They come from all walks of life and music genres but the most important thing is; they've come together to form a Blues band that is original, solid and different from the rest and what makes them so unique is a combination of experience and backgrounds.
Kelton Cooper, Mike Griot, Gene Lake and Ron Thompson form the North Jersey based unit known as Blues People and they've got a show coming up on Sunday December 22 at Montclair Brewery in Montclair, NJ and then in the beginning of January they head to Memphis, TN for chance at winning the International Blues Challenge.
Recently, bassist Griot talked about the IBC, the Montclair gig, the band's formation, their "Experience" and how they are viewed by their peers in the industry.
"So, we came together right before the pandemic," he began. "We all had been working as basically hired guns in the New York area for decades and we've all done gigs and tours together, different projects, different genres and before the pandemic, I owned a live music club in Orange, New Jersey. Kelton, who I grew up with in Orange, he kind of moonlighted as my sound man at my live music venue while we were all still gigging and everything else. Gene Lake, our drummer, came to Kelton and suggested we should put together a blues outfit because he had recently done some work with Josh Smith and a couple of other people. So, they came to me and then the pandemic hit and there was nothing to do but write and record and that's how it started. The first time we played our own recorded material was not until a year into the pandemic."
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
"Kelton has had a relationship with Kool & The Gang, totaling about 16 years; doing a lot of recording with their producer and a few gigs as well," he continued. "We're all from the same part of New Jersey so everybody kind of knows everybody. I actually went to D.C. for a while because my family is from the D.C. area; even though I grew up in New Jersey. I went to college in D.C. and while I was at Howard University, I got my first pro tour; it wasan R&B tour with a girl named Stacy Lattisaw and that was like a thousand years ago (laughs). I didn't get a proper blues tour until later on in the early '90s; I think Deborah Coleman was my first blues tour and I also started around the same time with Michael Hill Blues Mob and then I was "In it" by that point. Michael Hill and drummer Tony Lewis are basically how I learned my vocabulary of music and Michael was actually the one who got me connected with Ruf Records and Thomas Ruf. I was there when Thomas started the whole Blues Caravan concept. I was actually the music director for the first three or four Blues Caravans, which is how I came to be around and play with and behind, Laura Chavez, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Sue Foley; I even produced a couple of albums for Ruf on Dani Wilde and Oli Brown. Gene Lake is a massive, massive talent; I was always jealous of people whose families were in the music business and grew up doing it because I wasn't so fortunate (Laughs). Gene's father is the great jazz saxophonist Oliver Lake, so Gene grew up playing music and he also plays killer bass too and many people don't know that. His resume is really long, Marcus Miller, Meshell Ndegeocello, George Thorogood; it just goes on and on and he even did some Broadway. He played in "MJ the Musical" on Broadway. That's kind of the secret sauce of the group; we have this profound love of the blues and blues music but we're sort of vets; we bring all that other stuff we've done over 30 or 40 years with us and you can definitely see it on stage."
Just like a puzzle, there always seems to be that one piece that fits just well enough to open up the entire path to completion and in Blues People's case, one gentleman held the key; make that "Keys."
"I would say, in my opinion, that the group really came together when Ron Thompson came onboard," said Griot with confidence. "A guy named Victor Burks was doing some of the recording and a couple of gigs early on but when Ron came onboard, our sound really came together. He was a teacher for a long time and he also worked with Bo Diddley Jr. and a lot of freelance gigging in New York and when he stopped teaching and retired; we happened to get lucky enough to catch him in that transition and man, I think the Blues people sound was basically sealed when Ron came on board."
When one goes to see Blues People, it's important to understand; this isn't just some run of the mill event. Their combination of originals and select covers are done with the intent to broaden not only the audience's experience but their own as well.
"This is where I'm going to speak for my brother Kelton," he laughed. "He has been a genius with this band in sort of awakening our roots in music. For example, I came up really into Bobby Blue Bland when I was a kid because my father was into Bobby Blue Bland and Kelton is like a musicologist. When you come to one of our shows for example, you'll hear our originals but you'll also hear basically "B" side blues records that come out of Kelton's head that he was listening to growing up. So, it's like Kelton opened up the musical dunk tank of the blues and kind of pushed us all back into it again (Laughs) and it has transformed what we sound like because if you come to one of our shows; you're not gonna hear "Mustang Sally" because that's not what we're doing. We do deep dive into some "B" sides and I think we put our own spin on them and Kelton will tell you; he can't sing anything he doesn't believe in. So, he really curates the selections very well and I would implore anybody; we can talk about the music all day; come out and see us play, the blues will be everywhere and that's a fact."
