In our series Jersey Benefits, Cal & TaraJean travel across New Jersey discovering the amazing people who give back to their community.

This segment called “Take What You Need” is filmed in Union Beach and Belmar.

Amongst the rubble of Union Beach, we discovered a family who has opened up their home to help those in need.

The O’Hea Family and their three children, along with many volunteers, work tirelessly to create a place where neighbors can come for coffee, to charge their phones and find something warm to wear. They have stocked donated supplies in their front yard making it accessible to anyone who stops by.

In Belmar the town’s volunteers band together to help gut homes, replenish needed home goods, and provide meals to families who are still struggling with rebuilding their homes.

Singer Michael Grant had written and song called “Our Town”. Michael says it is “a tribute to all my friends on the Jersey Shore. 100% of all proceeds received from downloads of this song will go toward helping those affected by Hurricane Sandy!”

All proceeds from the sale of his song “Our Town” go to “Hurricane Sandy Helping Hands”, A grass-roots organization dedicated to helping the residents of NJ repair, rebuild, and restore their lives. Visit his website for more information www.michaeltgrant.com.

Please contact tarajean@njdiscover.com if you have a story you would like us to share.

All Sponsors for the Jersey Benefits TV Show please contact tarajean@njdiscover.com

NJDiscover – We are a Production Company, Website Magazine and Cable Television Show. We specialize in TV commercials, Website Commercials, Events and Reality Shows.

COMING ATTRACTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Coming Together “A Hometown Heroes Benefit for Seaside” Strand Theater, Lakewood. Saturday January 26th 2013

I’m always selective on this segment for NJ Discover before I recommend. I look at venues/performers and in this case one of my favorite historic theaters replete with ambiance and ghosts of The Great Gatsby; the Strand was built in 1922. What a wonderful venue to listen to rock, dream, drift back to the future for a few moments. Yes I love the Strand. I also love when the message gets out to the world embraced by NJ Discover to get off your sedentary sofas and take full advantage of all that New Jersey has to offer. And the offerings these days come with reasons to believe;  doing something for our home state and benefiting Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. There used to be a New Jersey tourism commercial, “New Jersey and You, Perfect Together.” Same deal here at the Strand. I love LOVE this line up of hometown Jersey rock bands and opportunities to meet and greet actors and band members before hand. It’s all a perfect night. And there is NO football this weekend. Perfect. Music. Food. Drink. People. Strand Theater. and Rock and Roll. and a great cause: To benefit Seaside with some of Jersey’s Greatest Hometown Heroes. See you at the Strand.

Calvin Schwartz

Event: Coming Together! Benefit Fundraiser for Families Struck by Hurricane Sandy

January 26, 2013

Strand Theater – Lakewood NJ

Meet & Greet –

Tentatively: 5:00 to 6:30PM

Includes food and beverages and DJ

Cake from Cake Boss

On Hand for Meet and Greet:

Joe Sernio ( All My Children )

Warren Bub ( No One Lives Forever)

Garry Pastore (Law and Order, Hudson Film Studio)

Artie Pasquale ( Sopranos )

Rick Zahn ( Its Always sunny in Philadelphia)

Others to be announced…

Main Show: 7:00PM – 11:30PM

Shorty Long Band

International recording artist New Jersey’s Chris Leone

Eddie Testa Band

Nick Clemons Band  

Gary Rupenian (The Bangs

Surrender Darcy Band

a little surprise by Vin-Taze

Edison’s Children

Gary Rupenian (The Bangs

Surrender Darcy Band

Also, there will be blind auctions and a 50/50 drawing

100% ALL FUNDS RAISED GOES DIRECTLY TO THE FAMILIES!!!

website: www.heroescomingtogether.org

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT http://strand.org/

Cost for Tix:

$40.00 for show w/meet and greet – limited tickets!

$25.00 for Main Event

Goal: To help as many families as possible!

Families being helped will also be present

Calvin Schwartz

Grand Opening Press Conference  ‘Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation.’ An Amazing Historic Place!

