“My folks got divorced when I was two so, I didn’t live with Mel Torme past the age of two. I was taken in by Hal March who married my mom and became my step-dad and all of Hal’s friends were the Borgfeld comedians. So, our dinner parties just about every weekend were Lucy and Milton Berle, Phil Silvers and Shecky Greene, Buddy Hackett and Red Buttons. So, I grew up around all of these comedians and it was great and a lot of laughs; these were the people who were our best friends. My original desire was to be a major league baseball player. I would listen to the Yankees as a kid in Westchester County and that was my first goal was to be a major league ball player; I played a lot of baseball. After hearing the games I’d listen to the radio, I would listen to the AM hits of the day and like a billion other kids when I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan I went, oh this, this is turning me on. This doesn’t sound like Jerry LeeLewis, this doesn’t sound like Elvis, this is a completely different thing and pop music became my influence. As much as I do a lot of jazz in my shows because there is obviously some influence from my dad because I do have his genes, I cut my teeth on The DoobieBrothers, Steely Dan and Todd Rundgren. Those are the people that I listened to; again, very melodic pop writers. I really kind of connected with my dad in the last 15 years of his life and we started having a more common ground musically and that’s how things kind of came about.”
So, other than being surrounded by comedic royalty, it seems that Steve March Torme grew up with the hopes and dreams of most children of his generation. These dreams and hopes that he keeps alive through memories and nostalgic looks back at the past have resulted in the release of a new Christmas song geared toward getting us to do the same and it is titled “I Remember Christmas Time.”
”I Remember Christmas Time,” I did an interview the other day and someone said; “Why did you wait until now to write a Christmas song? Your dad wrote that one 76 years ago.” This wasn’t a calculated move on my part, I said, basically I had written a song called “ADifferent Time” from my last album and when I do my concerts, that seems to be the one that resonates the most with the audiences and the one that people want to talk about afterward if they are buying a CD; “Is this the one that has the song about your kids on it?” One of the guys that I do these concerts with here in the mid-west; we were in the middle of a 10 concert run of a show called “For Kids From 1 to 92,” we’ve got 14 people on stage, it’s a big show. He came to me about a month and a half ago and said, “I’ve always loved that song “A Different Time” but I keep hearing a different title.” I said, OK but that song is already written and he said, “I keep hearing “I Remember Christmas Time,” you might want to think about changing it.” I said, well that song is already recorded, that’s not what it’s about. Then we started talking about it and I thought, maybe that’s not a bad idea. It is about the same thing, I changed a few words to it and made it more holiday oriented and that’s how this song came about. “I Remember Christmas Time” ends up being this rather sentimental look back; everybody can look back on Christmas when they were a kid and it’s a much different feeling when you’re an adult and that’s what it is basically about.”
Looking back sometimes is the only way to move forward and often times as we lose the innocence of youth and the spirit of St. Nicholas; we at times reflect and yearn for those bygone days and those classic tunes of the holiday season that take us back to our own memories. Memories which are like snowflakes, no two are alike and vary from person to person. Torme recognizes this and it is one of the reasons he has released this timely piece of work.
“I think that is one of the reasons that this song is resonating. Mariah Carey’s Christmas song is a fun, bouncy pop tune that has done extremely well but songs like “I’ll be home for Christmas” and “The Christmas Song” and hopefully this song I’ve written here will invoke almost a Norman Rockwell-ion feeling when you listen to it. It is nostalgic, when we were kids; when you’re eight years old, from December 1, all you’re doing is looking at the calendar; only 24 more days! You’re so excited about waking up that morning; can we get our presents now? When you become an adult, obviously that changes. You’re dreading going to the mall, it’s still a nice time of year and it’s nice to get together with family; especially the ones you still talk to (laughs) but when you’re a kid, you look out the window and it’s snowing and exciting and that’s really what I’m trying to evoke here. When I wrote the original tune, my kids were only like two and four years old and I remember going to a park with them and knowing they felt secure and safe and then it evolved into a Christmas song thinking about evergreens, twinkling lights and Christmas carols. As corny those images are, they do occur every single year and no matter how much we are in a world where everyone has their faces buried in their phones there are still young kids who are excited about Christmas and the idea of being with their families so, that’s really how this evolved.”
