FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
1. GOOD MUSIC, GOOD CAUSES AND GOOD FEELINGS
2. BLUES MASTER BILLY HECTOR TO RECORD AT THE PONY
3. WHY HUNGERTHON? CHECK OUT THIS LIST OF TALENT
4. INTRODUCING NEW BRUNSWICK'S OWN CINEMA STAR
5. WALK ACROSS AMERICA AGAINST CANCER
6. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
With all of the terrible news that we are besieged with these days, we wanted to share some of the wonderful things that are happening at The Stone Pony. Here are a few brief paragraphs about cool events that have taken place around the club recently, as well as special chances to see unique video and musical clips courtesy of two very talented performers and The Stone Pony!
CONGRATULATIONS DOMENIC AND MERCEDES!
We are proud to announce that Domenic Santana, the owner of The Stone Pony, and his wife Mercedes, are the proud parents of a new baby boy, Jonathan. Both baby and parents are doing well and everyone at the club wishes them all good health and happiness!
ACOUSTIC GUITAR SIGNED BY NILS & BRUCE NETS MORE THAN $10,000 FOR POLICE CHARITY
In the last issues of the newsletter, we reported on a Takamine acoustic guitar, autographed by Nils Lofgren and Bruce Springsteen that was being auctioned off at the end of Nils' performance at the club. We are happy to report that $10,640 were raised, about half through online ticket sales, for the Port Authority Police World Trade Disaster Survivors Fund. Many thanks to all of the newsletter readers who bought your tickets online in support of this very worthy cause! For those of you who could not attend that rocking performance, Nils has graciously given The Stone Pony's web site (www.stoneponyline.com) to rights to show the video of his stunningly beautiful rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner". Check it out by clicking on the links from the main page of the Pony's site and, yes, it works just fine over a dial-up connection.
JON BON JOVI ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE VIDEO AVAILABLE ON PONY'S WEB SITE
Fans who attended the Twin Towers benefit show at The Stone Pony, were pleasantly surprised by an unexpected acoustic performance by New Jersey's own Jon Bon Jovi. The Pony's web site is pleased to be able to show video of Jon performing two Bon Jovi classics, "Living on a Prayer" and "Wanted Dead or Alive" to those who were not able to attend the show, or want a reminder of that memorable night. If you enjoy watching these performances, we encourage you to donate to the Twin Towers Relief fund by going online to www.twintowersfund.vista.com. Again, both clips work fine with a dial-up connection and Windows Media Player. Higher resolution versions are also available for those with high-speed connections, just click on the appropriate links when you visit the web site.
Have your Holiday Party at the Pony!
The Stone Pony is the perfect place for your holiday party. We can accommodate six or 600, or anywhere in between. Of course, we can arrange the entertainment as well. For details, call The Stone Pony Cafe, at (732) 502-0600, extension 12.
New Jersey's Blues master Billy Hector has been a familiar sight around The Stone Pony since the 1970's. Hector often hung out at the club, and took over from a house band called the Asbury Jukes (wonder what ever happened to them?) with his own band, The Shots, in 1977. He was playing the club on his own about once a week by 1979. On Saturday, November 3rd, Hector will add another chapter to his Ocean Avenue history, when The Billy Hector Band records live from the Pony stage, with two full sets. The Pony's renowned sound system has resulted in several fantastic recordings in recent months, including Gary U.S. Bonds and Clarence Clemons, and that vibe is sure to repeat itself in response to Hector's merciless string-bending guitar work. Hector has played for over 30 years, appearing with many of Blues' greatest names, including B.B. King, Johnny Winter and Buddy Guy. But, do not let Hector's longevity and history let you think it has diminished his relevance. Hector was honored at this year's Asbury Music Awards with nods for Top Guitarist and Top Blues Band, as well as the Living Legend award. According to Hector's official web site, www.billyhector.com, there will also be t-shirt and CD giveaways at the show, so it should be a fun-filled and exciting night for all in attendance. Billy's most recent CD (his seventh), Duct Tape Life (Ghetto Surf Music), was released in March 2001 and showcases the powerful rock and blues sound perfected by a 250-show-a-year touring schedule. His CDs, as well as other merchandise, are available via his web site. Be sure to come by the club on November 3rd, welcome him back to the Pony's stage one more time and experience the thrill of one of the country's greatest guitarists coming home.
The Stone Pony Cafe: Good food and drink from 11:30 am daily!
