Roots Review 46, 47, 48

Well, I've been going a hundred miles an hour in every imaginable direction and do apologize for (this time) being three weeks behind on your Roots Review. The good news is, the dust is beginning to settle and we're gearing up for some great new American Roots Live open mic shows at the Rail and a brand new, long awaited, American Roots Live with Nasty Ned TV program that will air initially on Cablevision's channel 22 in Green Brook, Dunellen, Piscataway, Middlesex, Bound Brook, South Bound Brook, Manville, Raritan and Bridgewater, NJ.

I'll send an email with the air dates soon so you'll be sure not to miss it.

We have one more sponsorship spot left to fill so if you or someone you know would like to support American Roots Live and have your business message delivered on TV (very affordably to 40,405 central Jersey households) please contact me by email with your phone number at nastyned@att.net and I'll be sure to be in touch with you. Please mention a best time to call.

As for American Roots Live 46, 47 and 48, our open mic celebrations of American roots music at the Rail, we have had a blast and it's sure to get even better as the weather begins to break!

A few weeks back we were honored to have nine year old Brent Meyers playing his guitar with us on stage. Brent is the young man we first met at the Bluetone Cafe in Easton. He has a natural gift with his guitar abilities and an interest in American Roots music. We are always pleased when his father Eric brings him to our shows because sharing the music with young people is what American Roots Live is all about.

What was so cool about the last time Brent performed with us is that he didn't want to go on stage early, opting to wait until a larger audience was assembled - I love that!

Many thanks to John Powers for steadfastly co-hosting American Roots Live for all these weeks and special thanks and appreciation to all the dedicated musicians who make it happen week after week, namely: JR Bradfield, Ed Pampani, Len DePiano,
Mimi Nowak, Robert Zee, Roy McNamara, Arne Englund, Walter Foot, Keith McGonigle, Josh Gebhardt, Johnny Charles, Jaimo Flynn, Vern Mobley, Bobby Malavenda, Jake Jar El, Chris Porto, Randy Marinelli, Bob Giglio, Gavin Lawrence, Eric Plotkin, Dave O, Mike Mastrianni, Dave Rivera, Carlo, Metal Bob, Chris O'Sullivan, Paul DeLoia, Tommy Fuller, Arlene Schar, Dexterity, Summer Project, Evan Coniglio, Steve Yadlosky, Rotten Robert, Jim Michaels and more.

We are approaching our one year anniversary of American Roots Live and will celebrate the milestone on Sunday April 1st at the Rail where we'll give away the ARL autographed guitar to one lucky winner in attendance. As you know the guitar has been being raffled off for the past several weeks with all proceeds going to our friend Harry Okie who lost his home and all worldly possessions in an ugly house fire just before Christmas.

There is still time to purchase a ticket or two or six or ten - just come to American Roots Live any Thursday night starting at 9pm or any Sunday night starting at 7 at the Rail in Bound Brook and join the fun.

Thanks to Bobby Malavenda of Manville Music for donating the guitar. Many thanks to Rail ownership; Lynn and Mike and special thanks to the infamous Byron J for the kit. Props to Win, Ed Pampani and Eddie Ray and all our volunteers, sponsors and supporters and thanks to Elmore Magazine and publisher Suzanne Cadgene.

See you all soon.

Keeping it Real,

Ned

Roots Review 45

Back in April of '06 my brother from another mother, Mike Caruso, asked me if he could bring his 19 year old daughter to perform at American Roots Live saying, she's really good and would like to sing in front of an audience - my answer was a no-brainer - yes, of course, I said.

This is what American Roots Live is all about - involving young people with roots music.

Well, 19 year old Kelly Caruso came to our show with her dad and knocked us all out with her powerful, surprisingly disciplined voice, singing some old-school R&B. Everybody loved her and she came back again - and then again and very quickly became a crowd favorite. In the process, Kelly Caruso became an American Roots Live All Star!

The rest is history.

We salute Kelly Caruso - now known as American Idol's Kelly Caruso - for passing three American Idol auditions and hearing those coveted five words from Paula, Randy and Simon, "you're going to Hollywood, baby!".

Back from Hollywood, American Roots Live 45 welcomed Kelly Caruso back to The Rail and once again she knocked us out! Come and hear for yourself!

We now produce two American Roots Live shows at The Rail in Bound Brook, NJ - one on Thursdays at 9pm and one on Sundays starting a little earlier at 7pm. If you haven't been to one of our ARL shows... what are you waiting for?

