By Danny Coleman
originally published: 03/02/2017
"Expect the unexpected," she said with a slight laugh. "Yeah that sums it up. I've never done a show like this; expect to be given something that's new, old, wide awake. There will be my songs, cover songs that have special meaning to me, Heart songs and more; it's definitely a production," says legendary siren Ann Wilson as she discussed her new EP and upcoming tour.
Officially named, "The Ann Wilson of Heart Tour," because she feels that it gives her a, "Point of recognition," Wilson modestly suggests that she may have an "Identity crisis" of sorts, in part due to her already successful Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame music career. "Well, I'm very optimistic that people know who I am," she said with a laugh. "Most people know me from Heart, they know the two sisters but around the country, there may be people who don't know who I am. I'm always associated with Heart and now out on my own, this gives the people a chance to find out a bit about me and I also can't take that recognition for granted."
Part of what is undoubtedly one of, if not the most successful sister acts in rock music history, Wilson is no stranger to going it on her own as previous endeavors indicate. 2007 saw the release of her first solo album, "Hope & Glory," which featured such rock luminaries as Elton John, k.d. lang, Alison Krauss, Gretchen Wilson, Wynonna Judd and more. Finding success with this effort, she then released two EPs under the moniker, "The Ann Wilson Thing." The first, 2015's, "The Ann Wilson Thing-#1," was followed by the most recent, 2016's, "Focus." "I'd rather do four or five good songs than 14 mediocre ones," she stated softly. "People just don't buy albums anymore and they have no attention spans. There are not many artists who are deathless today and by that I mean making music that will be around forever. I don't know whether it's the artist or the people but things are not how they once were."
Wilson says that her side projects have been well received by the critics and that there is rarely any comparison to Heart, something that suits her perfectly fine. "No, I don't find that they compare me to Heart or anyone else for that matter. The critics have separated the two and I've gotten some reviews that Heart hardly ever gets. It's kind of nice in a way, freeing even. I get to make music and because it's new the press has nothing to go by, I have no skeletons so to speak. Geez, Heart has been around forty years; ya' know? There's a lot to go by there so when I go out on my own it's kind of like Heart without the baggage (Laughs)."
Her current band line up features familiar faces such as one time Heart drummer Denny Fongheiser, long time Heart guitarist Craig Bartock and The Ann Wilson Thing bassist Andy Stoller. When asked if she ever felt exposed, more particularly, "Naked" on stage since she is now the primary focus and her sister and Heart band mates are not with her; Wilson responded with a laugh and an interesting perspective, "Naked yes but in a really beautiful way. I'm at my best on stage, it's where I communicate easily through my songs and I get to stretch it out as a singer. My band is great, we're all friends and they have a vested interest in my success, they've got skin in the game so to speak and I know they've got my back."
Looking back on her career, Ann once again has a great perspective but it's two moments which seem to stand out a bit more than others. "Being inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of fame was surreal, just really surreal. When you work so hard at something and you're always working to create and maintain and to live up to certain expectations and suddenly your awarded this honor, an honor which is really from your peers and the industry; you feel like queen for a day but then the next day it's right back to work. Now the Kennedy Center Honors was just, I've got to say it was completely sublime," she explained, seemingly in awe of the entire event. "We started by going to the White House the day of the show and then the evening was just perfect, it was one of those times when everything went just right. The band, the choir, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones in the balcony and to perform that song for them and have it be flawless; it was just sublime and an incredible experience. When we were done, we got to sit at a table with Led Zeppelin and Kid Rock during dinner; it just kept getting better."
So now she's back on the road as the current tour kicks off on March 8 in the Wilson home town of Seattle, WA at the Moore Theatre, followed by dates in California, Colorado, Kansas and Louisiana before turning eastward starting in North and South Carolina.
March 25 sees this 20 shows in 31 days tour pull into New Jersey with the first of two Garden State appearances; this one at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown. The next is April 4 in Englewood at the Bergen Performing Arts Center which is followed by an April 6 stop in suburban Philadelphia at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA.
Currently, this iconic singer is planning to expand the tour and her solo career along with it and then has her eyes on the prize; a well deserved vacation. "I' want to continue to tour in 2017, ideally I'd like to do 80 shows this year. I'm also putting out a third EP by late summer and then my husband and I are going to travel," she stated with a relieved laugh. "We're going to go to India and possibly more countries, it's what we enjoy and I always take something away from those trips be it musical, spiritual or whatever it is; so I'm looking forward to that."