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“In another interview that I did recently, someone asked me specifically what my favorite Christmas ornament was,” he continued; “My kids are 17 and 15 and they just love when the tree comes out every year and we all put up ornaments together and they are always the same ornaments and every year they love looking at them because you don’t look at them for 11 months. They go away into a box and then 11 months later there is a nostalgic feeling; oh yeah, I remember this one or I remember when we got this one, ooh look how small we were at this time. So, I think, maybe at this time of the year or maybe at Thanksgiving really kind of evokes those kind of feelings of yeah, I like the fact that there is a permeance about this. If I had to pick a favorite ornament, when my wife and I first got together, our first Christmas as husband and wife we went and got an ornament that kind of looks like a Faberge egg and its got red and blue fake gems that represent our birthstones.”
With nostalgia playing such a big part and the timeless classics of the past already written; does Torme see anything like those compositions in today’s music?
“Again, this was not a calculated move on my part but being a musician and doing this for a living, doing concerts and someone who also writes; it’s not for me to sit here and criticize today’s music, that’s just stupid,” he said emphatically. “I do know that there is a huge change in what is being put out today as opposed to even 20 years ago let alone 40 years ago much less 60 years ago. When you start talking about the old songs you start sounding like your grandparents; when the Beatles came out, my grandfather was like, “To hell with the yeah, yeah, yeah and the long hair” and I get it but the truth is they wrote great songs. Irving Berlin could’ve written “Eleanor Rigby,” they ended up writing great tunes with great melodies. My dad wrote a great melody with “The Christmas Song” and what turns me on is melodies and a lot of today’s music is beat driven but it is what it is and it’s not for me to say it’s good, bad or indifferent. I wanted to find something that still had a melody so that 15 years from now when you hear it you can say, oh yeah I know that song, ba-da-da-da-da-da-da-ba-da-da-da-da; a melody. That’s what “Sleigh Ride” has, that’s what “Let It Snow” has, they have melodies.”
Torme also recognizes that there is a different tone in today’s music which in part is why he released “I Remember Christmas Time.”
“There are more people like Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon who are in their 70’s that are considered “Modern” songwriters compared to the Irving Berlins and Richard Rodgers who really were great imagery writers. There are still some people today that write great lyrics, I have been hosting a radio show for 10 years so, I do listen to a lot of music but I can’t listen to everything and as the world has unfortunately gotten a little nastier and a little more desperate; there are not a lot of flowing flowery images being written in music. There is a lot of angst, a lot of anxiety and depression and its too bad and Americana music has a lot of it. The longer we go on and the next generation comes up, we are hearing a lot of; hey, what’s the point? The planet is poisoned, you guys did this, your generation didn’t take care of the planet, people hate each other, politics is dividing us; what’s the point? That’s a horrible place to be in and I’m not being Pollyannish about this, I’m very cognizant of the fact that there are a lot of problems but geez, music is supposed to be an escape so, it’s nice to have something positive out there.”
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To my friends, readers and supporters with a special thank you to Gary Wien and New Jersey Stage Magazine; I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season!