Looking for plans for after Thanksgiving weekend? How about an event to help out a worthy cause? Not good enough? What if it was a concert featuring a stellar line-up of musicians? Still not enough? What if was being held at the legendary Stone Pony? Sure, that's the ticket. So, buy yours now for the Jersey Shore WHY Hungerthon, being sponsored by World Hunger Year and taking place on Saturday, November 24th. WHY was founded in 1975 by Bill Ayres and musician Harry Chapin, as a grassroots effort to fight hunger and poverty around the world. The annual Hungerthon is their most visible and effective annual fund-raising effort, raising almost $5.5 million since 1985. This year's Jersey Shore event at the Pony will feature The Jen Chapin Band, Boccigalupe and the Bad Boys, Joe D'Urso and Stone Caravan, plus solo performances by Michael McDermott and and Danny White. Jen Chapin (www.jenchapin.com), Harry's daughter, is an accomplished singer and musician in her own right, based in New York City. Boccigalupe and the Bad Boys (www.boccigalupe.com) are Asbury Park mainstays, having been a part of the scene since the 1970's. Joe D'Urso (www.jdcaravan.com) is a NY/NJ favorite and the classic case of a great musician more famous in Europe than the U.S. Michael McDermott (www.michael-mcdermott.com) brings a popular folk-rock style that prides itself on its storytelling as much as its sound. Danny White (www.jinee.com/dannywhite) is a Stone Pony favorite with a talent for grabbing an audience and holding their attention. Sounds like it's going to be a pretty good show, huh? For more information about WHY, visit their official web site at www.worldhungeryear.org.
Promoters wanted! Friendly, outgoing people who love jam bands wanted for The Stone Pony Jam Band Fridays Street Team. Contact Kyle at (732) 502-0600.
The Stone Pony has been a launching pad for many musical careers. New Brunswick, New Jersey's Cinema Star hope to follow that tradition, and have been shopping around their new demo CD, Widescreen E.P, to record labels in hopes of signing a deal. Fans at the club will have the chance to see if this band has what it takes when they bring along their rock/power pop sounds to share the stage with Defective on Wednesday evening, November 7th. Like many other bands, working at refining their sound and developing an audience for their music, Cinema Star has combined their touring schedule, with a page on music site MP3.com, in order to convince fans to give them a listen. The band has announced that they will be debuting a number of new songs at their Pony appearance, so fans should stop by and check out which direction this four-piece band is heading musically. For more information on Cinema Star, and links to samples of their music, visit their web site, www.cinemastartheband.com.
Stone Pony official merchandise, including hats, jackets, T-shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops and more, available online at The Stone Pony Store. Visit www.stoneponyonline.com and click on the "Store" link.
On September 5, 1995, Jim Hickey lost his father to prostate cancer. Six months later his
brother was also diagnosed with prostate cancer, undergoing surgery on September 4, 1996. While his brother's surgery was a success and he has recovered completely, Jim felt that he needed to do something to raise awareness about cancer research and
to encourage others to support efforts against the disease.
On September 30, 1998, he set out to walk across America to increase public awareness about and raise funds for cancer research. He departed from Middletown, NY en route for Los Angeles. By July 2001, he had walked 2,154 miles to Clovis, New Mexico. He walked alone, with a 45-pound backpack, and no sponsor or support vehicle. He supported himself with 20 jobs along the way and the help of American Legion and Eagle Lodge Posts. Once he reached New Mexico, he found that he was unable to cross the desert alone, so he had to return home to New Jersey, with a determination to try again.
On August 18, 2001, Jim took to the stage at the legendary Stone Pony to announce that was setting off for another attempt. He will take a different route, but hopes that he will come across the same kindness that greeted him on his first journey. During his first trip, he never had to sleep outdoors, always finding someone willing to assist him.
He never accepted any money, but asked that all donations were sent to the City of Hope in Los Angeles, or other
Cancer-fighting organizations.
Jim's goal is to raise $100,000 for cancer research. If you would like to make a donation
to The City of Hope in Los Angeles, California. You may send your check to:
Jim Hickey's Walk Across America
City of Hope
1055 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90017
The City of Hope may also be reached at 1-800-260HOPE or www.cityofhope.org.
Jim plans to reach Los Angeles, by foot, in September 2002. At which time, he hopes that City of Hope will be able to welcome him with notice that they have raised enough money to reach his goal.
Jim selected the City of Hope for this effort, because they often care for patients that do not have any means to pay for their treatment, and shares the results of their research with other organizations around the world. He also hopes that he will help to encourage others not only to donate to their favorite charitable organizations, but to offer time and talent to benefit those worthy causes.
Jim set out on this trip from Washington, DC on September 5, 2001, the sixth anniversary of his father's passing. Watch for news articles or broadcast reports about his walk as he crosses the country. We will try to post
reports on his progress as they become available and keep everyone up-to-date on the status of his effort.
For news and information about Asbury Park, New Jersey, visit asburypark.net
Thursday Nights. Bounce Is Back! The Ultimate Dance Party with DJ Matrix and MC BJ, 20-oz. $1 drafts and $1 tube shots all night long, ladies free until 11, free with Monmouth University ID, 18 & up for everyone with two forms of ID, doors at 9:30.
