Roots Review 8

Sorry for the late review folks, I have been over the top busy lately working on multiple projects, but once again our American Roots open mic was a huge success - this time thanks to John Powers & the Arturos! What a great young band. John Powers (a fabulous guitarist and vocalist) and the Arturos deliver a passionate, roots-based modern thing and make you believe it.

There were so many players in the house again that I know one or two got away from me without getting a chance to play. Again I am sorry.

Help!! Volunteers please.
nastyned@att.net

American Roots 8 went late, top heavy with legendary local players. Tommy Fuller, Johnny Charles, Mike Caruso all on stage together - awesome, with John Powers and Ed Pampani playing drums. This is why I say there is no other show like ours anywhere.

Special thanks to Walter Foot, Snakeman Runyan, Gene Downin, Steve, Dorean, Chris O'Sullivan & Chet Smith, Len De Piano, Jim Somma, JR Bradfield, Arne Englund, Big Boy Kenny Nerbak, Rotten Robert, Bones Sanders and all who came to dig it.

Special thanks again go to The Rail ownership, management and staff, Sarah, Amanda, Jessica, Byron, and especially Nick for the American Roots $20.00 dinner and drink cerificates we raffled off and all the other cool stuff, too. And for coming up with the BB King Steak dinner special - a 20 oz. porterhouse with baby field green salad and skewered red potatoes seasoned just right- and it's only available on Roots night. Make sure you come early and get a great seat.

Very special thanks to Eddie Ray of Computown Technologies in South Bound Brook for his tireless efforts and Ed Pampani and Win.

Keep your spirit people and please continue to help keep American Roots music alive for the next generations. Thank you.

See you next Thursday at American Roots 9 when our guest host band will be - I'm pleased to say - John Powers and the Arturos. If you missed it last week - don't miss it this time - these guys are great - and great guys too.

And remember, you never know who you're going to meet down at the station. Word has it there might be two, additional very notable participants at American Roots 9.

Keeping it real,

Ned

Roots Review 7

American Roots 7 was a rousing success thanks again to our good friends and guest hosts, Kate Weber and the Bassboards Blues Band - and all of the special musicians who showed up to celebrate music.

Again we had to deal with a Main St. detour, but you all made it - thank you for your effort. Story has it, the night before, a transformer blew somewhere blacking out the Rail sending flames shooting from the manhole covers on Main Street out front. But, I'll say this, the music on Thursday night was hotter than any flames I've ever seen.

A highlight of the night was when 15 year old Steve Shallis got on stage with his guitar and stood shoulder to shoulder with legendary guitarist Johnny Charles and Snakeman Runyan. He played his young ass off as his proud father watched from the audience. The kid has feel and he is in touch with his musical roots.

This is what the American Roots movement is all about!

Thanks to the players that night including Shallis, Charles and Runyan, Lori V, Gene Downin, Mike Caruso, Michael Krizan, Justin, Bernie Brauswetter, Jr Bradfield with another stand out perfromance, Walter Foot, Ed Pampani, Bill Bauer, Cheesecake Bill, Bones Sandford, Walter Foot, Mike Marrucci and again, if I have not mentioned you here, I am sorry. Send me an email.

Special thanks again go to The Rail ownership, management and staff, Sarah, Amanda, Jessica, Byron, and especially Nick. Thanks to Eddie Ray of Computown Technologies in South Bound Brook for his tireless efforts, Ed Pampani, Win and Anhueser Busch for the great soccer tickets we were able to give away along with the autographed harmonicas.

A note of importance: My American Roots TV proposal has been approved and we can start production soon thanks to the generous sponsorship of Elliot Newcomb Design. Without Elliot Newcomb Design's enthusiastic support of our American Roots preservation efforts, we would not have been able to move forward as quickly as we're about to.

Keep your faith, keep your spirit and please continue to help keep American Roots music alive for the next generations. Thank you.

See you next Thursday at American Roots 8 when our guest host band will be the young and exciting John Powers and the Arturos. You'll not want to miss them. And remember, you never know who you're going to meet down at the station.