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Allentown Borough 8 North Main Street Allentown Wed. 6 p.m. New Year Manifestation, Meditation and Vision Board. (Takes place at #12 North Main Street)Al's Airport Inn 636 Bear Tavern Road West Trenton (609) 883-5252 Mon. 5 p.m. Brian Elliot Tues. 7 p.m. The Vagabonds Wed. (4 p.m.) LGBTQ Happy Hour (7 p.m.) Jessica DiDonatoArts Council of Princeton 102 Witherspoon Street Princeton (609) 924-8777 Fri. 10 a.m. “Studio Time” at Princeton Makes Hosted by Adriana Groza (Takes place at Princeton Shopping Center 301 North Harrison Street) Bill's Olde Tavern 2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton (609) 586-0192 Thurs. 3 p.m. Ugly Sweater Happy Hour Holiday Party w/ Chris Barlow Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia Night Tues./Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ "Super" Dave Curtis Ages 21+Blend Bar & Bistro 911 Highway 33 Hamilton (609) 245-8887 Thurs. 7 p.m. Santa-Con / Ugly Sweater Party w/ DJ Anthony PasquaBowman's Tavern 1600 River Road New Hope, PA (215) 862-2972 Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Dave Dales Trio Fri. (5:30 p.m.) Bennett Lee (8 p.m.) Bob Egan Sun. (12 p.m.) Steve Guyger (6 p.m.) Lorenzo Wed. 6 p.m. Andy PrescottBroken Goblet Brewing 2500 State Road Bensalem, PA (267) 812-5653 Thurs. (7 p.m.) Mike Estabrook Happy Hour (8 p.m.) “Die Hard and Jolly” w/ Righteous JollyCandlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton (609) 695-9612 Thurs. 6 p.m. Thursday Night Blues Jam Hosted by The Mojo Gypsies. $5 (Includes hot buffet)City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor (609) 426-9400 Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich G. AveoCOARadio.com 125 South Main Street Hightstown (609) 241-7103 Fri. 7 p.m. "Danny Coleman's Got The Blues" Christmas Edition Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. “13th Annual Rock On Radio Christmas Spectacular” w/. various artistsCooper's Riverview 50 Riverview Plaza Trenton (609) 393-7300 Thurs. (7 p.m.) (9 p.m.) Club Night feat. Rotating DJs (inside event) Sun. 11 a.m. " Sunday Latin Jazz Brunch" w/ Victor Tarassov Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ Michael Hoffman Wed. (12 p.m.) "Wine Down Wednesdays" (7 p.m.) Blues Jam on the Deck / Disco Hustle Night (Inside) All Events Ages 21+Dadz Bar and Grill 744 Main Street Lumberton (609)267-4344 Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic NightHavana New Hope 105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA. (215) 862-9897 Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Open Blues Jam Hosted by The Slidewinder Blues Band Sun. 4 p.m. Tea Dance Party LGBTQ + Sunday Out Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Dwayne Wed. 7 p.m. Jumper DuoHopewell Theater 5 South Greenwood Avenue Hopewell (609) 466-1964 Sun. (2 p.m.) Holiday Film Fest: “Gremlins” $12.50 (4:30 p.m.) “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” $12.50 Wed. 7 p.m. Holiday Film Fest: “Elf” $12.50Hopewell Valley Vineyards 46 Yard Avenue Pennington (609) 737-4465 Sun. 1:30 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Hopewell Valley Vineyards Jazz BandHurricane Jacks Bar and Grill 7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA (267) 914-4517 Mon. 7 p.m. Motown Monday w/ DJ Code ReddIron Plow Vineyards 26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus (732) 306-9111 Sun. 2 p.m. SpoondriftIvy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton (609) 888-1435 Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke Sun. 6 p.m. Karaoke Latinos All shows 21+ John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa (215) 862-5981 Thurs. 9 p.m. Skunkmello Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic (Sign-ups start at 8 p.m.) Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational All shows 21+ Killarney's Publick House 1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton (609) 586-1166 Thurs. 7 p.m. Guns 4 Hire Sun. 10 a.m. Boxing Day BrunchLaurita Winery 85 Archertown Road New Egypt (609) 752-0200 Thurs. 5 p.m. Fire Pits and Wine Wed. 6 p.m. Girls Night Out Ages 21+Marie's Kozy Korner 111 Trenton Road Fairless Hills, PA (215) 943-3131 Fri. 7 p.m. “Twas The Night Before Christmas” w/ Bill Monach Sat. 2 p.m. Christmas Day Platter Special. $6.95McGuinn's Place 1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence (609) 392-0599 Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke Ages 21+ McStews Irish Sports Pub 5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA (215) 949-9570 Tues. 7:30 p.m. Trivia Night Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula and SamNaked Brewing Company 212 Mill Street Bristol, PA (267) 544-7129 Thurs. 