Roots Review 17

Many thanks to Richard Skelly and the Low Budget Blues program, 88.7 FM WRSU for letting me come on the show Thursday night to talk about American Roots Live and American Roots TV and for the opportunity to play some new music from myself with Michael Krizan (an electric duo rendition of when Muddy met Little Walter), a brand new song by John Powers called Highway Lines that's destined to be a top ten record and 300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy from Honey Boy Dupree who will be joining us from Phoenix, AZ at American Roots Live 19 and for the TV shoot August 12th at Zupko's Tavern Theater in Dunellen.

Of course with that said, many thanks to John Powers and JR Bradfield for holding down the American Roots fort for the hour or so I was away on the air- American Roots 17 went off without a hitch thanks to these two dedicated professionals and it was star studded and packed with power and grace as usual.

Great performances that night by John Powers & the Arturos, JR Bradfield, Marc Wallace, Johnny Charles, Plainfield Slim and the Hawgs featuring Lee Fink, Mike Caruso, Rocco and Mike Scavone. Also Ed Pampani, Jamo Flynn, Todd Lanka, Bernie Brauswetter, Jim Somma, Chaz, Robert, Bones Sandford, Rotten Robert, Kelly Caruso, Gene Downin, Tony, Tommy Fuller, Dave Wilson, Ray, and Jim and Katherine with Joe on sax and Mike on Keys from Atypical Situation.

Many thanks to Johnny the Flame Thompson, Michael Krizan and Mike Dugan. Super props to all the American Roots supporters and volunteers, Win, Jessica, Byron, Ed Pampani, Mary Anne, Amelia Lange and Evan. Thanks to the Rail for their continued good will and thanks to all of you wonderful people - fans and players - who come out week after week to keep roots music alive.

See you all soon at American Roots 18 and don't forget the TV shoot on the 12th. It's going to be a great night that you'll not want to miss featuring myself and the Noo Dogs, Lee Fink, Gene Downin and Jake Jar el, Michael Krizan, Honey Boy Dupree, John Powers, Kelly Caruso, Johnny Charles, The DoughBoys, Plainfield Slim, Bernie Brauswetter, Kate Weber, The Flame and some unique surprises.

Keeping it real,

Ned

Roots Review 16

One aspect of producing the American Roots Live shows I enjoy as much as any other is matching musicians with each other to put on the best possible show for the satisfaction of an enthusiastic audience - while fitting in everyone on the sign-up sheet into the performance line-up for the satisfaction of the enthusiastic musicians.

And one thing we've found over the weeks is that nobody wants to miss the legendary jams that happen at the end of the night. The last notes played or sang at any American Roots Live Show are always the peak point of the show.

It's very cool (and satisfying for me) to be able to present guitar masters Tommy Fuller or Bernie Brauswetter or Johnny Charles with Walter Foot or John Powers on drums or Mike Caruso or Todd Lanka or Rob Fraser on bass... anyone need a keyboard player? We've got Alan Rogoff or Copa or Len DePiano. Need a harmonica? There's Snakeman Runyan or myself or Bones Sandford. Violin? Arlene Schar or Katherine Viksne.

You get the picture?

It is also equally pleasing to present young, upcoming, stand-out talent like John Powers and his amazing original songs or Kelly Caruso and her amazing voice or Johnny Flame with his thing.

We had another one of those tremendous evenings of music celebration at American Roots Live 16 with John Powers & the Arturos, Walnut Street, JR Bradfield, Johnny Charles, the Flame, Ed Pampani, Robert, Snakeman Runyan, The Street with Freddie & Charlie Macarone, Mike Nitro and Chaz, Tommy Fuller, Jim Somma, Bernie Brauswetter, Kate Weber, Walter Foot, Carlo, Mike Caruso, Arne Englund and Sue T.

Thanks to Richard Skelly for the plugs on the radio and for his attendance at American Roots Live after his Low Budget Blues Show on WRSU, 88.7 FM and the support and participation of Tom Cucchiara, president of Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation.

Many thanks to the Rail and staff. Christy for the great job at the door and Evan for his patience with sound and stage menagement. Thanks to all the American Roots supporters and volunteers, Win, Ed Pampani, Mary Anne and Amelia Lang. Thanks to Duane Chez and Honey Boy Dupree. Thanks to Rusty Vecci and Gavin Lawrence for there participation and everybody else who comes out to make it happen again and again.

Keeping it real,

Ned

Roots Review 15

46 musicians signed up to participate in American Roots 15, and though I'm blown away by that - both honored and elated - I'm sorry to say that only 42 musicians actually got up to play with some having to leave before their turns came up. To those players I say; "come on back y'all - let's try to slot you earlier next time".

Special thanks go to Big Boy Kenny Nerbak and Arne Englund for their efforts to shore-up our debut at the Bluetone Cafe in Easton, PA in September is a success AND major props again to John Powers for his tireless contributions to the American Roots movement across the board.

Duane Chez continues to lay the ground work for our American Roots invasion of Puerto Rico and Honey Boy Dupree, the ground work in Arizona. And yes folks, Honey Boy Dupree will be joining us in-person for American Roots 18 and 19 and the scheduled television shoot on August 12. (More on that very soon.)

Please encourage all of your friends - players or music fans - to go to www.nastyned.com to join the email list as there are a truck load of major announcements coming about all the roots rockin' fun in store for you in the very near future - you'll not want to miss the "word" when it comes down.

Stand out performances at American Roots 15 belong to John Powers & the Arturos, JR Bradfield, Arne Englund, Sue T, Lori V, Kelly Caruso, Mike Caruso, Bernie Brauswetter, Rob Fraser, Joe Iantosca, Ed Pampani, Tom and Eric Plotkin, Liz Moody, Snakeman Runyan, Jim Cimino and Kathrine Viksne of Atypical Situation, Alan Rogoff, Tommy Fuller, Len DePiano, Arlene Schar, Gavin Lawrence, Mondo Distorto, Gene Downin, Paul Deloia and all those who hit the stage way after the sign up sheet was completely full of autographs - yes - American Roots 15 was absolutely over the top.