In the interest of "Full disclosure," Blues People are about to embark on their second trip to the International Blues Challenge and Griot feels the experiene of advancing very far in last year's competition gives them much better insight into this year's competition.
"We made it to the semi-finals which I hear is a pretty good attempt. The IBC, for those who have done it or for those who are thinking about doing it; you don't really know what you're walking into until you get there and then you kind of see what it is. I don't think anybody really expected a band from New Jersey or one from north of the Mason-Dixon Line to sound the way we do. We got a lot of great feedback and it was a really good experience. We didn't have our record out at the time, which I think now is going to be a huge difference because now, it's a year later, we won the regional IBC again, we've had a strong record out for most of this year, we've got great reviews from around the world, we've got some chart action as well and we have a year of playing our own material for audiences; we're road ready and sharp."
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
"Blues People The Skin I'm In"was nominated as the "Best New Artist Debut Album" at The Blues Blast 2024 Music Awards and has done well on the charts. So, with all of the band's vast individual experience and contacts in the industry; does that open doors for the band that others may not have access to?
"I don't know," said Mike, seemingly choosing his word carefully. "I think it helps to be known as a player from a certain area or region or scene; it's not like we are unknown on our respective instruments but I think, specific to this blues journey that we're involved in; I don't know if it has necessarily helped or hurt but I do know that there seems to be; I guess the reviews that we've gotten on the record suggest it too, there seems to be an authenticity to the stories we tell and of course, Blues is about storytelling but our stories seem to resonate here and around the world and the Blues audiences around the world are digging it. So, the only connections besides getting more people to book us, which is really important for us right now; the people; it's like the scene from that movie where the guy says, "The people know," The people know (Laughs) and we're happy about that."
Being veterans of the music scene does have its advantages and within their circle of "Contemporaries" they seem to have the approval of them and many more.
"One of the funniest reactions has been amongst the New York Metro pro musicians, touring and otherwise because in most cases, we're talking about our contemporaries who are in their 50s, 60s, guys who've been doing it 20,30,40 years and everybody has worked with everybody but that crew looks at us with almost subtle disbelief. Usually, the response to original material or being an original band is associated with young players, people and professionals and here we are, age 58 and up and all of the dudes we worked with in the New York scene, they are really kind of encouraging. They're like, "Man, you guys are really doing your thing and we're glad it's original and we're glad it's Blues" and that's been the most surprising thing. Our colleagues up here who are kind of silently supportive of the idea that some veterans can still make original music and possibly break-out ; I'm excited by that."
The Montclair Brewery is located at 101 Walnut Street and the show on Decemeber 22 is a 4:30 p.m. start with tickets available here https://www.northjerseybluessociety.org/event-details/blues-people-3 and after that comes the IBC and after that...
"The IBC is January 7 to January 11, we just played Triumph Brewery in Red Bank and Sunday we are at The Montclair Brewery but we are planning to get back in the studio in March of 2025 to start working on the next record and if things go the way we hope they go, we really want to play some major festivals here and abroad during festival season in '25. The IBC is a great place to see some of those who book those festivals and I've already been in touch with a few in advance who say they are coming. So, we're on a lot of people's radar for the '25 touring and festival season so I hope to be visiting them."
