ARL Roots Review 58

"The music's hot and there ain't no doubt. Son where ya' going? Where the music's hot"!
Slim Harpo

I can remember seeing Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show gyrating inside a little black & white-glass-globe-picture-tube. I know. That tells you I've been around for awhile - and yes, I've seen a lot.

But Sunday night at ARL 58, I saw the Wiliamzboy - the bluesy, folk-a-billy solo artist from Philadelphia at his finest and playing with a drummer and bass player.

And I saw Ron Michael's, the guy who pitches Aleeve on TV, blowing sparks from his trumpet and flugelhorn simultaneously.

That's something I never saw before.

Singers, songwriters and musicians from everywhere, as well as music fans of all root styles, came to celebrate American roots music at American Roots Live with Nasty Ned on our first night at Orphan Annie's.

With lot's of your favorite players and a good blend of new comers, the well-known roots roadhouse on Valley Road in Stirling, NJ took on a whole new glow.

From blues to jazz to be-bop and rock & roll – to country, R&B, folk, bluegrass and soul – all are the birthplace of today’s music at our American Roots Live open mic celebrations.

You can’t hear all of this music on the radio anymore but you can hear it live when you come to ARL at OA's on Sunday nights.

American Roots Live has always been amazing - and it still is, but what's really amazing is that ARL is still getting bigger and hotter, and me... more excited.

At ARL 58, singers smoked, drummers sizzled, guitarists burned and the lucky raffle winner of a box of Entenmann's Chocolate Donuts managed to get the tasty treats out of the building before the icing melted.

Others won autographed harmonicas, music CDs and copies of Elmore Magazine. But have no doubt, ARL 58 was all about the music, and that was very hot!

Again, they came from near and far and some, among the finest musicians (and baked goods) on the planet.

Many thanks to all who participated; JR Bradfield, Jamo Flynn, the Wiliamzboy, Len DePiano, Ed Pampani, Nancy Coletti, Roy Macnamara, Mimi Nowak, Arlene Schar, Rob Fraser, Ed Avilia, Bones Sanford, Ron Michaels, Freddie Macarone, Pam Priscilla, Brian, Gene, Chaz and more, and special thanks to Garry Hodgson for his efforts to record the evening for posterity. Also many thanks to Karin, Rick, Blueskid Productions, Win and Elmore "Saving American Music" Magazine.

The big diesel locomotives no longer rumble to within ten feet of our stage, but there's still a place for musicians and fans to come together in the name of music. It's where the music's hot - American Roots Live at Orphan Annie's every Sunday night. Thanks.

Keeping it real,

Ned

ARL Roots Review 57

American Roots Live 57 was another fun night of good friends and great music as we packed our bags down at the station and hit the road heading for the hills.

We heard our old friend Dean Shot tear off a few with Johnny Charles and Freddie Mac - Bradfield and Piano layin' it down with Powers - Bones plunkin' bass with Robert Zee and more.

The spirit of the players is what it's all about - everyweek - everywhere at ARL.

Thanks to John Powers, JR Bradfield, Len DePiano, Ed Pampani, Mimi Nowak, Johnny Charles, Bones Sanford, Robert Zee, Roy Macnamara, Josh Gebhardt, Brandon Kurzawa, Metal Bob, Freddie Macarone, Ron Michaels, Dean Shot, Walter Foot, Cal Ritchie and Byron J, our last night at the Rail rocked.

We're all excited to be opening American Roots Live on Sunday, June 3 in Stirling at Orphan Annie's, a venue that's been featuring live music since the 1970's. Rick Romano and BluezKid Productins has been running "open jams" on Sunday nights for years hosted by the likes of Bernie Brausewetter and many others. It seems fitting that American Roots Live will be taking over that slot.

So tell yo mamma and yo pa, and all your aunts, uncles and cousins, too that American Roots Live 58 with Nasty Ned will be lighting it up on Sunday night at 8 pm sharp with the Wiliamzboy, JR Bradfield, Roy Macnamara, Len DePiano and many other of the hottest players in three states.

Those coming from the Bound Brook area just head for the glow in the northern sky...

Keeping it real,

Ned