CAROL BARBIERI

Last week my guest on ROCK ON RADIO was CAROL BARBIERI of Atlantic Highlands NJ. Please check out an article that I wrote about her, her music, her tireless advocacy for adoption rights, and her freelance writing career at http://www.chorusandverse.com/

This Sunday 6/6, my guest on ROCK ON RADIO will be the MIDNITE SAGES.

Turn on Tune in and ROCK ON!

Never too old to Rock 'n' Roll

"Yo, you can't hang dude! You need to be in a wedding band." This was the quote of one of my co-workers circa. 1997. Well, here it is thirteen years later; and now I'm even older, yet still managing to "hang."

I'm not sure which I relish more, the fact that I've proven him wrong, or that I'm still able to play with the same drive and desire that I had 30+ years ago. Fortunately for me, since the inception of ROCK ON RADIO, I've come in contact with many incredibly talented people. Meeting and networking at open mics. and showcase events has afforded me the opportunity to reconnect with my one true form of enjoyment....music. I've begun playing my drums in earnest once again; doing kit work in the recording studio, percussion for various artists, and I somehow have even managed to get myself back into an amazing band situation.

I can honestly say that I'm enjoying being a musician again. I look forward to the late nights, the atmosphere, the smiles of the crowd as well as being part of a "community" of players who all support and feed off of one another.

I write this piece because I often think about the younger musiscians whom I come across; those who have young families, or jobs that curtail their efforts to play. I often look back on the days when my kids were small, remembering how, for a period of ten years my drums sat collecting dust as they were rarely used. I made the mistake of not following my dreams and desires. I remember thinking, "I'm a family man now, can't be hanging in bars 'til all hours and playing." These are ten years of my life that I'll never get back. Now, as we all know, hindsight is always 20/20. I don't regret putting my musical aspirations on hold; but looking back, I wouldn't do it again. I would attempt to find a balance, a happy medium of sorts.

So here I am many years later, and I've found myself. My kids are teenagers, they are totally self sufficient and independent. I even include them now in my gigs, my radio program and whenever I can do so. They are my fan base, my roadies, and my best/worst critics. It's funny how it all comes full circle.

So for those of you who think that you may be too old to Rock 'n' Roll....I say never! Just like Bob Seger sang "So come back baby, 'cuz Rock 'n' Roll never forgets." To my former co-worker I say..."Hey! Look at me, I'm still hanging!"

ROCK ON!

CAFE IMPROV in Princeton NJ

This past Saturday evening, I was lucky enough to have my good buddy Anthony "FAST ANT" Canulli ask me to accompany him on stage at CAFE IMPROV.

For those of you that are not familiar with this venue; you need to be...and soon. Every fourth Saturday of each month, John Irving and his fine crew put on a televised program from the Paul Robeson Center (located at 102 Witherspoon St.) that is unique and very entertaining.

Upon my arrival, I was interested to see a poetry reading taking place. I was a bit taken aback by the prop (an inflatable mallet), but I stuck it out and was glad that I wasn't the intended recipient of the message. That being said, the amazing JO WYMER was next on stage. Jo wowed the audience with a mixture of soulful blues and jazzy type numbers that drew great applause.

Now I'm going to confess, I was a bit contemplative; at one point I leaned over to Anthony and asked if the theater was going to be able to handle us? Up until this point, with the JO WYMER exception, things were kind of mellow. Please understand, this was not a poor quality show by any stretch...just very different. The quality of all of the performers was first rate, as I found out later in the evening. I was just curious as to whether or not we would "fit in."

"FAST ANT" hit the stage opening up with an original instrumental which "led" into his version of the Zeppelin classic "Black Dog." Next, he called me up on stage to do several more of his originals; all of which were straight forward rockers.

These tunes seemed to ignite the crowd as well as the emcee Tom Florek. "Putting the Improv in Cafe Improv," he took the stage and invited two sax players and three female vocalists up as he jumped behind the piano. I believe the exact quote was "Anthony play something"... so we ripped into a rockin' version of "Gloria." This got the crowd up and into things, and also prompted JO WYMER and JERRY PASSION to come on up as well. This got the party started and we rocked out next with Lou Reed's "Take A Walk On The Wild Side" and ended the night with Stevie Wonders "Superstition."

The sax players were amazingly talented, the vocals of JO WYMER and her three female accomplices were Top-Notch and over all it was a great night of ROCK 'N' ROLL.

Check out CAFE IMPROVE at http://www.cafeimprov.com/

Indie Night Acoustic Showcase at Katmandu

Where can you find some of the tri-state area's most amazing talent? Well, for starters, try Wednesday evenings beginning at 7pm est. on the banks of the Delaware River at Trenton's own KATMANDU.