To discover more about Blues People, please visit https://bluespeoplenj.com/blues-people
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
Ace Cafe 15 Market Place New Hope, PA Thurs. 6 p.m. Biker Night Sat. (2 p.m.) European Bikes Cruis-In (6 p.m.) Christmas Tunes NightAl's Airport Inn 636 Bear Tavern Road West Trenton (609) 883-5252 Thurs. 5 p.m. Marc Hoffman Sat. (12 p.m.) Acoustic Brunch w/ Joe Hutchinson (5 p.m.) Redbird Mon. 5 p.m. Rick Winow Tues. 5 p.m. (TBD)Aristaeus Brewing 2475C Big Oak Road Langhorne, PA (215) 757-2337 Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia Arts Council of Princeton 102 Witherspoon Street Princeton (609) 924-8777 Thurs. (5 p.m.) Gallery Opening: Annual Member Show (7 p.m.) Story & Verse: A Storytelling, Poetic and Spoken Word Open Mic Sat. 7 p.m. Cafe` Improv. $2 Wed. 7 p.m. JAM: Jersey Art Meet-UpAshlynn Distillery 32 West Bridge Street Morrisville, PA Thurs. 6 p.m. Cecil & Carl Fri. 7 p.m. Peggy Kellar Sat. 7 p.m. Mike Goldman Sun. 3 p.m. Cecil & TroyBent Iron Brewing 70 Extonville Road Hamilton Fri. 4 p.m. Holiday Hoagies and Brews Sat. 12 p.m. "Santa-Palooza" feat. (5 p.m.) LakeHouseBill's Olde Tavern 2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton (609) 586-0192 Sun. 7 p.m. BINGO Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia Tues. 8 p.m. / Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Ages 21+Bit-hin' Kitten Brewery 58-B East Bridge Street Morrisville, PA (267) 799-5348 Fri. 4 p.m. Happy Hour Sat. 12 p.m. Pet Photos w/ Santa Wed. 7 p.m. QuizzoBordentown City Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown Fri. 7 p.m. "Frightening Fridays!" Haunted History Tours. $20 Sat. 12 p.m. Bordentown Walking Tours. $20 feat. (8 p.m.) 2024 Holiday Lights & Architecture Tour (Leaves from corners of Farnsworth Ave. and Crosswicks St.)Bowman's Tavern 1600 River Road New Hope, PA (215) 862-2972 Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Dave Dales Trio Fri. (5:30 p.m.) Bennett Lee (8 p.m.) Bob Egan Sat. 7 p.m. Dave Dales Trio Sun. (12 p.m.) Bill Avayou Trio (6 p.m.) Lorenzo Tues. 7:30 p.m. Bob EganBroken Goblet Brewing 2500 State Road Bensalem, PA (267) 812-5653 Thurs. (7 p.m.) The Slackers / The Bandulus feat. Jesse Wagner and Lady Hatchet. $29.34, doors open at 6:30 p.m., ages 18+ (8 p.m.) "Grinch's Night Out" w/ Mike Estabrook's "All Request Show" Fri. (6 p.m.) Holiday Cheese & Charcuterie w/ Seasonal Pairings. $48.25-$85 (8 p.m.) The Wankers. $16.30, $24.99, doors open at 7 p.m., ages 21+ Sat. (11 a.m.) Holiday Market (4 p.m.) "Festiv-US!" A Festivus for All of Us (8 p.m.) Single Bullet Theory, We...Our War, Traitor. $16.30, doors open at 7 p.m., ages 21+Bucks On Bridge 25 Bridge Street Lambertville (609) 483-2615 Fri. 6:30 p.m. Poetry Night Tues. 5 p.m. Chess Night Wed. 6 p.m. TriviaCatch A Rising Star (Hyatt Regency Princeton) 102 Carnagie Center Princeton (781) 568-1471 Fri. 8 p.m. Kevin Lee. $26.50, Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Sat. 7:30 p.m. Kevin Lee. $26.50, Doors open at 7 p.m.Cazz's Sports Bar 'N' Grille 1560 Haines Road Levittown, PA (267) 580-5469 Fri. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke w/ PaulClub Atlantis 1858 Street Road Bensalem, PA (215) 944-1777 Sat. 9 p.m. DJ Robbie Tronco All Events Ages 21+ and Dress to ImpressClubhouse at Mountain View (The Patio) 850 Bear Tavern Road Ewing (609) 538-0808 Sat. 7 p.m. Ernie White's Christmas ShowContinental Tavern 2 North Main Street Yardley, PA (215) 493-9191 Thurs. 4 p.m. "Ladies Night" Fri. 8 p.m. Dave Maida Sat. 8 p.m. Brian Latanzzi Mon. 6 p.m. Magician/Mentalist Matthew SwansonCooper's Riverview 50 Riverview Plaza Trenton (609) 393-7300 Thurs. 7 p.m. Cosmic Jerry Band Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour (7 p.m.) The Soul Cruisers Sat. 7 p.m. The Discoteks / DJ Frank Oliveti Crossing Vineyard and Winery 1853 Wrightstown Road Washington Crossing, PA (215) 493-6500 Thurs. 