ARL Roots Review 74

Wow! With over 30 musicians and bands on the 74 playlist, American Roots Live with Nasty Ned proved again why it is far and away the premiere open mic celebration anywhere.

Both nights were filled with incredible music by such notables as John Powers, Johnny Charles (pic), Dean Schot, Arne Englund, our new friends from Toronto, Canada, touring band; Vanderpark and many more.

For six years now, Vanderpark has been creating a buzz above the border by playing everywhere they can. They've also showed off their songwriting savvy, tight harmonies and serious musicianship opening shows for the legendary Little Feet across the great north as well as playing with the Spin Doctors and others.


Now on tour in the states, we were fortunate enough to be treated to a Vanderpark performance when Dave, Marcus, Al and Hanaya took time from the long road to stop in at ARL last week. If you haven't heard of Vanderpark yet, you will.

There is an undeniable dynamic that exists between its members making a Vanderpark show easy and refreshing. With three show dates left in the US including Cincinnati and Cleveland before returning to Toronto to celebrate their CD release party at the famed El Mocambo, try to catch Vanderpark whenever and where ever you can. Their music is intelligent, accessible and it rocks, and it's available from iTunes, Napster and on the band's myspace page - go get you some.

ARL 74's playlist read: John Powers, JR Bradfield, Ed Pampani, Mimi Nowak, Len DePiano, Randy Marinelli, Robert Zee, Carlo Trentacosta, Keith Autocunas, Lisa Batruch, Johnny Charles, Cleaver June; Lisa, Jeri and Lucky, Chaz, Gene Gigliardi, Carl Marcantonio, Bob Giglio, Frank Cerulli, Vanderpark, Tommy Toye, Hershall Dow, Vinnie Capodice, Sticks Obremski, Bill LaClaire, Roy Macnamara, Arne Englund, Dean Schot and Rich Koerner.






Thanks to all who make ARL possible week after week and please try to come to our benefit for autism on October 21 - see poster below.

See you soon.

Keeping it real,

Ned

ARL Roots Review 73

Thanks to Lenny D, our house keyboardist and one-man street team, we met Cleaver June at American Roots Live 73.

From New Jersey, the all-female rock band was hard-hitting, high-energy and fun...

and Lenny? Always cool. Thanks "D"

Len DePiano, a big part of our success, puts out a good vibe.






He is all about the music, all about having fun with the music and all about people coming together in the name of music. He is also never happier than when he's tickling his 88's. And man this cat can play!

He shows it every week and 73 was no exception. That's why Lenny D is an American Roots Live All Star.

D's autograph is among the 50 or so All Stars' signed on the Austin electric guitar we're giving away.

This guitar is being raffled off very soon so don't miss out! Come to our show with-out further delay for your chance. You do not have to be present to win, but I can't imagine why you wouldn't want to be...


We have loads of fun at ARL and some nights it's pure magic. If you're a music fan you'll really appreciate the wide diversity of talent. And on any given night you may hear some of the biggest names on the circuit. Whether seasoned veteran or eager newcomer, everyone brings their own unique talent. Did I mention no cover charge?











ARL 73's playlist included John Powers, Ed Pampani, JR Bradfield, Mimi Nowak, Len DePiano, Keith Autocunas, Robert Zee, Johnny Thompson, Carlo Trentacosta, Rich Peterson, Cleaver June; Lisa, Lucky & Jeri, Bob Giglio, Frank Cerulli, Phil Leibergall, Lisa Batruch, Tommy Toye, Sonny Young, Arlene Schar, Gene Gigliardi, Joe Salerno, Sandy Joren, Roy Macnamara, Paul Obremski, Rich Koerner, Carl Marcntonio, Ron Seibert, Doug Deitmann and Rob Fraser.

Thanks to Orphan Annie's, Rick, Sandy, Karin, to Cookie & Carl, Ed & Win, Lenny, Baby Brother and Bradfield.

See you soon.

Keeping it real,

Ned

ARL Roots Review 72

If you missed week 72 of American Roots Live with Nasty Ned, you missed some of the most honest, young performances of individual roots styles you may've ever seen or heard... anywhere.

First, the long-awaited arrival of Smokestack the Foothill Fury, from north Georgia, was nothing less than inspiring and entertaining.

Full of fury, like a rolling and tumbling ball of energy, Smokestack played raw, down-from-the-hills blues. A refreshing slap in the face to pretentious, over-produced pop.

Here's a back view of his home-made, one-man-band-contraption and guitar. (tip-bucket normally hangs in front.) He plucked, strumed and slid all over that guitar attacking the neck from below and over top. With wailing vocals and kicking feet, Smokestack the Foothill Fury is a crowd pleaser and authentic bluesman.

