Articles By Chris Paul
Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country at The Stone Pony: 10/18/24
My first sight of Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country was a live stream of the Vail, Colorado 7/7/24 show. The vision in my screen popped into my mind like a 1950's cowboy cartoon. As they played, Tumblin' Tumbleweeds I saw cardboard cutouts of an old west town compete with cactus in the horizon and critters turning on a circle like a classic shooting gallery in rhythm to the music.
published on 10/30/2024
A Deep Dive Interview with Daniel Donato
Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country is on the road for a busy fall tour including the band's second appearance at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ on Friday, October 18, 2024. Cosmic Country will also perform 2-night (October 19-20) at the Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA (outside of Philadelphia, PA) and a 3-night run at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg (Brooklyn) NY on October 24-26, 2024. I was able to sit down with Daniel Donato to discuss all things Cosmic.
published on 09/16/2024
PHOTOS from moe. and Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country at The Stone Pony
Asbury Park, NJ held their fireworks display on July 3rd this year. Jokingly, I asked myself was this because moe. was back at the Summer Stage?! Clearly, it was because July 4th was a Thursday this year and it did not benefit completely as the introduction to the holiday weekend. Because of this the vibe in the air arriving in Asbury was different. More intimate, as if the people gathered knew this was the place to be if they were meant to be there. Within 10 minutes upon my arrival, I ran into 2 friends. Extended moe.ron family, one who was camped out for the show in a grass strip between streets outside of the venue.
published on 07/09/2024
An Interview with Jim Loughlin of moe.
On Thursday, July 4, 2024, moe. will be returning to the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. Joining them will be summer tour collaborators, Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country and Neighbor. To celebrate the return of moe. for the 50th anniversary of the Stone Pony, I was able to catch up with Jim Loughlin (percussionist/Swiss army knife) and relive the glory days of past performances at the Jersey Shore while discussing the current state of the band.
published on 04/28/2024
PHOTOS from Umphrey's McGee at The Stone Pony
2023 celebrates the 25th anniversary for eclectic improv-rock band Umphrey's McGee. Recently the band was thrown a curveball due to drummer, Kris Meyers, placement on the IR list. Meyers underwent shoulder surgery and will be missing UM fall tour. Improvising, UM has officially started fall tour with notable guest drummers behind the kit. On Thursday August 17, 2023 this experiment began at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. First up performing was Duane Trucks of Widespread Panic.
published on 08/19/2023
An Interview with Ryan Stasik of Umphrey's McGee
Umphrey’'s Mcgee is an eclectic improv-rock band originally from South Bend, IN. This year, Umphrey's is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an active tour schedule and release of their album, "Asking for a Friend". Umphrey's Mcgee members include Brendan Bayliss (guitar), Jake Cinniger (guitar), Joel Cummings (keyboard instrument), Andy Farag (percussions), Kris Meyers (drum kit), and Ryan Stasik (bass guitar). On Thursday, August 17, 2023, Umphrey's Mcgee will return to the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. This performance has become an annual tradition for the band, and I had the opportunity to speak with Ryan Stasik in anticipation of the rocking event.
published on 08/12/2023
PHOTOS from Trey Anastasio Band at Stone Pony Summer Stage
On the morning of July 7, 2023, I got the best news! My request to photograph the Trey Anastasio Band (TAB) at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ came through. This show was originally scheduled back in 2021, but thanks to Covid-19 did not take place until two years later. Trey Anastasio even remarked at the start of the show, "it's great to be here, we were supposed to be here two years, but couldn’t be thanks to something. That something is gone now, and we are here!" Adding to the excitement of the news I got that morning, was that this show was sold out and the buzz in the air as I arrived in Asbury Park at the beginning of sound check was electric.
published on 07/10/2023
PHOTOS from The Disco Biscuits at Count Basie Center for the Arts
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Disco Biscuits performed at Count Basie Center for the Arts on June 15, 2023 and photographer Chris Paul was there to cover the show. The band originally formed as a Phish cover band at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1995.
published on 06/16/2023
A Special Night: Lotus at the Capitol Theater
Two days before Chuck & Charley Morris (Lotus' percussionist and his son) disappeared on Beaver Lake in Benton County Arkansas I had a nightmare. I was rolling over and over uncontrollably in the dream and it almost felt I was drowning. I woke up in a panic overwhelmed by how real that dream felt. Little did I know that shortly ahead my joy for music, specifically for Lotus would suffer a similar faith as in my nightmare.
published on 05/10/2023
PHOTOS from Greensky Bluegrass at Count Basie Center for the Arts
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Greensky Bluegrass performed at Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on January 18, 2023 and photographer Chris Paul was there to take photos. Chris also interviewed Mike Bont, banjo player for Greensky Bluegrass, ahead of the show and that interview can be found here.
published on 01/25/2023
Lotus at Union Transfer in Philadelphia
Lotus kicked of their 2023 winter tour on 1/21/23 and the horizons for this tour and beyond are soaring. The energy entering Union Transfer in Philadelphia was electric heightened by the Philly faithful out to enjoy a hometown show even as the Eagles prepared to continue a playoff run against rival NY Giants. Yes, the Eagles won and as a Giants fan, I was not fazed by this blow-out, thanks to having my mind blown by such an energetic effort by the hometown favorite band. Echoes of fly Eagles fly filled the air as Lotus struck fast with a first set that features some known bangers with a slow hypnotical journey through the precision that is Lotus’s technique and structure.
published on 01/22/2023
An Interview with Mike Greenfield from Lotus
On Saturday January 21, 2023, Lotus began their 2023 winter tour with a hometown show at Union Transfer in Philadelphia, PA. I was able to chat with Mike Greenfield, the drummer for Lotus about the highlights for him from 2022 and what lies ahead for Lotus in 2023.
published on 01/22/2023
PHOTOS from Umphrey's Mcgee at The Fillmore in Philly
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Umphrey's McGee, the eclectic improv-rock band, came to The Fillmore in Philadelphia on January 14, 2023 and photographer Chris Paul was on hand to take photos. The band consists of Brendan Bayliss (Guitar, Vocals); Jake Cinninger (Guitar, Vocals); Joel Cummins (Keyboard, Piano, Vocals); Andy Farag (Percussion); Kris Myers (Drums, Vocals); and Ryan Stasik (Bass, No Vocals).
published on 01/16/2023
An Interview with Mike Bont of Greensky Bluegrass
On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, Greensky Bluegrass returns to the Garden State to perform at the historic Count Basie Center for the Performing Arts in Red Bank, NJ. In anticipation of this show, I was able to talk with Mike Bont, banjo player for Greensky Bluegrass, about the stellar year the band had in 2022 and his anticipation for what lies ahead in 2023.
published on 01/07/2023
PHOTOS from Greensky Bluegrass & The Wood Brothers in Seaside Heights
(SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ) -- Greensky Bluegrass brought their tour to Seaside Heights on August 13, 2022 and The Wood Brothers, who have been touring with Greensky, opened the night. Photographer Chris Paul was there to take photos.
published on 08/15/2022