7:30 p.m. "Tinsel & Tunes" Cabaret Show feat. Kate Nice w/ Eric Smrcka. $25 Sat. 2 p.m. Bunny Barnes Sun. 2:30 p.m. Sweet SpotCurran’s Irish Inn 1909 Bristol Pike Bensalem, PA (215) 245-1800 Thurs. 7 p.m. Music Bingo Mon. 7:30 p.m. QuizzoDacey's Pub 215 West Philadelphia Avenue Morrisville, PA (215) 295-4838 Fri. 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Music Night Sat. 5 p.m. Gala of Goodwill Rockin' Holiday Party w/ "Chrome Pony" Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo Dadz Bar and Grill 744 Main Street Lumberton (609)267-4344 Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic w/ Jimmy MannixDharma Bums 4935 River Road New Hope, PA (215) 663-2867 Thurs. 7 p.m. "Nucoustix" Americana Bluegrass Jazz Fri. 8 p.m. Blue Wave Ramblers. $10 (advance) Sat. (12 p.m.) Heady Holiday Market feat. Prisms, Local Honey, Kevin Hill & Darilyn Avery. The Shoeshiners, Guesstimate. (FREE event) (8 p.m.) Ripplewood. $15 (advance) Sun. 6 p.m. The New Hope Nonet. $15 (advance)El Barrio Cantina & Tequila Bar 1470 Buck Road Southampton, PA (267) 685-0725 Fri. 8:30 p.m. Keep The ChangeFlorence Community Center 69 Main Street Roebling Sat. 1 p.m. Vegan Potluck MealFlying Pig Tavern & Tap 167 US-Route 130 North Bordentown (609) 899-7447 Thurs. 8 p.m. Ladies Night w/ DJ Mig Fri. 7 p.m. Lakehouse Sat. (5 p.m.) Santa's Final Stop (7 p.m.) Honey Spot Blvd. Forsgate Country Club 375 Forsgate Drive Monroe (732) 521-0700 Fri. 5 p.m. Christmas Carols, Cocktails & Wine SaleFounding Father's Sports Bar & Grill 2900 Street Road Bensalem, PA (215) 923-1100 Fri. 6 p.m. Bob Pantano Dance Party w/ DJ Joe CastroFriendly's 1031 Washington Boulevard Robbinsville (609) 426-9203 Wed. 6 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Kevin McGowan and/or Gino Formaroli (Sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.)Gleason's Bar 6700 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA (215) 943-4781 Thurs. (7 p.m.) Christmas Music Music BINGO / “Ladies Night” Hosted by Best Choice Productions (9:30 p.m.) Karaoke Fri. (6 p.m.) "Happy Hour" (8 p.m.) Christmas Party w/ "Doc Hollywood" Sat. (12 p.m.) Music BINGO Brunch (8 p.m.) Christmas Pajama Party w/ "Never Enough" Green Parrot Restaurant Pub, & Patio 240 North Sycamore Street Newtown Township, PA (215) 504-7277 Thurs. 7 p.m. Karaoke Night w/ Jack Wetere Fri. 8 p.m. Tailspin Sat. 9 p.m. The Rockets Mon. 9 p.m. Christmas party w/ Brother MikeGrover's Mill Coffee House Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction (609) 716-8771 Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Wade PrestridgeHamilatte Cafe 1971 Route 33 Hamilton Sat. 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Saturdays Hamilton Area YMCA 1315 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton Thurs. 6 p.m. Holiday Movie Night for BASE and Camp Families. Pajama Contest Havana New Hope 105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA. (215) 862-9897 Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Junior Mack Fri. 9:30 p.m. DJ Dance Party Sat. (3 p.m.) Strange Brew Crew (9:30 p.m.) DJ Dance Party w/ Iron Mike Sun. 6 p.m. "Best Of The Eagles" Eagles Tribute. $40 Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ SteveHopewell Valley Golf Club 114 Pennington-Hopewell Road Hopewell (609) 737-1199 Fri. 6 p.m. "Red Cardinal on a Winter Pine" Paint NiteHopewell Valley Vineyards 46 Yard Avenue Pennington (609) 737-4465 Thurs. 6 p.m. Mulled Wine Workshop Sat. (9 a.m.) WWFM (5 p.m.) Ugly Sweater Holiday Party w/ On The Fly Sun. 2:30 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Blue Jersey BandHurricane Jacks Bar and Grill 7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA (267) 914-4517 Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Music Bingo w/ DJ John W. Il Portico Restorante Italiano 273 West Route 130 South Burlington (609) 239-1000 Thurs. 7 p.m. Jazz Night Fri. / Sat. 7 p.m. Live Music w/ Tony OImmaculate Conception Church 540 Chestnut Avenue Trenton Thurs. 