Keeping it real,
Ned

Roots Review 6

American Roots 6 was an evening that will not soon be forgotten.

One where we said farewell to our roots brother Duane Chez, and a night of incredible, memorable performances by some of the most talented musicians and singers anywhere - and I mean anywhere!

There were so many players some didn't play. I'm very sorry. Please comeback, see me and we'll get 'er done!

In general, emailing ahead might help as each week we get bigger and bigger and it's... well, it's a lot of fun. nastyned@att.net

Volunteers welcome...

If you're interested in getting involved in the American Roots movement with me - in any capcity come on down to the station any Thursday night and raise your hand. Email inquiries are welcome, too. Many thanks.

Two stand out performances last night belong to Tweed Schade and Cochise who tore the place up with their rootsy original "Ridin' that Raritan Line" and the Woody Guthrie classic "This land is my land" - wow! Keep an eye on the video gallery at www.nastyned.com for some of that.

Another stand out performance was from Lee Fink and Michael Krizan who shot mojo guitar lickin' back and forth til our heads nearly popped.

Special thanks to all the other special performers as well, including first and foremost Mr. Duane Chez; Mike Caruso, Copa, Plainfield Slim, Johnny Charles, Justin, Tyler Penn, Ed Pampani, oh - and least I not forget John Powers & the Arturos, another stand out performance - Kate Weber, Mark Weber, Bernie Brauswetter, Jake Jar el, Gene Downin, Jim Somma, Snakeman Runyan, Chris O'Sullivan, Rotten Robert, Arne England, good ol' Jimbeu from Jimbeu & the Retrocasters, JR Bradfield, Walter Foot - and again, if I have left out your name - shoot me a nasty mail.

Special thanks again to The Rail ownership, management and staff, Amanda, Sarah, Jessica, Byron, Evan, Mike and especially my main man Nick. Kudos to Ed Pampani for the clicks, Eddie Ray from Computown, Win and Anheuser Busch for allowing us to give away eight pair of concert tickets to see the Marshal Tucker Band and Ten Foot Tall.

Next week's guesthost band will be our good friends the Bassboards Blues Band featuring Kate Weber. And we just might get a last chance to hear Duane Chez as he could stop in on his way to the Airport. Hope to see you all there next week at American Roots 7.

Keepin' it real,

Ned

Roots Review 5

I don't know what the world's record is for sign-up jammers at an open mic, but I would bet we may have rivaled that number last night as we successfully moved 31 of the most talented players you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere in the same building on and off the stage and back on again.

There were so many notable players that I'll have a little trouble recalling (as I do each Friday) what exactly happened last night and with who.

Today's review has to be shortened as I'm about to go tear Asbury Park a new one with Johnny Charles tonight so I'll try to catch up with the conclusion of this review over the weekend.

But, just for an idea of what went on, I'll list a few of the names - if I've left out your name, please don't be offended: Duane Chez, Plainfield Slim, Snakeman Runyan, Nasty Ned & Michael Krizan, Johnny Charles, Tommy Fuller, Mike Flynn, Bernie Brauswetter, Copa, Lori V, Kate Weber, Dennis Macarone, Todd Lanka, Michael Pfeifer, JR Bradfield, Mike Caruso, Walter Foot and many, many more!

We gave away a Djembe African percussion drum last night compliments of Duane Chez and 12 pair of tickets to see Blackfoot, Molly Hatchet and Dennis Peters compliments of Anheuser Busch - as matter of fact Anheuser Busch and Hieneken Light have been so supportive of American Roots they deserve a special shout-out right here.

Thanks again to The Rail ownership, management and staff, Amanda, Sarah, Jessica, Byron and especially Nick. Ed Pampani, Eddie Ray of Computown Technologies, Winn and all of you wonderful roots fans, players and friends.

I'll try to catch up with you over the weekend. I think I here Cadillac Johnny Beeping outside.

Keeping it real,

Ned

PS - Next week, at American Roots 6 we are throwing a farewell party for Duane Chez with lots of special plans. Please be there en masse to thank Duane for all he has done for the American Roots movement. He will be missed dearly.