an EP. Her video release coincides with her appearance on Israeli blues guitarist Andy Watts’ LP, “Supergroove,” Vizztone Label.
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Here are more videos featuring Liza and her band:
Bob Makin is a reporter for MyCentralJersey.comand the former managing editor of The Aquarian Weekly, which launched this column in 1988. Contact him via email and like Makin Waves on Facebook.
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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Here is a look at shows taking place from February 10-16, 2026 along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. At nearly 90 years old, Buddy Guy remains a singular force in American music. Fresh off earning his ninth Grammy® Award in 2026 for Best Traditional Blues Album (Ain't Done with the Blues), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the last living architects of electric blues will celebrate a historic milestone with the Buddy Guy 90 Tour, featuring select headline performances across North America in 2026.
Alex Dawson is full-time faculty at Rutgers University, where he teaches creative writing with a focus on folklore, fantasy, and horror; hosts Inside the Writers House, a video chat with acclaimed authors from all over the world; and leads fable-fueled Study Abroad programs to some of the planet's most mythical places.
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