Pick a night - or both - bring some friends and enjoy a fantastic night of live entertainment, great food and exciting prize give-aways. There's no other show like it anywhere. And if you play an instrument or sing, you are welcomed to join us on stage.

Just come on down to the station, (The Rail is located inside the historic Bound Brook train station where the trains still rumble in just 15 feet from our stage) see me to get on the play list; and maybe you will be on your way to becoming an American Roots Live All Star, too.

Props to all who performed at ARL 45: John Powers, Keith McGonigle, Josh Gebhardt, JR Bradfield, Ed Pampani, Kelly Caruso, Mike Caruso, Ryan Caruso, Tyler Penn, Bobby Malavenda, Walter Foot, Bones Sanford, Chris Porto from Exit Zero, Big Daddy and some of his Wild Cats; Jaimo Flynn, Brian Becklin; Len DePiano, ARL PA Ambassador Billy K, Grady Fletcher, Roy MacNamara, Robert Zee, Mimi Nowak, Bob DelRosso and more.

Special thanks to Rail ownership, management and staff, our sponsors, volunteers and supporters, Elmore Magazine and publisher Suzanne Cadgenne and especially you!

See you soon.

Keeping it real,

Ned

Roots Review 41 & 42

Yes, I have some catching up to do. Sorry for the delayed Roots Review - and, that I'm combining 41 and 42 - but it gets that way sometime, it do.

With juggling the American Roots Live Shows and all that goes with it, my duties for Elmore Magazine and arranging the Blaze Benefit for Harry Okie, I've been running in wet sand.

I hope you can join us Sunday at the Rail, January 28 for the American Roots Live All-Stars Blaze Benefit Concert for Harry Okie starting at 1pm and running 'til midnight. Doors open 12 noon.

15 ecclectic All Star acts will perform in an all-day benefit concert to raise money for Harry Zierdt and his kids who lost everything when their home burned down just before Christmas 'o6. Asking for a $10 donation at the door, we will graciously accept whatever you can afford, and will gladly accept any donations above $10. You can read Harry's story here and Up Stage Magazine's story about the benefit here. Complete line-up of acts here

It has been my pleasure and honor to host the American Roots Live shows each week and am so appreciative of our stead-fast, headlining co-hosts John Powers and Billy K. And it's so satisfying to be surrounded by the many talented musicians who have stepped onto our stage to tear us all a new one.

Recognition goes to Powers and K and all the particpating musicians at ARL 41 and 42: Johnny Charles, JR Bradfield, Chip Bush, Ed Moore, Mimi Nowak, Ed Pampani, Keith McGonagle, Robert Zee, Bob Del Rosso, Randy Marinelli, Bob Giglio, Tommy Fuller, Walter Foot, Eric Plotkin, Bob Malevenda, Joe Braverman, Bones Sanford, Whiskey Tango, Len Depiano, Carlo, Mike Carrol, ATypical Situation, Bad Monkeys, Chip Bush, Ed Moore, Jimi Hendrix's Anthem, Frank, Doc Z, Leo, Frank Tapler, Steve, Wes, Mike, Bob, Laurie Razz, Keith Pagan Sr. and Keith Pagan Jr., Matt Roman, Don Howland, The Bluetone's Aaron, Michael Lopresti, Mr. Deno, Nick T and Ross, especially for the Anthem.

Please Note: the current scheduling for American Roots Live Shows; every Thursday 9pm at the Rail in Bound Brook, NJ, and starting Sunday, February 11 at 7pm and every Sunday there-after - just two weeks after the benefit concert - ARL will be one big show on two great nights. ARL and the Bluetone Cafe will be taking a winter hiatus and will look at a re-start date in the future. All ARL shows at the Bluetone have been postponed until notice.

Thanks to Joe Karam, Mike and Lynn Ruane, Byron, Evan Coniglio, Win, Elmore Magazine and Suzanne Cadgene and everyone else for their interest and support.

See you at the benefit.

Keeping it real,

Ned

Roots Review 40

Do you want to know what really makes an American Roots Live open mic show so special? It's the high caliber of the musician on stage, lack of ego, respect for each other, willingness to accomodate and help each other for the sake of the show. And it's their professionalism and dedication to the cause.


Saving American Roots Live!

John Powers in New Jersey and Billy K, Chip Bush and Ed Moore in Pennsylvania get the job done week after week because of their dedication and because they love doing it and because they want to save the music.