7 p.m. "Sounds of Christmas" Benefitting Mout Carmel Guild feat. Fr. Alphonse and the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea. $45, $40Irish Rover Station House 1033 South Bellevue Avenue Langhorne, PA (215) 970-5412 Wed. 7 p.m. Quizzo NightIron Plow Vineyards 26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus (732) 306-9111 Fri. 5:30 p.m. Jo Wymer Sat. (1 p.m.) Bob O & Kim (5 p.m.) Joe Vadala Sun. 2 p.m. Ronnie BrandtIvy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton (609) 888-1435 Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke All shows 21+ John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa (215) 862-5981 Thurs. 9 p.m. Trifecta Fri. 9 p.m. JD Pinkus, Abstract Artimus, Joe Buck Yourself Sat. (3 p.m.) The Real Fugitives (9 p.m.) Joy On Fire, Ronald Reagan? The Actor?, Dinner Sun. 9 p.m. Murphy's Law / Dinosaur Eyelids. $20 (advance) Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic Night (Sign-ups start at 8 p.m.) Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational All shows 21+Killarney's Publick House 1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton (609) 586-1166 Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Mario & Frank Fri. (4 p.m.) Holiday "Onsie" Happy Hour (5:30 p.m.) Lou Mutter (10 p.m.) DJ Bay Sat. (10 a.m.) Brunch (5:30 p.m.) Bob Banka (10 p.m.) Ugly Sweater Party w/ DJ Jimmy G Sun. (10 a.m.)"Sunday Funday" Brunch (1 p.m.) Football & Drinks w/ Santa Mon. 6 p.m. Kid's "Polar Express" Night Laurita Winery 85 Archertown Road New Egypt (609) 752-0200 Fri. 7 p.m. Billy Joel Tribute and Christmas Show w/ Wade Preston. $20 Sat. (9 a.m.) Breakfast w/ Santa (11 a.m.) Christmas Craft Class. $22.50 (7 p.m.) Country Line Dancing Sun. (9 a.m.) Breakfast w/ Santa (11 a.m.) Christmas Craft Class. $22.50 (12 p.m.) Santas, Sangrias, Sliders & SongsLibrary Company of Burlington 23 West Union Street Burlington (609) 3861273 Fri. 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Night Lillipies Bakery 30 North Harrison Street Princeton (609) 423-2100 Sat. 10 a.m. Storytime with JeffLocust Hall at Johnson's Farm 2691 Monmouth Road Jobstow (609) 723-2630 Sat./Sun. 10 a.m. Historic ChristmasLogan Inn 10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA (215) 862-2300 Thurs. 6 p.m. Scott Mcallister Trio Fri. 7 p.m. Sam Ryan Sun. 11:30 a.m. Keith Franklin TrioMagikava 87a South Main Street New Hope, PA (215) 862-2739 Thurs. 6 p.m. Astrology Readings by Riss Cottrill Mon. 6 p.m. Magik "Art Mondays" Wed. 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Night Main Street Mt. Holly 28 Washington Street Mt. Holly (609) 914-0811 Sat. 11 a.m. The Mill race Holiday Village (Takes place on White, Church and Charles Streets)MarketFair 3535 U.S Highway 1 Princeton (Center Courtyard) (609) 452-7777 Thurs. 11 a.m. Photos with Santa Fri. 11 a.m. Photos with Santa Sat. 10 a.m. Photos with Santa / Holiday Makers Market Sun. (11 a.m.) Holiday Makers Market (12 p.m.) Photos with Santa Mon. 11 a.m. Photos with Santa / Holiday Makers Market Tues. 11 a.m. Photos with SantaMcGuinn's Place 1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence (609) 392-0599 Fri. 9 p.m. "A Very Trenton Christmas" w/ The Cryptkeeper Five, Doc Rotten, Alpha Rabbit, Pissed. $10, doors open at 8 p.m. Ages 21+ McManimon's Pub 151 Liberty Street Trenton (609) 393-9023 Sat. 3 p.m. Christmas PartyMcStews Irish Sports Pub 5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA (215) 949-9570 Sat. 9 p.m. Ugly Sweater Christmas Party w/ "All Lit Up" Tues. 7:30 p.m. Trivia NightMorven Museum & Garden 55 Stockton Street Princeton (609) 924-8144 Fri. - Tues. "Festival of Trees" Fri. 5:30 p.m. "A Night Out at The Museum" feat. Westrick Music AcademyNaked Brewing Company 212 Mill Street Bristol, PA (267) 544-7129 Thurs.6:30 p.m. Dana's Sh*t Show Sat. 7 p.m. Festivus for the Rest of Us! w/ Low