ARL Roots Review 78

We had lots of great music by passionate musicians last week. Some new-comers, some regulars and some old friends we haven't seen in a while.


Young Joe DeRogatis (right) sings some old school R&B.










We introduced Kayka for the first time at American Roots Live as she kicked ass with some 50's blues done 60's style with a new millennium attitude accompanied by Ed Avilia on bass, Ed Pampani on drums and our new friend Mike Coyle playing harmonica.







ARL 78 kicked off with lots of people sharing Edgar and Johnny Winter stories as at least a dozen American Rooters made the Winter's show at Starland Ballroom after winning tickets for the concert last week at ARL 77 thanks to Blueskid.


On Sunday more than 40 musicians, including seven bands came together during our twelve hour marathon to raise money for the Eden Institute in Princeton at our Roots Rockin Riders Bikers Benefit for Autism co hosted by Flock Promotions. During the day the name Bernie Brauseswetter was respectfully evoked, numerous times, as we all knew if BB were still with us, he'd be there too helping out for a good cause as he so often did.

Many thanks to all the musicians who came to help, all audience members for their support, Orphan Annie's for the venue and good vibe and to AJ, Lee and Frankie for their unwavering, tireless work for the Eden Institute - and special thanks to my friend and yours, co-host JR Bradfield.


American Roots Live's combined playlist read: Joe DeRogatis, Robert Zee, JR Bradfield, Ed Pampani, Mimi Nowak, Ed Avilia, Johnny Thompson, Tim Ludwig, Dave Alles, Mike Coyle, Kayka, Randy Marinelli, Carlo Trentacosta, Carl Marcantonio, Spider Lilly, Bones Sanford, Gene Gagliardi, Mike Carroll, Frank Cerulli, Ryan Maas, Johnny Thompson Band, Phil Leibergall with Phil n' the Blanks, The Congregation: Chuck Wegman, Evil Dick, Sal and Rich, The Dogs: Lee Fink, Mike Flynn, Gene Downin, Jake Jar el, Jerry Lanza (below),The Jerry Lanza Band: Ray DiGiovanni, Tito, Chris O'Sullivan, Ed Avilia, Johnny Charles & the Straight 8 Blues Kings, Bradfield, Kim Brewer, Jamo Flynn, Katmandu, Tal, Rich, Randy, Jeff Kesili, Vinnie Capodice, Snakeman Runyan, Tom Cucciara, Keith Autocunas, Ron Seibert, Tommy Toye, Joe Colucci, Roy Macnamara, Peter Malliss, Chaz and Jimmy Farkas.


Many thanks to all who make American Roots Live the place to be week after week, OA's, Annie, Frank, Rick, Karin, Joe, Rich, Bradfield, Powers, Macnamara, Nowak and especially Win and Ed for the great photos.

We all wish Hershall Dow a quick recovery and quick return to the show - God speed brother.

See you soon again.

Keeping it real,

Ned

ARL Roots Review 77

Your bed's on fire! Your bed's on fire!

That's what I've been saying to my friend Copa - the multi-instrumentalist best known as the keyboard player in my earliest bands, Shadowfax and R Band and a more recent Famous Chili Dogs - for as long as I can remember, because he played so hot. At least I think that's why I always said that.

Copa and I spent a lot of time together. In the late 70's we traveled to places like Houma, Louisiana and Hafuf, Saudi Arabia and almost everywhere in between - in bands that had little to do with us - then spent most of the early 80's writing songs and recording comedy skits in his home studio behind gallons of producer juice and piles of other stuff.

Well, Copa, who now lives about a hundred miles south of here, made it up to American Roots Live 77 at Orphan Annie's last week to play with us all. He brought his keyboards, but spent the night burning up the bass - I told you he was hot - and we loved it as much as he did, as he made many new friends. Thanks Cope.

Last week was full of great players as we welcomed back our old ARL friends Jimmy Somma and Tommy Hayes and Peter Malliss - and some old favorite regulars like Johnny Charles and Evil Dick of the Congregation.

And we gave away 6 pairs of tickets to see Johnny Winter and Edgar Winter in concert at the Starland Ballroom compliments of BluezKid. Everybody was smilin' big time!

We lit up the northern sky at 77 as we have many times at ARL and just as we'll do again this Thursday night and ALL DAY Sunday, October 21st at our "Roots Rockin' Riders, Bikers' Benefit for Autism. Doors open at 12N, music starts at 2pm and goes til midnight featuring Johnny Thompson at 2pm, Phil 'n the Blanks 3pm, The Congregation 4pm, Nasty Ned & the Dogs 5pm, The Jerry Lanza Band 6pm, Johnny Charles & the Straight 8 Blues Kings 7pm, Katmandu at 8pm and then an American Roots Live All Star Jam the rest of the way - and I'm pretty sure we're going to have some "girl power" coming!