LANCE REICHERT does a simply phenomenal job of assembling some of the finest musicians to ever grace a stage. The talent pool runs deep and Lance has the uncanny ability to catch the best of the best!

The "Indie Singer/Songwriter Acoustic Showcase" is also a networking event for musicians, promoters, PR people, and those who just want to hear incredible music and/or get to know some of their favorite Indie artists better.

Beginning June 9th and almost every Wednesday evening thereafter; the showcase will take place (weather permitting) outside on the spacious deck at "The Kat." The deck offers two stages, a great view of the river, and a fantastic atmosphere to listen to the music of up to fifteen different artists. There are drink specials, an open kitchen and plenty of available seating that all adds to the enjoyment of the showcase.

Fast becoming one of the area's premier music events; this showcase has a little something for everyone. There are acts that are young, old and somewhere inbetween; in short, there's a great chance that no matter who you are, or what your age bracket, you WILL find something that suits your listening pleasure. The weekly bill is filled with multiple acts, however there is only one "featured act" per show. Recent featured acts have been KEITH MONACCHIO and SHAUN RUYMEN to name just two. Local performers who attend are KELLY CARVIN, PETE NAGY, FAST ANT and also 15 keys to name a few. Some not so local include ASTRONAUT JONES, LAURA CRISCI, PATTY BLEE, NORMAN TAYLOR, JO WYMER, and DALE LAKATA. Once on stage, each performer gets a 3-4 song set, depending on how many artist are on the bill that evening. This short set list ensures that every performer is using the best of their best material.

I can honestly say that I have never been to one of these events and walked away disappointed at the quality of the entertainment. I can't say enough good things about the job that Lance does here week in and week out. This showcase requires much effort and energy and he handles it with TOP NOTCH ability! Please check out the website at www.qbdigital.com/indie/events.htm for a complete line-up of upcoming shows. There is also a you tube site at www.youtube/user/katmanduacoustic where you can see all of the recent artists performances. Look closely, that guy doing percussion on several of them may look familiar to you....

Check out the "INDIE NIGHT ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE" at Katmandu and ROCK ON!

Tuesday night Open Mic. @ THE CELLAR

My new friend Anthony Canulli has teamed up with the great people at the new HAMILTON MANOR (Rtes. 130/156 in Yardville NJ) to host an "Open Mic. Night" in THE CELLAR.

THE CELLAR, is located on the lower level of The HAMILTON MANOR restaurant; hence the name. However, this venue is anything but at the bottom. The room has a fantastic atmosphere. There's a large bar (which features numerous draught beers as well as $2 domestics on Tuesdays) and bistro style seating as well as sofas and chairs. Along with the drink, there is a generous menu to pick from as well. I'm told that the "Truffle Fries" are "Top Notch."

In combination with all of this good food and drink; Anthony Canulli has assembled a regular pool of talent that graces the stage every Tuesday evening beginning at 9pm for a weekly "Open Mic." Anthony (or "FAST ANT" as he goes by...) regularly kicks off the night with a short set of his original material as well as the occasional cover tune. A list of regulars at this event includes JOE KILDEA, SHAUN RUYMEN, RADIO FICTION members JOE CHIANESE and MATT SCHIFANO, as well as semi-regulars IN THE COMPANY OF WOLVES, MIKE MATISA and DINO COLOROCCO, and the amazing KELLY CARVIN. Last night the crowd was treated to an appearance by Hamilton's own incredibly talented singer/songwriter KEITH MONACCHIO; whose recent CD release "The Long Evening" has received rave reviews by critics from all across the state. Heck, even I can be found there doing percussion work for whomever wants my services as well.

Tuesdays don't have to be hum-drum any longer. Come on out to THE CELLAR @ THE HAMILTON MANOR; have a few drinks, some dinner or appetizers, and hear some of the best local talent that Hamilton has to offer and.....ROCK ON!

Welcome to ROCK ON RADIO

Hello everyone, and welcome to the official ROCK ON RADIO blogsite!

Several times a week, I will be posting current and upcoming events which pertain to my weekly radio program ROCK ON RADIO; which airs on Sunday evenings at 10pm est. on multiple outlets. Please feel free to visit www.myspace.com/rockonradio1460 for a complete list of outlets and show times.

On my program I feature solo artists, bands, and entertainers; most of which are of the "unsigned" Indie variety. If you should fall into this category, or happen to know anyone who does....please reach out to me. I love to hear from potential new or possible guests as well as the valued opinions of my listening audience.

Currently, ROCK ON RADIO is broadcast live on seven outlets and syndicated on seven more. I broadcast live from WIFI 1460AM radio in Florence NJ; but have affiliates from coast to coast as well as in the UK.

In closing, I'd like to thank Jeff Edelstein for all of his help in getting this blog of the ground as well as his support of my program.

Turn on....Tune in....and ROCK ON!