TotemNeshaminy Creek Brewing Company 909 Ray Avenue Croydon, PA (215) 458-7081 Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia Night Fri. 6 p.m. Pictures with Krampus, Santa Karnage, Santa Ghostface Sat. 12 p.m. "Jingle Jawn" A very Neshaminy ChristmasNew Egypt Flea Market Village 933 Monmouth County Road Cream Ridge (609) 758-2082 Sun. 8 a.m. Flea Market Wed. 8 a.m. Flea MarketNew Hope Inn & Suites (Diva Lounge) 6426 Lower York Road New Hopoe, PA (855) 229-5934 Fri. 7 p.m. $10 Country NightNew Hope Winery / Tavern 6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA (215) 794-2331 Fri./Sat. 8 p.m. "Beginnings" Chicago Tribute Sun. 1 p.m. Laurie Vosburg Newtown Brewing Company 103 Penns Trail Newtown, PA (215) 944-8609 Thurs. 7:30 p.m. "Holiday Movie" Trivia Fri. 6 p.m. Mark Margolies Blues Duo Sat. (3 p.m.) Magic by Jared (6 p.m.) Allison LandonNick's Roast Beef 4501 Woodhaven Road West Philadelphia, PA (215) 637-515 Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia Fri. (6 p.m.) Brian & Mindy (9 p.m.) Y'all or Nothin' Sat. 9 p.m. LeCompt Wed. 7 p.m. KaraokeNJWeedman's Dispensary 322 East State Street Trenton (609) 437-0898 Thurs. 8 p.m. KaraokeNomad Distilling Company 20 South Main Street New Hope, PA Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch Nottingham Tavern 9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square (609) 587-6623 Thur. 9:30 pm. Karaoke w/ Super Dave Curtis Sat. 9:30 p.m. The Polish Nannies Ages 21+ Odd Logic Brewing Co. 500 Bristol Pike, Bristol, PA Thurs. 6 p.m. "Pinkmas" Candle Making and Holiday MarketO'Fowley's Tavern & Grill 200 State Road Croydon, PA (215) 785-6998 Fri. 8 p.m. O'Fowleys Christmas Party Mon. 7 p.m. Music Bingo Hosted by Best Choice Productions w/ DJ John S Olde Liberty Tavern 2114 Liberty Street Trenton (609) 396-2262 Sat. 8 p.m. Annual Holiday Party feat. Karaoke R&B Caroling (Ugly Sweater or Christmas Attire Required)Old Hights Brewing 123 West Ward Street Hightstown (609) 469-5976 Sat. 1 p.m. Holiday Party feat. Santa, Caroling, Tatra Baking (6 p.m.) FOGLightOld Town Pub 135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown (609) 291-9232 Thurs. 7 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia Fri. 9 p.m. Gerry Rosenthal Duo Sat. 9 p.m. John Coler Trio Sun. 10 a.m. BrunchPalmer Square 40 Nassau Street Princeton Thurs./Fri./Sat. 12 p.m. Strolling Entertainment and Santa Tues. (12 p.m.) Strolling Entertainment and Santa (5 p.m.)Christmas Eve Sing-A-Long (Takes place on The Green) Patriots Crossing 1339 River Road Titusville (609) 737-2780 Thurs. 8 p.m. Ladies Night Sat. 8 p.m. Paul Plumeri Birthday Celebration w/ The Paul Plumeri BandPete's Steak House 523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton (609) 585-8008 Fri. 9:30 p.m. Balanced Breakfast Band Sat. 9 p.m. Annual Holiday Palooza w/ "El Ka Bong" Princeton Country Club 1-Wheeler Way West Windsor (609) 452-9382 Thurs. 6 p.m. Karaoke Night w/ Live DJ Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour Sun. 11 a.m. Jazz BrunchPuss N Boots Tavern 942 Trenton Road Fairless Hills, PA Fri. 8 p.m. KaraokeRandy Now's Man Cave 119 West Ward Street Hightstown (609) 424-3766 Sat. 2 p.m. Katye Kellye and The Interruption (FREE event) Sun. 5 p.m. Hamell On TrialRistorante LUCCA & Piano Lounge 144 US Route 130 Bordentown (609) 262-0110 Thurs. 8 p.m. Jazz Night Tues. 5 p.m. "Feast of the Seven Fishes"River House at Odette’s 274 South Rive Road New Hope, PA (215) 682-2022 Thurs. 7 p.m. Gina Corso Fri. 7 p.m. Liz Du Four Sat. 7 p.m. Bob Egan Sun. 7 p.m. Dave Dales Duo Tues. 7 p.m. Scott Gurney Wed. 7 p.m. Joshua Yudkin Rossi's Bar & Grill 2110 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton (609) 890-2004 Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Ernie White Fri. 6 p.m. Lyndsay Jordon Sat. 11 a.m. Brunch Sun. 11 a.m. Brunch Tues. 7 p.m. QuizzoholicsSandy's Beef & Ale 2028 E. Old Lincoln Highway Langhorne, PA (2670 852-2333 Thurs. 