FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
1. THE STONE PONY INTERVIEW WITH GLEN BURTNIK
2. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
3. STONE PONY ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS
This Week at The Stone Pony: Joe Bonamassa (Friday), Glen Burtnik (Saturday), All-Ages Matinee (Sunday), Melissa Ferrick (Wednesday)
New on The Stone Pony Calendar: Lonely Hearts Bash featuring Great White (February 14), The Stone Pony 29th Anniversary Bash (February 15), St. Patrick's Metal Parade (March 16)
Glen Burtnik does it all. Born in New Jersey, Burtnik, surrounded by music at an early age, was already working towards a career in the business while in his early teens. While playing around the state, he answered an ad and landed the role of Paul McCartney in Beatlemania. This success, and several other projects, led to his joining the Asbury Park music scene as a member of the Stone Pony house band, Cats On a Smooth Surface, during the high period of that band's tenure. After turning down an offer from his good friend Jon Bongiovi to join his new band (read that sentence carefully a few times), he began to develop and record as a solo artist, releasing two albums for A&M. A chance phone call led to an opportunity to audition for the band Styx, becoming a member in time to write five songs for the gold-selling album Edge of the Century (A&M) in 1990. While continuing to record and tour with Styx until this day, Glen has continued to be involved in numerous projects, as well as his own solo efforts. Fans have become familiar with his songwriting through the Patty Smyth and Don Henley number one hit "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough" (1992), which he co-wrote with Smyth, and Randy Travis's number-one country recording of his "Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man" (1998). In addition, his annual Xmas Xtravanza holiday shows are in their twelfth year raising money for area charities. Somehow, in the midst of this remarkably busy schedule, which is just getting going for 2003, and before heading off to catch yet another plane, Glen spent time to answer a few questions for the newsletter in anticipation of his return to the club on Saturday, January 11. Fans from all phases of his fascinating career shouldn't miss an opportunity to catch the man himself on the legendary Pony stage, at the club where the name on the marquee can simply read "Glen."
The Stone Pony: Let’s start off by looking forward to your next solo CD release. You reported recently that you’re almost done recording the album, but that you planned to only release it in Europe. Can you update fans on where the recording and production stands on the album, and when you think fans will be able to get their hands on it?
Glen Burtnik: Well, truth is, I'm probably about 1/3 finished with the record. It's true there are plans for release in Europe only, but I'm sure it will be out in the states as well. The thing with that is, seeing as how insane my current schedule is (among other things traveling and touring with Styx), if I were to look into getting the U.S. release together, I'd be distracted from finishing the recording!
The Stone Pony: You were quoted in one interview as saying that your new album would be "heavier than previous ones." Can you expand on that comment, and explain what has changed in your songwriting, or your attitude, to reflect this difference? How have fans responded to the newest material during live performances?
GB: I said that? I probably did. Well, I believe the new album will be a bit more aggressive than my last, PALOOKAVILLE.
I've paid close attention to the audience and their reactions have absolutely influenced song selection for the new album, which, by the way, is tentatively titled WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD.
The Stone Pony: You contributed a new song, "Window of the World", to the "Jersey Jams, Jersey Cares" benefit CD for the Jersey Jams Fund scholarship charity. How did you become involved with the Jersey Jams Fund? Was the song written specifically for the CD, or was it an existing track that you donated? What are your impressions of the ongoing work of the Fund?
GB: Funny you should ask. I was asked to open for Nils Lofgren at the Stone Pony not long after 9/11. Seeing as it was my first solo appearance since the tragedy, I had written WINDOW OF THE WORLD for that performance, and I'm happy with how it came out.
Soon after, Bob Makin, who organized "Jersey Jams, Jersey Cares", called me to ask if I wanted to contribute a song to the project. I recorded a quick, acoustic guitar rendition, which included Jimmy Leahey, Dave Anthony, Nancy Sebastian and Plinky performing on it.
The Stone Pony: You recently completed your 12th Annual "Xmas Xtravaganza" show, which you hold every year to support area food banks. Was this year’s event a success? How far in advance will you have to begin preparing next year’s show and putting together the list of performers?
GB: You know, my XMAS XTRAVAGANZA originated at the Stone Pony (see www.xmasxtravaganza.com), although it was known as the CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA back when we started it.
Yes, this year was a tremendous success, with performances by a number of fantastic performers, including Billy Squier, Billy J. Kramer, Patty Smith and Marshall Crenshaw.
There is a long list of worthwhile charities in this world, and I choose to give the profit from the show to two NY/NJ area food banks. In addition, the audience brings new toys & warm clothes, which I pass along to other LOCAL charities.
I begin preparing for each year’s Christmas show around August.
The Stone Pony: What is the
current status of a new Styx album and the planned schedule for the release
of that disc and any touring to support it? How does performing with a band
differ from writing and playing your solo material? Does being able to tour
and record both solo and as a group give you a greater appreciation for
both, or do you gain greater satisfaction from one or the other?
GB: The new Styx album, CYCLORAMA, is scheduled to be released in February.