January 14, 2013    By Calvin Schwartz

As a journalist who gravitates to music these days, there are events to cover and then every once in a while, I alight from my Conestoga wagon of discovery ( I wish I was around  when the first Conestoga wagons were coming off the assembly line in Detroit) and walk into a magic world of music history and relevance. Such was yesterday at the opening press conference for the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation headquarters on Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park’s hip business address. I started my love affair to remember with Asbury Park exactly a year ago when I hooked up with NJ Discover TV and some unknown universal energy dispatched me to Asbury and the rest is a personal history and words you’re reading now.

Asbury’s music past, present and future swirl around my soul; I know that Asbury Park will one day find itself as an international music presence and destination much like Memphis or Nashville. Asbury Park belongs on the global stage; so many of us who frequent the diverse, rich cultural heritage of this evolving city know this; the music is so good and plenty here.

At the beginning of last summer, I was walking down Cookman Avenue; the sun was setting surreally on a pastel blue house across the street. A young boy was standing in his backyard, with a guitar and an amp, playing incredibly well. He couldn’t have been more than twelve; I dream; maybe I found a way back to the future; it was Bruce Springsteen, no, Vini Lopez, no, Southside Johnny or Clarence Clemons or a hundred other angels who contributed to the rich history of this music town.

Tom Gilmour (director of Economic Development for Asbury Park) opened the press conference and introduced Susan Pellegrini  as the new Executive Director of Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation. “We were not ready to take the leap to open this yet for another year, but Sandy made us pick up the pace,” Susan said. They plan to have exhibitions, lectures, live broadcasts and to be that special international destination for people. She continued, “The focus is for us to be a connector for different aspects of music in Asbury Park.”  The inaugural exhibit will be a Light of Day retrospective tour with four photographer’s work.

Next Saturday (January 19^th) they’re showing a film ‘Asbury Park Musical Memories,’ with 1930’s through 1970’s dealing with what is was like to be in Asbury during that time. There’s a three year plan and the ultimate goal is to move to a 30,000 square foot “architecturally significant building, at the Crossroads on Lake Avenue.”

I like the notion that Asbury Park has a sister city in Italy, Casalgrande, giving it even more of an international flavor. The mayor of Casalgrande, Andrea Rossi was here in September and is coming back in May. Indeed the Asbury Park connections grow. So does the dream for global musical relevance and awareness.  John Cavanaugh, official photographer of the Stone Pony since 2000 and Light of Day since 1998 spoke about his contributions of photography and memorabilia on display which constitute phase one. The Heritage Foundation is looking for financial and materials donations and loans of art, photography and memorabilia.  More phase one activity includes an Asbury Park Musical Story Teller series where there are live performances as well. Soon Black History Month, Jazz month and a new artist’s series.

The hours are Friday 12-7  Saturday 12-8 (except 12-10pm during First Saturday events)  Sunday 12-6pm.

Of course during the summer they’ll expand to seven days.

And then Kimmee Masi, operator of Confections of a Rock Star, on Cookman Avenue  invited guests to a feast of cupcakes and confections. I grabbed (inconspicuously, I assumed) a chocolate cup cake.  She saw me. I exclaimed as I consumed in one festive satisfying bite, “wow, wow, wow.”  She said, “Only three wows?”  I brought one more “wow” to auditory channels.

I timed myself. I walked around gazing and reminiscing for 44.4 minutes. It was magic to be there. It was only the first day. Oh and the front door is only 44 feet away from the historic Upstage Club. I like that too.

Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation   708 Cookman Avenue Asbury Park   732-775-8900

http://asburyparkmusiclives.org/

Calvin Schwartz

Hurricane Sandy may have been strong but New Jersey proves it is stronger!

NJDiscover Team TaraJean Vitale and Calvin Schwartz attend local benefits organized by many to help raise funds for the devastated communities of the Jersey Shore.

Homes and businesses were hit with the power of Hurricane Sandy. Many lost much more than they could ever imagine. The response to help the victims has been enormous.

At the American Hotel in Freehold Synergy Event Planners Wendy and John Bruzzese along with the American Red Cross rallied their friends, colleagues and local business together to support a toy drive that would be “the biggest toy drive ever!”