8 p.m. Quizzo Mon. 7 p.m. Music BingoSchool of Rock Princeton 1761 Princeton Avenue Hamilton (609) 890-7090 Fri. 5 p.m. Holiday Party Second Sin Brewing Company 1500 Grundy Lane Bristol, P (267) 812-5251 Thurs. 7 p.m. TriviaSlim's Irish Pub 2195 Galloway Road Bensalem, PA (267) 332-0047 Thurs. 8 p.m. The Night Before, The Night Before, The Night Before, The Night Before Christmas w/ Dirty Chuck Sat. 9 p.m. Velvet Snow Mon. 6 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Cecil Wed. 6 p.m. Karaoke Contest Slocum's Bowling, Bar & Grille 1675 Pennington Road Ewing Wed. 5 p.m. Drunken Santa PartySmall World Coffee 14 Witherspoon Street Princeton (609) 924-4377 x2 Sat. 7 p.m. Tom LittwinSparky World-Famous Beer Garden 4333 New Falls Road Levittown, PA (215) 943-2321 Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dana Sat. 9 p.m. Christmas party w/ Jukebox Graveyard Sun. 9 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Cara Cartney Mon. 9 p.m. Game Night Hosted by Kid Dalton Starving Artist Cafe 18 Bridge Street Stockton Thurs. 6 p.m. Jerry Monk & Joe Kramer Fri. 6:30 p.m. Frank Pinto & Richie Z Sat. 6 p.m. The Successful Failures "Christmas Show" w/ Tod the ModSteam Pub 606 2nd Street Pike Southampton, PA Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Montone Sat. 10 p.m. Christmas pajama Party w/ DJ Kev NicholsStratosphere Brewing Company 72 Washington Street Mount Holly (609) 6677116 Sat. 6 p.m. Christmas PartySubculture Artisan Ales 11 West Second Street Florence Sat. 6 p.m. Son and Father Duo Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia Temperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA (215) 944-8050 Thurs. 7 p.m. Steve Guyger and Filthy Rich Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia Hosted by Neville Esquire Tues. 7 p.m. Beginner Line Dance Lessons w/ Jeremy Line Dance. $40/4 Weeks Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Cara Cartney Terhune Orchards 330 Cold Soil Road Princeton (609) 924-2310 Sat. 1 p.m. "Weekend Music Series" feat. Jerry Steele Sun. 1 p.m. "Weekend Music Series" feat. Mike TusayTGI Fridays 780 Route 130 South Hamilton (609) 581-6910 Sun. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Burn TGI Fridays 2703 Mount Holly Road Suite 3 Washington Twp. (609) 239-486 Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia TGI Fridays 3535 U.S. Route 1 North #275 Princeton (609) 520-0378 Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia Night The Buck Hotel 1200 Buck Road Feasterville, PA (215) 396-2002 Fri. 8:30 p.m. The Zings Sat. (11 a.m.) Brunch w/ Santa. $45 (8:30 p.m.) Don't Call Me FrancisThe Cool Cricket 216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro (609) 291-9110 Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Dave Curtis Sat. 9 p.m. Asylum ChoirThe Corner Inn 24509 East Main Street Columbus (609) 298-8543 Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ We R EntertainmentThe Cranbury Inn 21 South Main Street Cranbury (609) 655-5595 Fri. 7:30 p.m. The Blue-Eyed Balladeer Holiday ExtravaganzaThe Cub Room 400 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA (215) 693-1051 Fri. 7 p.m. Synergy Twins Christmas Show. $30The Dubliner 34 North Main Street New Hope, PA (215) 693-1816 Fri. 7 p.m. Keith Quinn Trio Sat. 7 p.m. Sean Fleming Sun. 3 p.m. "Traditional Irish Session" The Five Four Bar & Grill 8919 New Falls Road Levittown, PA (215) 547-5525 Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula and Sam Fri. 9 p.m. The Posers Sat. 9 p.m. WitZend Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo w/ Jonathan Appel The Ivy Inn 248 Nassau Street Princeton (609) 921-8555 Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Trey Brown Fri. 9:30 p.m. DJ Darius the 1st Sat. 9:30 p.m. DJ TreyThe Morrisville Tavern 376 West Trenton Avenue Morrisville, PA (215) 295-5310 Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia Fri. 8 p.m. Bambu Weasels Sat. 8 p.m. Mikey Jr. Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia NightThe Newtown Theatre 120 North State Street Newtown, PA (215) 968-3859 Thurs. 7:30 p.m. "Die Hard" $6.57, doors open at 7 p.m. Sat. (9 a.m.) "Polar Express" $24.39 (1 p.m.) "The Muppet Christmas Carol" $6.57, doors open at 12:30 p.m. Sun. (9 a.m.) "Polar Express" $24.39 (1 p.m.) "It's a Wonderful Life" $6.57, doors open at 12:30 p.m. Mon. (9 a.m.) "Polar Express" $24.39 (1 p.m.) "A Christmas Story" $6.57, doors open at 12:30 p.m. (8 p.m.) A Very Slambovian Christmas. $40.10 Tues. (9 a.m.) "Polar Express" $29.62The Penguin Rocks (24 Hour On-Demand Music/Radio) www.thepenguinrocks.com Mon. - Fri. "Radio Jersey" Hosted by Lee Mrowicki Sun. - Sat. "Classic Jersey" Hosted by Gary Wien Sun. - Sat. "Beyond The Palace" Hosted by Lee Mrowicki Sun. - Sat. "Danny Coleman's Rock On Radio" feat. "16th Annual Christmas Spectacular Part 1" Sun. - Sat. "From The Basement" Hosted by Mike Marrone Sun. - Sat. "Deuce Radio" Hosted by Matt Barker Sun. - Sat. "Altrok Radio" Hosted by Sean Carolan Sun. - Sat. "Lighty's Corner" Hosted by Gary Wien Sun. - Sat. "The Troubador Show" Hosted by John Godfrey The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge (609) 208-0050 Thurs. 6:30 p.m. DC Duo Fri. 8 p.m. Bad Hombres Sat. 8 p.m. Talking In Cursive Mon. 6 p.m. Music BINGO Tues. 6 p.m. Trivia Wed. 6 p.m. Joe Vadala The Union Firehouse 18 Washington Street Mount Holly (609) 288-6491 Fri. 6:30 p.m. "Holiday Banger" feat. MAKS, Groundless, The Looms, Ingdorf, Stential, False Nine, Acrolein. $15The Union House 19 East Union Street Burlington (609) 531-6077 Thurs. 6 p.m. Trivia Fri. 8 p.m. Nobody's Business Sat. (10 a.m.) Brunch (8 p.m.) Three Question Marks Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch Tindall Road Brewing Co. 102 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown (609) 526-8651 Thurs. 6 p.m. Kathy's Holiday Cookie Decorating Party! Sun. 11 a.m. Bagels & Beer Ugly Sweater Pregame PartyTir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton (609) 392-2554 Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" All Shows 21+Trenton Social 449 South Broad Street Trenton (609) 989-7777 Thurs. 5 p.m. "Happy Hour Throwback Thursday Sat. 9 p.m. Live Music (TBA) Mon. 6 p.m. "Monday Night Karaoke" Hosted by SweetsVault Brewing Company 10 South Main Street Yardley, PA (267) 573-4291 Thurs. 6 p.m. Rachel & Ty Fri. 7 p.m. Acoustic Keys Sat. 7 p.m. Paul Lingerman TrioVillage Idiot Brewing Company 42 High Street Mount Holly (609) 975-9270 Thurs. 7 p.m. TriviaWildflowers Too 255 Route 156 Yardville (609) 585-5483 Wed. 7 p.m. Poker NightWoodlin Lodge 30 19 Park Street Bordentown (609) 298-9849 Fri. 8 p.m. Fridays On Park Street Sat. 12 p.m. Christmas Toy GiveawayWorking Dog Winery 610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown (609) 371-6000 Thurs. 4:30 p.m. Justin Love Sat. 1 p.m. Patty Blee Sun. 1 p.m. Vinny RugnettaWWFM 89.1 FM HD2 Radio MCCC Old Trenton Road West Windsor Jazzon2.org Mon. 7 a.m./7 p.m. "Danny Coleman's Got The 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.
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "The Skin I'm In" by BLUES People, who will compete in The International Blues Challenge taking place from Jan. 7 to 11 in Memphis.
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- On Sunday, January 5, 2025, Albert Music Hall will kick off the new year with its Winter Hootenanny in the Pines. This event will mark the Hall's return from its winter break, offering an afternoon of live music and community spirit. Doors are at 1:00pm, showtime is 2:00pm.
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Robyn Hitchcock on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at First Congregational Church of Montclair. Imogen Clark will open the night. Doors are at 7:30pm, showtime is 8:00pm.
Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.
