Highway 9 is a band from New Jersey that showed lightning sometimes can hit twice. The band was comprised of the guys in Mr Reality who put out a wonderful acoustic record in 1992. They returned with a more country rock sound a decade later. Both bands had national record deals - something that still seems amazing to me.
This is one of my favorite albums to put on and listen straight through. I loved their earlier band and loved what they became. This record is the product of artists who grew up loving the music of artists like Bruce Springsteen and The Eagles. The band included Gordon Brown, Peter Scherer, Rob Tanico, Dave Halpern, and Kevin Ansell. Sadly, this would be their only release.
For me, this album holds a special point in time. I still remember interviewing Gordon and Peter at the Stone Pony for my first book. In many ways, albums like this one spurred me to being a music writer.
Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Rhonette Smith, Nick Scafuto, Evil Nature, Rich Lancia, Radar & Satellite, and Todd Bailey. Plus a look back at "We Go High" by Boots.
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Get ready for an electrifying night of classic rock as the PettyBreakers, "The World's Greatest Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers!" (AXS-tv), return to the Strand Theater in Lakewood, NJ on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 8:00pm.
The Princeton Festival was first founded in 2004, beginning its inaugural season in 2005 with four performances of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd in the Kirby Theatre at the Lawrenceville School and a performance by the Concordia Chamber Players. It has since grown to a nearly month-long event featuring opera, musical theater, baroque and chamber music, and a constantly evolving selection of other genres, including dance, world music, orchestral pops, and choral concerts.