12 p.m. Festivus!New Hope Winery 6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA (215) 794-2331 Wed. 8 p.m. Dar Williams w/ Crys Matthews. $45Newtown Brewing Company 103 Penns Trail Newtown, PA (215) 944-8609 Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Trivia NightNottingham Tavern 9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square (609) 587-6623 Thurs. 9:30 pm. Karaoke w/ Super Dave CurtisOldestone Restaurant 15 South Main Street New Hope, PA (215) 862-7044 Thurs. (6 p.m.) Tour De Force (Deco Bar) (7 p.m.) Scott McAllister (Jazz Lounge) Fri. 4 p.m. Aaron Quarterman (Deco Bar)Old Town Pub 135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown (609) 291-9232 Thurs. 7 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia Palmer Square 40 Nassau Street Princeton Thurs. (4 p.m.) "Skating On The Square" $10/$12 (Includes skate rental) Fri. (4 p.m.) "Skating On The Square" $10/$12 (Includes skate rental) / Spiced Punch Caroling (4:30 p.m.) Christmas Eve Caroling Sun 12 p.m./4 p.m. "Skating On the Square" $10/$12 (Includes skate rental)Patriots Crossing 1339 River Road Titusville (609) 737-2780 Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo" Second Sin Brewing Company 1500 Grundy Lane Bristol, PA (267) 812-5251 Thurs. 4 p.m. Holiday TriviaTavern On The Lake 101 Main Street Hightstown (609) 426-9345 Wed. 9 p.m. KaraokeTemperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA (215) 944-8050 Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia w/ Righteous Jolly Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Cara CartneyThe Buck Hotel 1200 Buck Road Feasterville, PA (215) 396-2002 Thurs. 7 p.m. Kevin Kirk Tues. 6 p.m. Danny LynchThe Cool Cricket 216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro (609) 291-9110 Thurs. 8 p.m. DJ Ran D Fri. 8 p.m. KaraokeThe Dubliner 34 North Main Street New Hope, PA (215) 693-1816 Sun. 3 p.m. "Traditional Irish Session"The Five Four Bar & Grill 8919 New Falls Road Levittown, PA (215) 547-5525 Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula and SamThe Irish Horne Bar & Restaurant 882 2nd Street Pike Richboro, PA (215) 942-4000 Thurs. 7 p.m. Keep The Change Band’s Christmas JamThe Ivy Inn 248 Nassau Street Princeton (609) 921-8555 Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv Wed. 10 p.m. Total Request w/ DJ Rockin' RonThe Morrisville Tavern 376 West Trenton Avenue Morrisville, PA (215) 295-5310 Mon. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Tim Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia NightThe Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge (609) 208-0050 Thurs. “Christmas Light Walk-thru” (Daily thru January 1, 2022)Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton (609) 392-2554 Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions"Trenton Social 449 South Broad Street Trenton (609) 989-7777 Thurs. 5 p.m. "Happy Hour Throwback Thursday" Fri. 6 p.m. Constellation: the Tuesday Alignment Exhibit Mon. 6 p.m. "Monday Night Karaoke" Hosted by Sweets Tues. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Tobias & Lea (Sign-ups at 7:30 p.m.)Water's Edge Gastropub and Lounge 1067 Totem Road Bensalem, PA (267) 332-2095 Sat. 12 p.m.Drag BrunchWorking Dog Winery 610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown (609) 371-6000 Sun. 12 p.m. Justin Love
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled “Rock On Radio” airing Sunday evenings at 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
It's a gorgeous May 8, 2024 afternoon at Holmdel, NJ's PNC Bank Arts Center as "Old Blue Eyes" fans ready themselves for Rick Michel's Sinatra Forever tribute show. Sinatra Forever is the first in a series of free afternoon concerts at the PNC Bank Arts Center for New Jersey residents aged 55 and over. All shows are presented by the Garden State Arts Foundation under the direction of VP Ron Gravino, who is ably assisted by Cookie Santiago and Bob O’Brien.
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Ember Choral Arts presents "On the Heart of Being, Amidst Machines" on Sunday, May 19th, 2024 at The Unitarian Universalist Congregation (67 Church Street) in Montclair. The concert will also be live-streamed. This promises to be a moving exploration of love in the modern world, featuring a dynamic mix of stylistically eclectic choral music. Showtime is 5:00pm.
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