ARL Roots Review 70

American Roots Live with Nasty Ned is not only about the music - it's also about the people. Those special people who make the music on our stage every Thursday and Sunday. Those passionate about the music we promote to preserve.

And it's about the vibe those people put out. Mimi Nowak is one of those people.

She is a talented singer who is out-going, fun loving and enthusiastic - all about the show - all about learning, sharing and expanding her abilities - and she puts out that good vibe.

Mimi Nowak is an American Roots Live All Star and we're proud to call her our friend.

Her autograph is among other ARL All Stars' autographs on the All Stars signature guitar we're raffling off at the end of the summer to help raise money for new stage equipment.

Only $3 a chance, two chances for $5 and five chances for $10, so please give yourself a chance (or chances) to win this awesome one-of-a-kind, signature guitar when you come out to American Roots Live. It's not a toy, it's a quality Austin electric guitar and a real collector's item. Johnny Charles plays one exactly like it and makes it sing when he performs.

So, if you win, you don't have to hang it on the wall if you don't want to. You can plug it in and jam on it.

Johnny Charles' autograph is on this guitar as are other ARL All Stars; John Powers, JR Bradfield, Snakeman Runyan, Len DePiano, Nancy Coletti, HoneyBoy Dupree, Lee Fink, Steve Pozz, Chuck Wegman, Evil Dick, Rob Fraser, Jamo Flynn, yours truly and many, many, many more.

And speaking of winning a guitar - Orphan Annie's is giving away a six string acoustic guitar at American Roots Live 71 this Sunday night, September 2nd compliments of Heineken - be there!.

Winning the Heineken guitar is super easy, too. All you have to do for a good chance to win is show up, buy a coke or a beer or anything from the bar and you'll be given a numbered raffle ticket. And you'll be given a guitar raffle ticket every time you purchase ANYTHING - all night long- a drink a burger a coke a bag of chips - anything!

Around 12 O'clock we'll draw the winning number and somebody will go home with that guitar. Pretty cool huh? I think so.

Last week's ARL playlist included a very talented 16 year old guitar protege of John Powers named Matt Stelljes. If you were there, you caught a pretty cool performance by the youngster. If you missed it, don't fret - Matt promised to come back again soon.

The entire ARL 70 playlist read: Matt Stelljes, John Powers, JR Bradfield, Len DePiano, Bones Sandford, Mimi Nowak, Phil Leibergall, Ed Pampani, Randy Marinelli, Corey Small, Chris O'Sullivan, Chet Smith, Ed Avilia, Don Howland, Keith Autocunas, Lisa Batruch, Ron Seibert, Rich Peterson, Doug Deittmann, Steve Klem, Kate Weber, Mark Weber, John Caruanna, Mike from Bassboards Blues Band, Chaz, Joe Salerno, Gene Goodman, Garry Hodgson, John Breen, Bob Giglio and our resident singing bartender, young Joe DeRogatis.

A great time was had by all - why not join us next time?

Thanks to all the usual suspects for making it happen. We encourage you to support live music where ever it is played and we hope to see you again this week at American Roots Live 71.

Keeping it real,

Ned

ARL Roots Review 69

Hint... Not just for musicians anymore!

Actually, it never was but truth be known, there have been more music makers than music fans at American Roots Live with Nasty Ned lately as word spreads within the musician's community that ARL is the place to be if you're a musician who wants to have fun playing with other musicians (not that that's a bad thing, but duh... there are deserving music fans out there missing some seriously over the top sound and performance - if you know them, please notify them.)

Because when top notch musicians get together with other top notch musicians, well... it's where you want to be if you are a music fan - then, when you consider the good food and drink at Orphan Annie's and the cool music prizes we give away on stage and... well... there is no other show like it anywhere!

Here, The Congregation filled our room with a higher power of sound Sunday night at ARL 68. You wanna talk about fun - OMG! A music fan's prayers answered.




Then, Thursday we picked up right where we left off the previous week with American Roots Live 69 as Carlo Trentacosta did his Blind Willie Johnson slide thing - and we all came together again in the name of music at Orphan Annie's.



Groove bassist extraodinare, Todd Lanka had more than just fun on his mind when he showed up Thursday night carrying a guitar. Wanting to air it out on the six strings - he then eyed Bertha laying across the floor.






So he put down his guitar, picked up Bertha and slapped her around for awhile as I blew harp and Bradfield plunked Stumpy...

No. No big women were hurt in the celebration of roots music this night - Bertha is JR Bradfield's upright acoustic bass and Stumpy is the guitar he built using a banjo ring, dobro resonator, a few wires, some snakeskin and a hunk of tree stump from his back yard. (JR and Todd pictured below with Stumpy and Bertha.)



















Then, Sunday night's ARL 69 was down right dilly-icious as Basking Ridge, NJ's Frank, Neil and Amanda showed up to perform their newly formed trio called Dilly. Brightly twanging acoustic guitars and Amanda's soaring voice kept a good sized crowd satisfied.


We hope Dilly comes back soon as I forgot to have them autograph the ARL All Stars signature guitar - which will be raffled-off at the end of the summer.