In West Windsor the volunteer Fire Department and First Aid Units along with SandAid created a coffeehouse cabaret style benefit to help raise funds. Bands performed throughout the day while kindhearted strangers from all over the East Coast dropped off supplies for those suffering from the terrible storms after effects.

The overwhelming response has been emotional for volunteers. United and Jersey strong, the community is rebuilding thanks to the help of so many.

This is the first of a Series: Jersey Benefits for NJDiscover.com, and NJ Discover TV

Produced by TaraJean Vitale

Song: “Because I Love You” Written by Kevin John Allen, Performed by Brianna Eve

Garden State

Song is written and produced by Marc Ribler.

Video produced by NJDiscover

“We are selling the song for $1.29 and 100% of the profits will be going to worthy Shore Relief charities including www.SandyNjReliefFund.org. New Jersey and the surrounding area’s took the greatest beating that we have ever seen in our lifetime. So many folks are displaced. They need food, shelter, clothing and most of all your love and support.The boardwalks, bridges, homes and many many towns are ripped to shreds and they desperately need repair. This will take some time and we all must do our part.I will also be donating 50% of the profits from my first 2 Cd’s, This Life andLife is But A Dream.” – Marc Ribler

Please go to www.marcribler.com to PURCHASE “Garden State”
100% of the proceeds go to  www.sandynjrelieffund.org

http://marcribler.com/garden_state.php

NJDiscover’s FoodBank video shown at the Restore the Shore Concert Series on Thursday at the Strand Theater in Lakewood.
Proceeds from the concert went to the FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties.
For every $1 the FoodBank provides 3 meals.

In the United States:

• In New Jersey:In 2008, one in seven households (14.6%) in the US were food insecure – over 49 million people. This means they did not have access to enough food to meet their basic needs.¹
• This includes almost 17 million children.
• In 2005, nearly one in five US children lived in homes earning at or below the Federal poverty level (17.2%).²

• The US has the highest wage inequality, wealth disparity, poverty rate and child poverty rate of any industrialized nation.³

• The very high cost of living makes it difficult for low-income people to make ends meet. While the Federal poverty level for a family of four has become $20,650 in 2007, a recent study showed that such a family needs over $40,000 to meet its most basic needs in New Jersey.⁴
• Low wages and high cost of living forces one in every five households in New Jersey to struggle to live on an income below the Self-Sufficiency Standard, that is, inadequate to meet basic needs of food, shelter, clothing, health care, child care and transportation to work.⁵
• 85% of these households have at least one person working (non-elderly, non-disabled households).⁴
• 11.8% of children under 18 (over 1 million children) live below the Federal poverty line.²
• One out of every three people receiving emergency food are children.⁶

In Monmouth & Ocean Counties:

Asbury Angels Induction Ceremony: Asbury Park NJ Sunday September 23rd.  Calvin Schwartz (writer) Tara-Jean Vitale (video)

By Calvin Schwartz

Twenty minutes before the Asbury Angels ceremony. Shooting down Asbury Avenue for the 78^th time this year; that’s an approximation but probably close. I’ve developed a love affair to remember with Asbury Park and find myself there three or four times a week; hey, I’m a music, art, environmental and evolving cerebral journalist and Asbury has morphed into a renaissance/ re-birth. I’ve been saying for some time now in my writings that part of this dynamic is the celestial descending of particulates of molecular energy from the living and past musical history of this town; I’m saying that the world knows about Springsteen, Southside Johnny, Vini Lopez, and the vast array of current performers whose roots came from Asbury.

Yes, for me this energy  is absolutely palpable. Last summer I remember walking down Cookman Avenue and looking across the street at several houses. One had a pastel green back porch; a young teenage boy was playing a guitar and gyrating. I was certain he was pretending /dreaming ‘Springsteen.’  I thought to myself; it’s the sprinkled particle energy of the living legends. I also thought while heading down Asbury Avenue, adhering to the speed limit, passed an Italian restaurant and beautiful red brick church, that I was heading to an emotional poignant ceremony honoring particulate energy of Asbury music history of those who have passed on.