We save the soundtrack of our culture by celebrating it each week and introducing it to young people. Inviting youngsters on stage to play with the pros is an experience they never forget. And each more than holds their own. It's exciting to see them play for an audience and get the feel for the stage. All of them, whether nine years old, 14 years old or 17 years old, are wonderful.

This week American Roots Live 40 welcomed Sarah MacCombie, a talenetd 19 year old bass player whose interests are playing and listening to jazz and blues. She kept it in the pocket for guitarist Bobby Malavenda with Ed Pampani on drums. Sarah is Bobby's student at Manville Music Center.

What was cool was seeing Johnny Charles stay on stage for two songs with the youngster after his own incredible set with JR Bradfield just showing his special interest.

I'm so proud of all of the musicians who step onto our stage each week.

Audiences at American Roots Live 40 at the Bluetone Cafe in Easton, PA and the Rail in Bound Brook, NJ were treated to inspiring performances by a red-hot Johnny Charles in both venues, Sonny Young, Arlene Schar, Vern Mobley, Doc Z, Joe Matthews, Michael Lopresti. Bones Sandford in both venues, Laurie Vosburg, Nick T, Keith Pagam Jr., Evan Wismer Jr., Goerge Kokokous and the fabulous Rob Fraser on bass from Mike Dugan and Blues Mission. Also thanks to Don Mickel.

There was John Powers, Pampani, a smokin' Jimmy Somma, Gary Amarossa, Screamin' Mimi Nowak, stump pickin' Bradfield who also played bass for who ever requested him, Bob DelRosso, young Sarah, Randy Marinelli, Carlo, Gavin Lawrence, Malavenda and that steady poppin' south-paw, Walter Foot. Also thanks to Rotten Robert and Dave Becker.

There really is no other show like American Roots Live anywhere.

And for all who come to American Roots Live, the food is absolutely great and affordable - at both venues.

The Bluetone Cafe in Easton serves up great hot and cold platters prepared by Aaron - and the best dang southern fried chicken 'round these parts. Order up some sweet potato fries and homemade cheese macaroni and you got yourself a delicious meal with plenty of jing left in your pocket.

The Rail in Bound Brook offers a great new menu including juicy burgers, pub fries, salads, wing specials and a DAILY 16 oz. Steak Special for $9.99 with seasoned red potatoes and fresh vegetables prepared by Matt. It's down right delicious and you get your monies worth and more - and that can't be beat.

Bring more than just your love of music to American Roots Live. There's good eatin' to be had at every show. And always come early to enjoy your meal and get a great seat.

My grateful appreciation goes to the folks who go the extra mile for our cause: Elliott "Win" Newcomb, Elmore Magazine and publisher Suzanne Cadgene, LouMarc Signs, Computown Technologies, Evan Coniglio, BJ Byron, Joe Karam, Mike and Lynn, our sponsors, supporters and volunteers.

And I also appreciate you.

Keeping it real,

Ned

Roots Review 39

The kids are alright!

Last Thursday's American Roots Live was the epitome of what our movement is all about... the kids. In a packed Bluetone Cafe full of musician's and fans of all ages American Roots music was the focus from blues to country to rock to free style jam.

Billy K & the Pocono Players laid down a solid set of roots based classic rock then backed Carl Van Camp who tore through some Elvis, Johnny Cash and George Jones (pic). Fans young and old soaked in the sweet sounds of yesterday.

Billy K was joined on stage by his 14 year old son Dolan Kutzman on Drums and 17 year old friend Tim Beery on Bass. Nick T on guitar and vocals played with nine year old Brent Meyers who took center stage this week playing his own strat in front of Ed Moore on drums and Chip Bush playing bass.

Nancy Colletti aired out her amazing voice while her children listened and 21 year old Michael Lopresti rocked electric with Matt Roman. Roman then free styled quite interestingly with Billy K - deep.

Other stand outs were Clay Reilly on trumpet. Kevin Tracy , keys, Jaimo Flynn on drums, Joe Matthews, bass Brian Becklin, guitar Sonny Young, guitar & vocals, some guy named Nasty Ned blowin' harp and with Arlene Schar in the house, many others.

Thanks to Elmore Magazine and publisher Suzanne Cadgene for their continued support of the effort, the Bluetone's Joe Karam, Doug, Aaron, Katelyn and Christine and thanks to all the parents for recognizing that American Roots Live Shows are a good place to bring the kids to grab a piece of history and expand a mind. For learning to play their instruments better on stage - which is an ultimate form of artistic expression - builds confidence in young people.

We all had fun. We're all proud.

Keeping it real,

Ned