Raffle tickets are going fast for the September drawing, so please don't say I didn't warn you. If you want to win that autographed guitar, come and get your $3 raffle tickets before they're all gone. You don't have to be present to win and you can buy as many tickets as you like before the roll runs out - only what's left of this first role of tickets will be sold.

American Roots Live 69's playlist read: Bones Sanford, Ed Pampani, Len DePiano, Robert Zee, Carlo Trentacosta, Mimi Nowak, Keith Autocuna, Lisa Batruch, Jerry Fabris, Garry Hodgson, Peter Maillis, Amy Franza, Ron Seiberg, Todd Lanka, Paul Obremski, Ed Avilia, Bob Del Rosso, JR Bradfield, Phil Leibergal, Jamo Flynn, Dilly, Joe Salerno, Gene Goodman, Chaz, Mike Carroll, Doug Deittmann and young Joe the singing bartender.








Me and JR Bradfield would like to thank everyone who make this celebration of roots music possible: Orphan Annie's, Rick, Karin, Frank & Annie, BluezKid, Win and Ed Pampani for the photos, John Powers, Stevie and, well... you. Thanks.


Hope we see you again soon and if you know any music fans - do them a favor - bring 'em.

Keeping it real,

Ned

ARL Roots Review 68

Snakeman Runyan (left) and Johnny Charles smoke on stage at ARL 68.


(Review)
The BluezKid and me are always at odds over the terms "open mic" and "open jam".

He doesn't like one and I don't care for the other, especially when it comes to describing American Roots Live with Nasty Ned; the premier, equal opportunity celebration of roots music, recognizing Jazz, Blues, Country, Rock&Roll, R&B, Rock, Bluegrass, Folk, Gospel, Soul, BeeBop, Dixieland, Zydeco, Cajun, Native and everything in between that came before... See?

American Roots Live is open to all but is much more than an open-mic or an open-jam.

ARL's aim is to preserve and promote roots music with equal opportunity celebrations that are run like shows and in effect are showcases where the musician who graces the stage is promoted!

That's partly why I'm always spouting, "there is no other show like it anywhere!"

ARL is the twice weekly live music event where you can hear great music with your dinner - then, if you are a musician, play for an enthusiastic audience after dinner - and ARL is where parents can bring their youngsters to listen or to perform live music on stage with professional musicians.

American Roots Live is also an event where fans, musicians and youngsters can win prizes like classic roots music CDs, local artist's CDs, national music magazines, autographed Hohner harmonicas, delicious baked goods (yes, cookies and donuts) and even All Stars autographed electric guitars!

Also the aim of ARL is to rejuvenate an ever-shrinking "live music scene" by bringing music into venues on nights other than Fridays and Saturdays - bringing attention to "LIVE" music - and waging a fair fight against Karaoke, bad DJs, Texas Hold 'ems, Jello wrestling and other culturally deficient activities.

ARL encourages everyone to support live music whenever and where ever it is performed.

We commend our brother Len DePiano and good friends Dean Shott and Todd Wolfe for creating other live music opportunities for musicians - and ARL recognizes other live music "open sessions" popping up in other areas across the state and around the country.

Go! It's all about the music.

Robert Zee knows it.

Zee knows it's about playing it live, having fun with it and sharing the roots of the music with kids.

The music is the heartbeat of our culture.

We can't forget it.

American Roots Live 68 at Orphan Annie's in Stirling, NJ was another great two nights of, well... all that I've been talking about.

Come out and see for yourself. There really is no other show like it anywhere.

ARL 68's playlist read: Johnny Charles, Kim Brewer, Mimi Nowak, JR Bradfield, Len DePiano, John Powers, Ed Pampani, Keith Autocunas, Snakeman Runyan, Paul Obremski, Robert Zee, Ed Avilia, Bones Sanford, Mikey K., The CONGREGATION, Phil Leibergall, Chaz, Evan Coniglio, Roy Macnamra, Phil 'n the Blanks, Gene Gigliardi, Doug Diettmann, Carl Marcantonio, Rich Koerner, Bob Giglio and Amy Franza and Peter Mailliss, pictured below

Thanks to Orphan Annie's, Rick, Tim, Frank, Annie, Brad for finding the bad tubes, Stevie for drivin my ass around, Ed for breaking down the drums and Win for the photographs and of course, the BluezKid.

See you at American Roots Live 69!

Keeping it real,

Ned

ARL Roots Review 67

If a picture really is worth a thousand words what does this picture of Ken Brodack from Fort Myers, Florida, taken at a recent American Roots Live celebration, tell you?




This is why I say ARL is a good way to make the best out of "just another Thursday night" and a great cure for the Sunday night blues!

For 67 weeks - now two nights per week; Thursdays and Sundays - American Roots Live with Nasty Ned is where musicians and fans, from near and far, come to meet and party in the name of music. If you haven't joined us already you really should!








Kate Weber knows a thing or two about having fun. And she knows about the music too; where it comes from - the artists who made it long before she was born - and she knows it almost as well as she knows how to belt out any Janis Joplin song you throw at her!