So many thanks go to our dedicated volunteers and to all those who go the extra mile for the American Roots movement; Elmore Magazine, Richard Skelly, Win, Mary Anne, Ed Pampani, Robert, Jeff Page, Johnny Charles, Amelia Lang, Rotten Robert, JR Bradfield, Jim Beckerman, Jamo Flynn, Johnny "Flame" Thompson and others already mentioned. Together we are making a difference.

For those of you not already hip to Elmore Magazine (Saving American Music) click on their link at the top of this page and check them out. And while your there, get your subscription - I got mine! You'll love it.

Thanks to the Rail: Amanda, Sara, Jessica, Byron, Evan, Nick and all the rest.

See you at American Roots 16. Remember, there is never a cover charge at American Roots Live, but your generous donations are greatly appreciated and are what get you those little raffle tickets that allow you to win cool prizes like dinner & drink certs, concert tickets, autographed harmonicas and all kinds of other neat stuff.

Keeping it real,

Ned

Roots Review 14

I am more and more amazed each and every week at the momentum being gained by our American Roots movement. I am also blown away by the passion and supeme contribution of John Powers & the Arturos and the sincerity of others who have stepped forward to volunteer where ever needed and I am continuously humbled by those who simply say, "thank you," or "this American Roots thing is so much fun", or "I can't wait for Thursday nights to get here."

I must also say that the musicians who show up to play just for the fun of it - young or old - veteran or beginner - have given me and Powers and the rest of us so much joy that I find it hard to put into words sometimes. There really is no other show like our American Roots celebration anywhere!

Week after week we are honored to play with some of the most incredibly talented and well know musicians on the circuit and are continuously blown away by the sweet, awesome, powerful and soulful sounds coming from our stage.

I am happy to say that American Roots is expanding into Easton, PA in September at the Bluetone Cafe - the Lehigh Valley's #1 Blues and Roots club - and soon there after expanding into New York State. Yes, there will be three American Roots open mic celebrations each week; one in New Jersey, one in Pennsylvania and one in New York - and this also comes with plans to bring special monthly shows: The American Roots All Stars to places like San Juan, Puerto Rico where our American Roots Ambassador Duane Chez will play the lead role and into places like Phoenix, Arizona where AmRoots Ambassador Honey Boy Dupree is already hard at work behind the scenes.

Many thanks go to The Rail ownership, management and staff: Nick, Mike, Lynn, Amanda, Sarah, Jessica, Byron and Evan and many more thanks to the tireless volunteers and supporters, whom without, we could not be moving forward so quickly; Ed Pampani, Mary Anne, Win, Amelia and Eddie Ray. Thank you.

Kudos to the awesome players at last week's American Roots 14 (too numerous to describe their wonderful performances in detail) but they are: Ambassador John Powers, EJ Rice, Jeff Page, Johnny Charles, JR Bradfield, Billy K, Arlene Schar, Robert (who I must thank for that intense little harp mic he built for me from a 1960's tape recorder - it sounds great) Mike Caruso, Pancakes, Alan Rogoff, Marco Dulce, The Stephania Stream, Tommy Hayes, Jim Somma, Big Boy Kenny Nerbak, Rotten Robert, Arne Englund, Sue T, Chris O'Sullivan, Gene Downin, Tony, Brad Sicotte, Bernie Brauswetter, Paul Deloya and Gavin Lawrence - you are all stars in my book and I appreciate you all more than you know. Thank you.

I hope to see you again this Thursday at American Roots 15 and please... tell everyone you know, that if they're not celebrating American Roots music with us each week, they really don't know what they are missing!

Keeping it real,

Ned

Roots Review 13

Happy Birthday America

American Roots 13 was a rousing success. We had an eclectic group of top notch musicians sharing in the fun from JR Bradfield's Star Spangled Banner to his pre war finger picking blues to the electric blues of John Powers with EJ on Drums, Mike Caruso on Bass and Jeff Page on guitar - they really put it down - to the American Roots Sellers string band (sans a drummer)featuring Andy B from the VooDUDEs and Marco Dulce of Night Train. Man they really laid down some very refreshing country folk stylings complete with fiddle, mandoline and four part harmonies. Then it was Nasty Ned and Michael Krizan playing their electric brand of post war blues and then; the roof was blown off by Kelly Caruso backed by her father Mike on bass, Johnny Charles, Jeff Page on Guitar and Alan Rogoff on keys.

This was certainly the night of the divas as we heard Kelly Caruso, Lori V and Kate weber singing their tails of. It was also the night of the guitar wizards, including John Powers, Jeff Page, Johhny Charles, Michael Krizan and others.

Mentions and thanks have to go to all the awesome players - forty all total - including Jamo Flynn, Jake Jar el, Walter Foot, Ed Pampani, Michael Arthurs, Snakeman Runyun, Alan Rogoff, Billy K, Tom Plotkin, Eric Plotkin, Liz Moody, Rotton Robert, Bones Sanders, Gavin Lawrence, Ron Michaels nad Wayne Walcot on trunpet and trombone and many, many more.

We had players from as far away as the hills of Pennsylvania to th ecaverns of New York City. This is starting to really get wild. You'll not want to miss next week.

Kudos again to Rail management and staff, Winn, Sarah, Amanda, Evan , Jessica, Byron, Nick and Eddie Ray from Computown Technologies.

Please have a safe independance day celebration and I'll see you all again next Thursday for American Roots 14.

Peace.
Keeping it real,

Ned