New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: “Without a Fight” by Dave Vargo


By Bob Makin

originally published: 01/03/2025

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Dave Vargo’s “Without a Fight,” which is featured in episode six of season six of Netflix’s hit show “Virgin River,” pictured. PHOTO COURTESY NETFLIX

They say what goes around comes around, and for Dave Vargo, that means generosity and compassion lead to success and exposure.

The Jersey Shore singer-songwriter recently placed another song on television. In episode six of the recently aired season six of Netflix’s hit series “Virgin River,” Dave’s song “Without a Fight” is featured during a scene in main character Jake’s bar. To celebrate, the Jackson Browne-like tune from Dave’s 2019 LP, “Spaces in Between,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Without a Fight” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Jan 3 on “Radio Jersey at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.

“The placement agency that I use reached out to me eight months or so ago and told me that the show was possibly interested in using my song,” Dave said. “They had me send them some additional mixes of the song, and then I didn't hear anything from them. When I read couple of weeks ago that the new season was being released, I assumed that they weren't using my song, So, when I received the call with the news, I was surprised and very excited.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



“The idea of the song came while I was on vacation and watching the World Series in 2018,” Dave continued. “When I watch TV at home, I fast forward through the commercials. Being away, I got stuck watching all of the nasty, divisive political junk that I try to avoid. After a few nights of that, the lyrics for the song came out pretty quickly.”

The song features Makin Waves Award-wining Best Bassist Dan Haas, as well as drummer Tim Pannella and backing vocalist Audra Mariel.

No stranger to TV, Dave’s song “Don’t Think Twice” from his 2016 debut LP, “Burning Through,” was featured on Peacock’s “The Dan Patrick Show” a few times. He’s also been included in a cable reality show.

The Makin Waves 2022 Songwriter of the Year winner is working on his fourth album, which will be preceded by singles throughout the first quarter of the new year.

Enjoy Dave live during the Light of Day Winterfest kickoff show on Jan. 16 at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. He’ll also play guitar for Genevieve for the charitable fest’s Women of Song show on Jan. 18 at The R Bar.

For more about Dave, visit https://davevargomusic.com.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at makinwaves64@yahoo.com.



New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.



Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


WP

WP Distinguished Lecturer Series presents An Evening with Terry Gross, Host of National Public Radio’s Fresh Air

Thursday, March 13, 2025 @ 7:30pm
William Paterson University - Shea Center for Performing Arts
300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470
category: music


 

The

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Friday, March 14, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: music


 

Ji

Ji In Yang, Violinist

Friday, March 14, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Ocean County College, Gateway Lecture Hall (Building 101)
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: music


 

Moondance

Moondance - Van Morrison Tribute

Friday, March 14, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Mandy

Mandy Patinkin: Being Alive with Adam Ben-David on Piano

Friday, March 14, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

The

The Newton Theatre presents Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel will perform at The Newton Theatre on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 8:00pm. Duane Betts ignites and brings an evolution to the Southern rock tradition.



Gateway

Gateway Playhouse Jazzes Things Up with South Jersey Jazz Society and "Some Enchanted Evening"

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point is launching a new partnership with the South Jersey Jazz Society (SJJS). The exciting collaboration will kick off Saturday, April 19, 2025 when Emmy®-nominated trumpeter Benny Benack III and Broadway's Khailah Johnson blend Jazz's biggest hits with Broadway’s hottest tunes in "Some Enchanted Evening.



The

The Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra to Feature Select Students in Campus Performance on March 25th

(WAYNE, NJ) -- The Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra (RSO), ensemble-in-residence at William Paterson University in Wayne, will shine the spotlight on talented William Paterson music students during its spring concert on campus on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in the Shea Center for the Performing Arts. The concert begins at 7:30pm.



West

West Windsor Arts presents Visions Vol.1 by Sofijazz

(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- West Windsor Arts presents Visions Vol.1 by Sofijazz on featuring Sofija Knezevic on Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. The show is perfect for lovers of jazz and vocal music.



bergenPAC

bergenPAC presents Ben Folds & A Piano Tour

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Ben Folds & A Piano Tour on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 8:00pm. Ben Folds is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of our generation. The Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter-composer has created an enormous body of genre-bending music that includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records.