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Carousel Kings,Abandoned By Bears, Bad case Of Big Mouth, Beyond The Void, Reaper's Solace, Penthouse Suite, Futures. All ages, $12
Sat. Sinking Monroe, Bury Your Brother, Scripted Chaos, MonitoR, Prevailer, Noravilla. All ages, $10
Sun. 4 p.m. "In Memory Of Jake Heaton" feat. Badluck 13 Riot Extravaganza, Cemeteries, Vigilante, On Patrol, Gloves Off, No Nothing. All ages, $10
Bill's Olde Tavern2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
Ages 21+
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Michelle Wiley Duo
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. David Dales Trio
Sun. 12 p.m. Ottmar
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Fermenters Trio
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Josh Lee (sax) Quartet. $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
COARadio.com Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Check web page for programming
Dadz Bar & Grill744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. Billy Walton Band
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Curbie Ciamarra
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Superstar Entertainment
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Dane Rosenfeld
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour" feat. David Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Lenny G & The Soulsenders
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. David Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Kevin Toft & The Alternators
Sun. (11 a.m.)"Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton (4 p.m.) Gypsy Mother
Wed. 8 p.m. Mark Macmanus
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Grover's Mill Coffee HousePrinceton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 7 p.m. Fundraising event for St. Baldricks. (8:30 p.m.) Bigg Romeo
Sat. 8:30 p.m. LeCompt w/ Horns
Sun. 2 p.m. Midnight Sun Orchestra
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 8 p.m. Jerry Lee Watkins
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Series" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn15 East Braod Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic.
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Ambiance The Duo
Fri. 6 p.m. Christina havrilla
Sat. 6 p.m. David Adolf Quartet
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Four + 1
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill7759 New falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Fri. 9 p.m. Mistify
Sat. 9 p.m. Samstorm
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Gregg Parker
Sat. 2 p.m. Ed Wilson
Sun. 2 p.m. Spoondrift
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
Sat. 9 p.m. Scrumper Joe "Reunion Gig"
Tues. 7 p.m. Teddy Z Memorial Jam "Spring Into Action"
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Fri. 7 p.m. Country Line Dancing
Sat. 1 p.m. Chris Roselle
Sun. (10 a.m.) Sunday Brunch (1 p.m.) The Half Brothers
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Sat. 9 p.m. Thulsa Doom, Search, FYPM, Entropy, Speed Queen. $10
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
New Hope Winery6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Sat. 8 p.m. Mary Fahl. Doors at 7 p.m., $35/$45 (VIP)
Nook's PourHouse2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
PANJ RadioBridge Street Lambertville
(609) 460-4673
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Kenny Dubman
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Out Of The Red
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Deep Release
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check Web Site for Upcoming Events
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Daniel Johnson & Craig Ebner
South Rio120 South Warren Street Trenton
(609) 943-2123
Thurs. 7 p.m. "All You Can eat Crabs." Music, Drink Specials, Sports on TV
Tues. "$2 Tuesday"
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 8 p.m. Theater To Go "Lawn Ornaments." $12
Sat. 7 p.m. Bill O'Neal and Andrew Koontz. $20
Sun. 3:30 p.m. Meditation "Blossoming Into The Life" w/ Tijen Genco and Gloria Galante. $25
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Sat. 10 p.m. 44 Fridays
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Sleeping Dogs Lie
Sat. 9 p.m. Quartet Of Catastrophe
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
Temperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Fri. 7 p.m. Steve Guyger
Wed. 7 p.m. Live Jazz w/ John Sheridan & Friends
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. 80's Undercover
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. John & Maggs
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Sat. 10 p.m. Seth Tieger Band
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Pines Tavern6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic Night
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Take 5 Band
Sat. 9 p.m. Sideways Willy
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. The Suspects
Sat. 9 p.m. Off The Record
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Sat. (12 p.m.) Diarmuid MacSuibhne (9 p.m.) Jet Weston & The Atomic Ranch Hands
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Kathy DeAngelo & Diarmuid MacSuibhne
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday (7 p.m.) "Shades of a Woman" by Vinita Mathur
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. The Yeah Tones. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Suburban Living & Former Belle. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton, NJ Location)
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 10 p.m. Diesel Wagon
Sat. 10 p.m. The wood Vibrations
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Ages 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