77's playlist read: JR Bradfield, John Powers, Copa, Jimmy Somma, Tommy Hayes, Mimi Nowak, Ed Pampani, Ron Seibert, Bobby Z, Robert Zee, Hershall Dow, Mordichai, Dave Alles, Ed Avilia, Randy Marinelli, Keith Autocunas, Lisa Batruch, Joe Salerno, Frank Ceruli, Joe DeRogatis, Phil Leibergall, Sandra Lynne, Molly, Evil Dick, Dennis Grove, Tommy Toye, Jeff Frank, Sticks Obremski, Vinnie Capodice, Tim Ludwig, Peter Malliss, Amy Franza, Tony Prochilo, Bones Sanford, Johnny Charles, Johnny Thompson, Carlo Trentacosta, Gene Gagliardi, Retox, Carl Marcantonio, Chaz, Ron Michaels, Arlene Schar, Rob Bianco, Rich Keorner and Vinni Meleto.

Thanks to all who make American Roots Live work week after week: Orphan Annie's Rick, Karin, Joe, Bradfield, Powers, Mimi and Ed and Win for their support and photographs. (Due to a misfunction in Blogger today there are no pictures here, sorry)

See you soon again.

Keeping it real,

Ned

P.S. Tonight, Wednesday October 17th is opening night of Writers in Raritan, our new singer-songwriter show at DeCicco's featuring Robert Ross, John Powers, The Wiliamzboy, Bruce Jepson and Peter Prasa - please check it out at Writers in Raritan

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 60

Who's your daddy?



Sunday night, Orphan Annie's in Stirling, NJ was full of daddies...
In the house and on the stage.

We thank mothers and children for sharing their daddies with us at American Roots Live 60 and, thank the daddies for sharing live music with their kids.

Again our open Celebration of American Roots featured an eager youngster performing with us on stage in the name of music preservation. Emily Mulhall, an 11 year old singer from Hampton, NJ belted out a 1940's styled cabaret number showing real presence and poise with nice range and vocal discipline. Her proud father Jeff looked on.

Room silent. Could'a heard a pin drop. Emily warbled wonderfully accompanied only by Nancy Coletti on piano.

Orphan Annie's is a great family place
to enjoy good music and good food together. A clean, well managed establishment, we thank Orphan Annie's for helping us feel right at home. It was evident on Father's Day. Lots of smiles, and fun and good food.

And on this night it was kids winning a lot of the cool raffle prizes! 4 year old Emily Wegman won an autographed Hohner Harmonica while Emily Mulhall held the winning ticket for the Entenmann's Chocolate Donuts. Others went home with music CD's; Charlie Parker, one autographed by Pinetop Perkin's, and the latest issues of Elmore Magazine "Saving American Music".

Another kick Sunday was Fickle, a young band out of Covington, KY. Currently touring, but with a night off, they dropped in at Orphan Annie's in NJ to play ARL on their way between gigs - Saturday in Quincy, MA and Monday, Baltimore, MD.

It was great meeting and hearing Brian Martin, Dennis DeZarn, Ian McGee and Chris Mueller.

After their set, Fickle hung out and dug others performing, commenting the next day on myspace.com/americanroots, they enjoyed playing with us and that it was inspiring to see what goes on at American Roots Live. The new Fickle CD on Orchard Records is available online at CD Baby and iTunes - go get it.

Thanks to Rick, Karin and Annie, ARL 60's play list read: John Powers, JR Bradfield, Len DePiano, Nancy Coletti, Emily Mulhall, Mimi Nowak, Chuck Wegman and Evil Dick of The Congregation, Ed Pampani, Roy Macnamara, Robert Zee, Chaz, Bob Giglio, Gary Paul Hermus, Arne Englund, Garry Hodgson and Fickle.

We always have a blast at American Roots Live - and now we're in a great new room - so if you haven't been to one of our celebrations... what are you waiting for? ARL 61 this Sunday night at Orphan Annie's is a good idea.

Keeping it real,

Ned

Roots Review 52

Our one year anniversary celebration of American Roots Live at The Rail last week had me feeling like Lou Gehrig. By that I mean I felt like the luckiest man on the face of the earth.

And when I think about American Roots Live and the tight little artist's community that has come together over the past year, I realize I am the luckiest man on the planet. To be surrounded by so many talented and dedicated musicians and coordinators who have helped me to realize a dream, and one that has become their own - working to preserve American roots music for future generations - I am most fortunate indeed.

American Roots Live 52 Sunday night was a masterpiece. After the raucous crowd response to our national anthem played on harmonica, Chuck Wegman and Evil Dick of The Congregation embraced the honor of kicking off the show with an unplugged, unpretentious set of Congregation originals and covers. Awesome.