Iconic Tony Pallagrosi, so deeply involved in the musical and philanthropic composition of Asbury Park founded the Asbury Angels.  “The mission of the Asbury Angels is to honor and memorialize the lives and history of members of the Asbury Park musical community, including but not limited to, musicians, tech support persons, DJs, journalists, club owners, record company personnel, managers and promoters.”

NJ Discover’s team, Tara-Jean Vitale (editor, producer) and I quickly slammed car doors in front of the Stone Pony, and joined the hundreds assembling on the boardwalk for the induction of the 2012 class (first one) of the Asbury Angels. Jackie Pappas from the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce introduced Tony Pallagrosi who read brief biographies of the inductees. Families and friends applauded each reading; the ocean glistened in the background; the sky was perfectly blue and the weather Gods cooperated. The night before, Pallagrosi hinted, Springsteen’s concert at Met Life stadium was rain delayed until 10:30pm.

I listened to every word of each bio. These were legends and icons that did so much for Asbury music. I kept thinking in the midst of the throngs consuming the whole width of the boardwalk, that someday these Angels would’ve contributed to making Asbury Park one of the world’s music destinations. I want to think everyone thought like me. After all, look at the depth, range and impact of these Angels. Its two days later as I write this. I’m still intestinally queasy. I was so moved being there.

As each name was read, a plaque on a boardwalk bench was unveiled with the bio of the Angel.  Huge scissors were summoned to cut the yellow ribbon to share the memorial for the ages. It was Asbury Park’s walk of fame.  The 2012 Asbury Angels are: Arthur Willard Pryor, Bobby Alfano, Larry ‘Bozo’ Blasco, Bill Chinnock, Clarence Clemons, Danny Federici, John Luraschi, Joe Arthur Major, Arthur Morris, Tom and Margaret Potter, and Moe Septee.  When the ceremony was over, I watched people hugging and shaking hands, photographers capturing plaques, old friends seeing one another after decades, smiles and bittersweet  teary eyes; a panoply of emotions.  I did my joyous deep inhalation/exhalation. “Hey Mah, look where I am,” and thought ten thousand people should’ve been here to experience this. (Or more)

You can find the biographies and information on the Asbury Angels here:

http://asburyangels.com/default/index/

If you let too much time go by and you happen to be living in an evolving blur of change, then it becomes difficult to remember first and even succeeding times. But it’s not too late for me to remember first hearing Arlan Feiles sing in Asbury Park; it was seven months ago; the mild winter was submitting to spring. I went to Asbury Park’s iconic ‘Saint’ and heard him for the first time. Afterwards, I needed more Arlan sounds; the experience was like an ice cream bar; it was so good, I finished several ice cream bars in rapid succession and buried consumed wooden stick evidence until I passed a proper receptacle, preferably in Asbury Park where I heard Arlan sing again; this time with several singers in a concert called ‘Art of the Protest Song,’ at Gallery 629 on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park.

Protest songs were a perfect magnet for me since coming out of the sixties and still wondrously tethered to those changed times. And what could be more perfect than to find Arlan Feiles, a troubadour, lyricist, rarified individualist, passionate singer and commentator of our modern times. How I love magic carpets back to the future. How I love listening to Arlan’s musical emoting and watching his facial visages express depth and conviction. How I love words like essential and quintessential. So on that night in an art gallery briefly converted to a small concert venue, I became a fan of Arlan Feiles.

No long winding roads here; just a sleepy small Monmouth county highway that connected our domiciles. As an emerging journalist, I asked if we could talk about the world of his music and words. We began on his living room sofa and then walked down a main street passed a coffee shop and into an old fashioned park with swings and splintery wooden benches. Oh, it was mid-June, sunny and warm.

Arlan is a LA Laker fan; he proudly stated on the park bench. “A long distance rooting for a team. You must be from LA?” I was right. And during his musical journey from Pacific to Atlantic (coasts that is) he’s shared the stage with a plethora of musical icons; Richie Havens, Dave Matthews, Bob Pollard, Joan Baez, Warren Zevon, Hot Tuna and more. I simply said, “Wow.”