In his own words he is carrying the torch for a music that he loves and encompassing the very feeling of what good ole' blues is all about.

We are proud to have presented him on our stage and look forward to his return. He's coming back, maybe as early as next week after a swing through New England and Nova Scotia. Keep an eye out.

Then, we were thrilled to welcome back our friend Johnny Thompson, one of the smoothest, most talented young blues guitarists in New Jersey.

We're used to hearing Johnny burn it up on the electric guitar, but were far from disappointed by his flawless, enthusiastic set of acoustic pickin' and singin'. At just 22 years of age Johnny Thompson is facing sunny horizons.

We look forward to his return very soon.

Hershall Dow, with a sound and presence as big as Texas was a crowd favorite twice at ARL 72. His "up yours" outlaw-country swagger set the tone aptly for his witty, often humorous songs.

At this pace good 'ol Hershall may become an American Roots Live all star, too.


All totalled, number 72 featured 25 unique individual musicians and singers - one for the first time and one for the 100th.

Our playlist read: Smokestack the Foothill Fury, Johnny Thompson, Hershall Dow, JR Bradfield, John Powers, Ed Pampani, Mimi Nowak, Keith Autocunas, Len DePiano, Mike Carroll, Lisa Batruch, Ron Seibert, Randy Marinelli, Rich Peterson, Frank Cerulli, Paul Obremski, Ed Avilia, Carl Marcantonio, Rich Koerner, Joe Salerno, Tommy Toye, Gene Gigliardi, Chaz, and drummer Adam Pliss.

Thanks to Orphan Annie's, Rick, Karin, Kate and our photographers; Ed and Win.

See you soon.

Keeping it real,

Ned

PS - Happy belated birthday to our dear, departed brother Bernie Brausewetter 9/10/07

Never Forget

ARL Roots Review 71

Behold the talking guitar. It speaks volumes for the fun and excitement that has taken place on the American Roots Live stage, and for all of the talented musicians who have come together in the name of "live music" and "roots music preservation".


It also bears the autographs of those talented and diversely interesting players - some, the finest in the country - who have stepped onto the ARL stage over the last three months to entertain audiences and themselves with live roots rockin' fun, while in some cases, forging new bonds with musicians they've never played with before!

Would you like this "talking" guitar to come and live with you? It can happen. Because the purpose of this guitar and all of its significant signatures, is to raise money for new American Roots Live stage equipment so the magic may continue uninterrupted as it does week after week.

Please support American Roots Live by coming out with your friends; enjoy the music, the food, the adult beverages and purchase a chance or two to win this awesome, real-live, electric guitar. Raffle chances are only $3 per, two for $5 or five for $10 AND you do not have to be present to win. The big raffle is right around the corner and the exact date will be announced soon.

Come to a show on any Thursday or Sunday night at Orphan Annie's in Stirling, NJ and I'll explain how simply it works AND while you're there you may be witness to one of the most exciting impromptu performances you have ever heard.

ARL 71 was no exception as we played host to some big Dogs and a big dude: Mike Flynn and Lee Fink of Nasty Ned & the Dogs and Fred Saunders of the VooDUDES. (left to right below; pic:win)



These three, with 16 strings between them, put on a virtual clinic. The place rocked with mouths agape as sweet swirling sounds filled the room. Mike, Lee and Freddie had fun on stage for close to an hour while we rotated different drummers, singers, keyboardists and harp players on and off the stage so all could get a piece of playing with the dynamic trio.

The ARL playlist read: Ed Pampani, JR Bradfield, Len DePiano, Mimi Nowak, Phil 'n the Blanks, Robert Zee, Freddie Saunders, Bones Sanford, Ron Seibert, Lee Fink, Mike Flynn, Chris O'Sullivan, Chet Smith, Keith Autocunas, Lisa Batruch, Ed Avilia, Randy Marinelli, Phil Leibergall, Frank Cerulli, Jamo Flynn, Nick Conti, Bob DelRosso, Carl Marcantonio, Rich Koerner, Gene Goodman, Bill Ceseni, Roy Macnamara, Joe Salerno, Janet and John of Critical Mass, Chaz, Todd Lanka, Bob Giglio, and Tom Toye.




Many thanks to all who help make ARL possible Rick, Frank, Annie, Joe, Sandy, Karin, Ed Pampani and win for the pics. And congratulations to Tim Bridge for winning the Orphan Annie's Labor Day guitar give-away compliments of Heineken.

Hope to see you again soon. Don't miss what the talking guitar is going to say next.

Keeping it real,

Ned

PS - Coming to American Roots Live 72 Sunday, September 9th will be Smokestack the Foothill Fury, all the way from the north Georgia hills. He's a gas - don't miss him.