Then, on to the youngsters. Nine year old Brent Meyer, with his big Fender Stratocaster (pictured left, below) and his parents and sister in attendance, stood proud center stage picking strings before an enthusiastic audience supported by Jaimo Flynn on drums, JR Bradfield on bass, and ARL Ambassador from Pennsylvania, Billy K on guitar.




After Brent breezed through his set he was followed on stage by his seniors, 14 year old Dolan Kutzman playing drums and 16 year old Tim Beery on bass, both rockin' in the free world with Dolan's father, Billy K center stage.

What followed was a roots revival to be rivalled by no other - remember, there's no other show like American Roots Live anywhere!

ARL 52 Sunday was also the night of the all-stars autographed guitar contest, completing the blaze benefit for Harry Okie and his kids who lost their home to fire just before Christmas '06.

Phil Ouellette of Union, NJ was the lucky recipient of the autographed guitar donated by Manville Music. He smiled shyly with pride in accepting the prize knowing that he - along with many other people - donated to the cause that, all totalled, raised $1,960.02.

No one knows from where the two pennies came, but they were in the bucket and appreciated non-the-less.

Everybody was jacked both Sunday and Thursday nights as tremendous performances were put in by the afore mentioned players as well as John Powers, Mimi Nowak, Ed Pampani, Big Daddy & the Wild Cats, Roy MacNamara, Johnny Charles, Len DePiano, Robert Zee, Snakeman Runyan, Arne Englund, Metal Bob, Gavin Lawrence, Randy Marinelli, Al Madison, Johnny Thompson, Uncle Wayne, Bob Giglio, Chris Porto, John DiGiovanni, Steve Pozzelanti, Ray Mack, Mike Carrol, Dennis Macarone, Saxophone Joe and Cal Ritchie with special thanks going to Elliot "Win" Newcomb , Elmore Magazine and much appreciation to many others.

Also, as an aside - for those aware and concerned - Monday's surgery was a success and I'm recovering nicely wrapped in terry cloth and perched atop a bag of frozen peas. Thank you all for your generous gifts and offers of assistance, and your prayers, thoughtful emails and phone calls.

I'll see you tomorrow night down at the station for American Roots Live 53 and can't wait to experience the excitement this next year will bring!

Keeping it real,

Nasty Ned

PS - Happy Birthday to Muddy Waters - April 4th

Roots Review 49 & 50

I'm having so much fun hosting American Roots Live that I almost feel guilty. I ask myself, how can one person enjoy such satisfaction when there are so many other unhappy, discontented people in the world complaining, "I can’t get no..."?

Well, the answer is simple really. I'm surrounded by satisfying people - some of the most talented and dedicated musicians you'll find anywhere. And damn nice people at that and they all come together to play and celebrate American Roots Music.

And where would we be without John Powers, JR Bradfield, Len Depiano and Mimi Nowak.

I didn't set out to save the world with American Roots Live, just the music. And, as I soon realized, many others felt the same way and recognize American Roots Live as a viable entity. A noble cause. A great forum from which to play. To emote. To share. To bear one's soul and to build their chops. Can I get an amen?

It really is the spirit of the people who come to American Roots Live open mic celebrations that make it work. And not just the musicians, but the listeners, too. Have you ever tried eating peanut butter without the jam? It's like playing music with no audience or being in the audience with no music. A little hard to swallow. But fortunately, we have both at ARL.

And that's why we all have so much fun at American Roots Live. If you have never joined the fun at one of our shows, you must put it on your grocery list of things to do. Please do join us. We're having an abundance of good times and there is plenty to go around, besides, we want to share it with you.

Ask any of these recent participants and they will tell you the same thing: American Roots Live with Nasty Ned every Thursday and Sunday night at the Rail in Bound Brook, NJ's historic train station is the place to be when your hungry for some good music – John Powers, Keith McGonigle, Josh Gebhardt, JR Bradfield, Johnny Charles, Ed Pampani, Len Depiano, Mimi Nowak, The Congregation; Evil, Chuck, Rich and Sal, Bobby Malavenda, Jaimo Flynn, Robert Zee, Roy MacNamara, Bob Del Rosso, Walter Foot, Bones Sanford, Dennis Macarone, The Doctor, Arlene Schar, Sonny Young, Billy K, Mike Carrol, Metal Bob, Chris Porto, John DiGiovanni, Paul Nagy, Dave Lippencott, Katmandu; Randy, Corey and Tal, Tommy Fuller, Bob Giglio, Rotten Robert, Carlo, Joe Sax, Brent Meyer, Calvin Ritchie, Gavin Lawrence, Chris O Sullivan and many, many more...

Many thanks to all who have come to listen and win prizes and to the management and owner ship of the Rail, our supporters, volunteers, sponsors and ambassadors.And many thanks to Charles T. Wegman for the beautiful enhancement of our American Roots Live logo.

See you all soon.

Keeping it real,

Ned