He spent a long time in Florida and found huge success with the rock band, ‘Natural Causes.’ I got up from the park bench and walked over to the swings. “Do I dare try the swing out?” He laughed. Then another “wow” from me: In Florida, Arlan became friends with iconic legendary producer Tom Dowd who passed in 2002  and was inducted into the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Dowd mentored Arlan and ‘Natural Causes’ and they recorded two albums garnering much acclaim. Arlan reminded me of the amazing accomplishments of his mentor Dowd who recorded albums by Clapton, Chicago, The Rascals, Meat Loaf, Sonny and Cher and Diana Ross, The Eagles and more. I said, “Wow,” yet again.

“Let’s head back to the house,” Arlan said. Fittingly, while we walked in a hot sun, Arlan told me about next hitting the road for six months, discovering intimate America in clubs and coffee houses. Comparisons to Woody Guthrie (whom I call the first real American troubadour musician) crossed my mind. Arlan slept in his van sometimes and once played 88 shows in 90 days. I kept thinking a purist, iconic, sensitive, depth charged singer and lyricist is walking ½ step behind me (I have long legs). To arrive where he is now (this very day), so much has gone into Arlan’s cerebral process which makes for extraordinary music and thought. At a long red light on a busy two lane highway, I told Arlan, he’s like a Hemingway of lyricists. Hemingway wrote after living things first; experiencing life and feeling humanity. So has Arlan who even paid for his cross country adventure by selling CDs out of the back of his van. And Hemingway drove an ambulance in Italy during World War I. “Same thing,” I wondered.

As we approached the house, I saw a basketball backboard in the backyard. “Do you shoot hoops,” I said.  “What’s your game,” he asked. So for 77 minutes Arlan and I shot hoops then played ‘around the world’ so I didn’t have to stress my 25 year older knees playing one on one. How many journalists shoot hoops until dripping wet in a hot sun during the interview process? Back inside, we ventured into the special world of Arlan’s recording studio; a quiet, eclectic and spiritually warm place of limitless creativity. I felt it.

Bringing me up to date, Arlan mentioned returning from his sojourn and finding Williamsburg, Brooklyn and forming the band, ‘Gift Horse,’ which had a hit “I’ve Got to Tell Ya;’ it was on the soundtrack of Ed Burns’ ‘Sidewalks of New York.”  I said, “Wow,” yet again. (The groupie in me causes excessive ‘wows.’) After moving to New Jersey, Arlan recorded two solo albums garnering many honors including ‘Top Americana Artist’ at the Asbury Music Awards in 2007.

Back upstairs we talked about his just released album (the reason why I’ve travelled down a straight highway to talk and shoot hoops with Arlan), “Weeds Kill the Wild Flowers,” recorded with his group, ‘The Broken Hearted.’  As of this writing (August 29^th), I’ve listened to the CD a dozen times; his melodious voice easing me into recognition of similarity with historical musical artists which Arlan conjures up. His perfectionism will take Arlan on that ultimate journey of universal acclaim. I’m a writer and thrive on his passionate words.  I’ve seen him perform often now and watch intently as his face changes with emotion; a consummate troubadour and sociologist.

I mention sociologist; one of Arlan’s most passionate songs on the new CD is called ‘Viola.’ I’m a product of the sixties; the deaths of the three civil rights workers (Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, Michael Schwerner) in Mississippi in 1964 changed my life forever. Arlan’s deep roots/feelings into social conscience and commentary led to his awareness of the life and death of Viola Liuzzo; keen particulates of energy swirled into one of his most moving songs.

As the sweat from our basketball confrontation vaporized in his kitchen, Arlan told me about the life of Viola Liuzzo, a housewife in Michigan who was horrified by the violence in Selma, Alabama and decided to go there herself because the struggle for civil rights was everybody’s. Four Klansmen killed her while she was driving local marchers in March 1965. I never knew about her. So now I do thanks to Arlan’s magic. And there’s reverberation as I write this piece; Arlan’s words; Viola’s family; daughters grown up.  I have to share a few lines from this haunting amazing song.