Our ARL co host, JR Bradfield, the hardest working man in the show, knows how to have fun too. Then again he's had a lot of experience - he and his black Takamine have played for hundreds of thousands of people across hundreds of thousands of miles around this world before settling down at home, here at American Roots Live.


There is no place like home.

For me home is where my harp is and right now that's American Roots Live every Thursday and Sunday night at Orphan Annie's in Stirling, NJ. We do have fun. Come and see for yourself. There really is no other show like it anywhere!











Here's me gettin' down and having some fun at home. Man that feels good!



Join me and JR Bradfield and the rest of the American Roots Live All Stars at American Roots Live 68 this week and have some "get down" fun of your own. Or get down and order up some home cookin' and just sit back and relax.

Remember, when you eat at ARL I'll give you a FREE raffle ticket that could win you this ARL ALL Stars autographed guitar at our end-of-the-summer-drawing.











Here's the playlist from ARL 67. Remember, some of these talented folks participated in both shows: JR Bradfield, John Powers, Len Depiano, Mimi Nowak, Roy Macnamara, Johnny Charles, Carlo Trentacosta, Gavin Lawrence, Garry Hodgson, Keith McGonigle, Bones Sandford, Robert Zee, Doug Diettmann, Steve Pozz, Peter Mailliss, Amy Franza, Jamo Flynn, Lori V., Ed Pampani, Phil Liebergall, Chaz, Keith Autocanus, Chris O'Sullivan, Chet Smith, Ron Seibert, Brad Sicotte, Bob Giglio and a new band named Phil 'n the Blanks.

Many thanks to all who help make American Roots Live happen; Orphan Annie's, Rick, Tim, Sandy, Karin, Annie, Frank, Garry, Lori, Win & Ed for these photos and Stevie for the baked goods.

See you soon we hope.

Keeping it real,

Ned

ARL Roots Review 66

She came down out of the hills of eastern Pennsylvania to tear us all a new one last week at American Roots Live 66 after a too-long hiatus - but she was back, and that's all that mattered.

Sue T. ripped through a few rockin' blues numbers, Hound Dog, Cross Cut Saw and others, like a pole cat on a mission.

...and she sang and played better than ever!

American Roots Live 66 saw many incredible performances by outstanding musicians on our stage last week, all in the name of music and fun. We also saw the return of another ARL favorite; Miss Kate Weber, and with the good doctor, Greg Louganis joining her on keyboards.

Kate Weber and Sue T. were gracious enough to sign our ARL All Stars autographed guitar being raffled off to raise funds for our new stage equipment - making it an even more sought-after collectible. Thank you both.





There's always a groovin' good time waiting for new comers and old friends alike at American Roots Live, ARL 66 was no exception.







The 66 playlist read like a who's who of monsters on the circuit: JR Bradfield, Ed Pampani, Roy Macnamara, Bones Sanford, Gene Goodman, Carlo Trentacosta, Carl Marcantonio, Chris O'Sullivan, Arnie Englund, Sue T., Rich Koerner, Walter Foot, Don Howland, Bob Giglio, Jerry Lanza, Mimi Nowak, Snakeman Runyan, Joe Salerno, Lori V., Peter Mailliss, Amy Franza, Chaz, Doug Diettman, Ron Siebert, Pat Mulhern, Paul Obremski, Phil Liebergall, Kate Weber and the good Dr. Greg Louganis.

As word spreads of our roots music celebration we are now pre-booking acts from out of state who are passing through while on tour. You'll not want to miss these exciting acts in August and September down from Massachusetts and up from Georgia.

Dang! You don't want to miss American Roots Live at all, period! You never know what you might wittness, who you're going to see or what you might hear!

As for the autographed guitar; it is being covered with some of the coolest names on our music scene - a collectible piece you'll cherish and want to display proudly, no doubt.

Among the autographs emblazoned on the axe body so far are Johnny Charles, John Powers, Nancy Coletti, Jamo Flynn, Dave Carta, Kim Brewer, Keith McGonigle, Snakeman Runyan, Arnie Englund, Robert Zee, Roy Macnamara, Sue T., Kate Weber, Jerry Lanza, HoneyBoy Dupree, Lee Fink, JR Bradfield, Mimi Nowak, Lori V., Nasty Ned and many, many more.


Tickets are just $3 a piece - two for $5 - and five for $10 and you don't even have to be present to win. We are only letting go of a limited number of tickets so you should get yours soon before they're gone. The limited number of tickets in circulation assures everyone good odds, but please be aware, there is no limit to how many tickets you can acquire. You can improve your own chances to win.

Here's how it will work.

We're asking everyone to put a first name and telephone number on the backs of each ticket. At the end of the summer, when the winning ticket is drawn (and if you're not in the room) you will be phoned by me from the stage and told the good news. You only have to answer your phone. That's all!

Also, during the month of August everybody will have extra chances to win the guitar. Just show up at American Roots Live any Thursday or Sunday inside Orphan Annie's and order up some mouth watering vittles. Yes, just come and eat with us and you'll receive a autographed guitar raffle ticket for FREE!

See you soon. Thanks to all who make ARL possible.

Keeping it real,

Ned