“Hold tight we’re gonna fight, yes I told ya’

Stand tall stand upright you’re a soldier

We’re gonna take this head on shoulder to shoulder

I hope you’re with me Viola”

Words link me to Hemingway’s spirit. I need to live and experience before I can write. I told that to Arlan. Our day together was, as the credit card commercial goes, priceless. Another favorite song from “Weeds Kill the Wild Flowers” is ‘Katie Truly.’

“I’ve been working hard for minimum wages

And I’ve been writing down pages and pages of empty

Since you left me

My car broke down on Pulaski Skyway

This old town she just ain’t going my way this season.”

I’m a spiritual universal kind of guy; always looking for essence and commonality. When I heard this verse for the first time, I yelled, “Oh Wow!”  You see, back in 1965, the year Viola Liuzzo died, my car broke down on the Pulaski Skyway.  We shook hands and said goodbye. Interview over. A sleepy highway back home.

It was a great day with Arlan Feiles for me the interviewer for NJ Discover. When you least expect it, you bond and find commonality in this crazy mixed up world. A few weeks later, Arlan and I were at St. Rose High School in Belmar for the Jersey Shore Basketball League; a college league with mostly offence (spectators we were). Maybe in a few days we’ll do round two of ‘around the world’ hoops; this time at my home court. But in the great cosmic design of things, I found this amazing lyricist, singer and keyboardist. My job is to promulgate, share and move readers to expand horizons. Arlan Feiles is a horizon; easily attainable by checking out websites and procuring his music. Yes, “Weeds Kill the Wild Flowers” is a powerful resounding, “Wow!”

A great video on Arlan Feiles and The Broken Hearted and album release:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TGtZRPBrks&feature=share

To find more information about Arlan and the CD:

http://www.arlanfeiles.com

There’s a recurring theme to my words and explorations this past year. “I love Asbury Park.”  Sometimes I feel like Winston Zeddemore, the character from ‘Ghostbusters’ when he proclaims at the end of the movie, “I love this city.” I do. But it’s Asbury Park. I’ve been saying for a long time as well that I keep feeling a magic dust constantly descending upon this New Jersey seaside city. Part of the dust is definitely a Bruce Springsteen affectation; pure magic and inspirational. You can feel it everywhere. Good old palpable dust that moves you to creativity and dreams. If you want a piece of it, to experience it, then come to Asbury Park.

Asbury Park is becoming that iconic cultural hub for music, art, theater, food and walks on boards. I suppose there’s nothing quite like salt air, inhaled deeply to sweep you back to seeing news reports of President Eisenhower playing golf or Good Humor ice cream trucks pushing Chocolate Éclair bars; obviously my favorite; toasted Almond in second place.  Part of the allure of diversity of culture in Asbury Park is Dr Sketchy Anti-Art School. I think it’s time to tell the deal with Dr. Sketchy and why I have so much fun attending (as a journalist).

Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School is both a burlesque cabaret and life drawing event originating in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and was founded in New York City in 2005, by illustrator and former artist’s model Molly Crabapple and illustrator A.V. Phibes. They’ve grown globally with branches all over.  As of a few years ago, Dr. Sketchy’s branches exist in 100 cities around the world. Branches vary in their conservatism and the skill of their artists. Asbury Park’s Dr Sketchy brings in eclectic, beautiful, charming, and fun models. I’ve been to several events which are always themed. Several months ago it was ‘vampires.’ The other evening was ‘horror.’ Sociologically speaking it’s quite an event; artists sketching and photographers capturing.

Asbury Park’s Asbury Lanes has hosted several Dr. Sketchy events. For a small cover charge you’ve got up to four hours of sketching models and themes. Poses range up to five minutes and sometimes you feel as if you’re on a movie set. Props and music put you in the themed mood; sometimes the models even act as impromptu judges for a captured particular sketch. Tim, the franchisee has been particularly gracious and helpful in keeping me in the information loop.

Back to Asbury Lanes; as one donut chain advertises; it’s definitely worth the trip to set a bowling foot back in time to bygone days of the Lone Ranger, Pac Man, Photo Booths, Art Deco paintings and posters garnishing the walls and a bar that reminds me of Jack Torrance and red-rum and Stephen King.  Even the water fountain belongs  in a hip-hop museum. Everything about Dr Sketchy Asbury Park is in good taste and fun. The models are professional, outgoing, and intelligent and yes, beautiful. Usually a professional photographer takes part of the bar area and recreates scenes and themes with the models.  I could learn to be a photographer if I keep hanging around.

A summer Sunday night and a 40 minute drive from Western Monmouth County into what could very well be the exact geographical epi-center of New Jersey. I was in a heightened state of anticipation; about to witness my first live radio broadcast. Heading down Route 130 South, with time to ponder, I likened my experience to a kid heading to those amusement places in Orlando for the first time. Excitation (from a Beach Boys song) was because I heard so much about Danny Coleman.

Armed with my NJ Discover TV camera (I was doubling-up responsibilities as a reporter and film maker) I continued to navigate lonely dark country roads and eventually arrived at the vast complex which housed the radio station WIFI AM 1460. Danny’s show, Rock On! Radio, runs live on Sunday nights from 10pm to 11:30pm and our arrival time at the station was perfectly synched; we pulled up in the parking lot at the same time. Our first live meeting; Danny was wearing a Phillies tee-shirt and I had on my Rutgers cap; therefore no sporting interest conflicts which insured our extreme bonding patterns. Danny’s personality radiated; it was instant “like.” You could tell right away why he’s such an amazing radio personality and DJ.

Art, the station’s seasoned engineer, arrived as I was gathering tri and mono-pods and camera bag. Then Ryche Chlanda, special musical guest also pulled-up. Ryche has a ‘rich’ storied musical career going back to Fireballet when he was a member of America’s first progressive rock band. Soon Terry Loda, nephew and co-host and station photographer Joe Powell completed what I’d like to call a magical broadcast quintet.

Danny Coleman is a drummer and percussion player with a long involvement (37 years) in the New Jersey music scene. Graduating from broadcast school in Trenton, he combined his love of music with the desire to be a radio broadcaster. There was also the notion of helping unsigned original/indie artists which moved Danny back then to approach this young radio station.

“I remember being a teenager and the thrill of unexpectedly hearing my band on the radio as I stood at a church carnival,” says Coleman. “I wanted to give that same feeling to artists who are trying to get their music heard. My goal is to help these songwriters and bands gain some exposure.”  So began “Rock On! Radio,” simulcast on line at www.wifiam1460.com as well as fifteen other on line affiliates.

The program features one artist each week with surprise guests as well. Danny told me in the past that John Oates, Graham Parker, Michael Tearson, Benny Mardones as well as Peter Gabriel band mate Larry Fast have all called and shared stories from the road. This night was special for the quintet and Danny of course and me; it was the 150^th episode of the show. Danny fields phone calls, monitors several of the affiliates chat rooms, Facebook and email; Coleman is wondrously hands on; that’s why his show is booked months in advance.

I marveled the entire time at Coleman’s style, grace, affable endearing charming engaging manner; one of those pinch your arms sessions; look where I was and with whom; an incredible radio broadcaster. He called me to the microphone to explain what I’d eventually do with the footage and my experience. Danny is so good; he put normally shy Calvin at ease and I spoke fluently and seamlessly to his live audience in Burlington, Bucks Counties and Philadelphia.

Near the show’s end, Ryche sang live, powerfully and emotionally. Then the quintet, led by Danny, shouted, “Rock on Radio,” on air (me too) and he signed off. Esprit de corps took the quintet into a small equipment room for a group shot. This was purist unbridled fun. And I realized that it was also purist unbridled Danny Coleman.

“Rock On! Radio” exists because of the continuous support of its listeners and the fantastic artists who grace the studio. To contact Danny or to schedule an appearance or be a sponsor of the program contact:   Rockonradio1460@hotmail.com