We surely will tour to support it - we play constantly. (I'm leaving
for the airport as soon as I finish this interview.)
Performing with Styx while trying to maintain a normal family lifestyle, record a solo album, keep an outside, original band going, write music for myself AND others, and live LIFE is no easy matter. I've become a pretty good juggler. But there have been many perks to performing in such a successful band, and I very much enjoy the time on stage and in the studio.
The Stone Pony: Let’s review a bit of Pony history. Do you remember the first time you ever performed at the club, and how does it feel to be able to keep returning here after so many years? What do you think about the club’s rejuvenation over the past few years and how does today’s Pony compare to the one in which you started?
GB: I love playing the Stone Pony. The place seems in possibly better shape than ever, and I respect what Domenic Santana and Eileen Chapman have done there. I also love seeing many of the originals there, particularly star bar tenders Traci and TR.
I realize it's no simple task, keeping a place like this going (times have changed - live music ain't what it once was in New Jersey) but I believe in this historic venue and expect to see it only continue. I'm sure the first time I ever set foot on that stage was with CATS.
The Stone Pony: Music fans in the Asbury area first got to know you as a member of the Pony house band Cats On a Smooth Surface. Can you recollect how that band was put together, and how you came to know and start playing with Bobby Bandiera and Fran Smith? How did your time performing with Cats help to prepare you for the rest of your career, and do you now look back fondly on those days?
GB: After stints in BEATLEMANIA, Jan Hammer's band and an LA band named HELMET BOY, I came home to New Jersey, where my dear dear dear friend Patty Maloney suggested I join CATS ON A SMOOTH SURFACE, who were looking to replace a few members. The great Bobby Bandiera was the leader at the time and he hired Fran Smith, Ray Anderson and me to join the line up.
I certainly look back fondly on those days, it was a great bar band and there were many golden nights at the Pony. Of course, playing with Springsteen is an unforgettable thing, and that took place often.
The Stone Pony: A number of your songs have been covered successfully by artists such as Patty Smyth and Randy Travis. Can you give us a brief introduction to the songwriting "business" and explain how artists such as those will find out about and approach you for the use of your songs, and what is the process by which they will record and perform them? Are the songs "bought" from you, or are you paid based on how popular or successful the song becomes? When a song covered by another artist becomes a "hit", does the songwriter such as yourself share in the financial rewards?
GB: It works in any number of ways and approaches. My thing has been to try it ALL. Knock on every door. Try writing every kind of song. Start 'em alone or finish someone else's. I've never given away a song for a fee and when a song I've written is a hit I receive what is known as "Mailbox Money", surprise little envelopes which appear in the mailbox, filled with checks.
The Stone Pony: Sticking on the topic of your songwriting, do you consider yourself a prolific writer, one who fills note books with ideas and lyrics that you later put together into songs, or are you a more structured writer who sits down to write a specific piece of music, and keeps at it until you’re happy with the result? Are you comfortable with a Glen Burtnik "style" of songwriting, or do you try and find new and different things to perform?
GB: I can be prolific, and there are usually at least a dozen dangling ideas floating around in my head - and HUNDREDS of little seeds waiting on work tapes all over my house. I’m not as organized as I could be, but I can get the job done. I often give myself assignments, which helps me to expand a bit. I'm always trying to improve and grow. Lately, for my new solo album, I’ve been enjoying collaborating with my two close friends Bob Burger, multi-tasking genius boy from Bobby Bandiera’s band, and Plinky Giglio, who's an awesome musician/engineer/brother-in-law.
The Stone Pony: Finish off the interview by being the proud father and talking about your son. Beau is the bassist for the band dibs, and recently appeared with you on WPLJ radio to help promote the Xmas Xtravaganza. How does it feel to be able to perform with your son, and are there plans to have him continue to play along with you? What do you think about his own band, and are there words of wisdom from your own career that you’ve passed on to him?
GB: Beau is a great son, a cool musician, and a handsome son of a gun. It's a thrill whenever we perform together. I dig dibs. Words of wisdom? I believe I've most often told him these two things: "Never eat anything bigger than your head" and "Stop surpassing me!"
Surpassing Glen isn't a small task! Mark your calendar now to be at The Stone Pony on Saturday evening, January 11, for Glen Burtnik, plus Spiraling and Jack. Lots more about Glen's career, including a more in-depth biography, can be found on his official web site, www.glenburtnik.com.
New at The Stone Pony Store
Now at The Stone Pony
Store, we're offering high-quality, signed and numbered prints of a
beautiful watercolor of the Pony by artist Ray Sternesky. We also have
winter caps, jackets, sweatshirts and more, so make sure to visit our
online store today!
Did you know that The Stone Pony often
posts set times for our shows a few days before certain events?
Be sure to visit the Stone Pony's online
Calendar
often for new event announcements, show times and the latest goings-on at
the legendary Ocean Avenue landmark.
Now at AsburyPark.net:
Planning board to review
downtown proposal
By a 3-2 vote, the City Council voted to send a downtown redevelopment
plan to the city Planning Board for review, even though none of the council
members had actually read the latest version of the plan. Council members
Kate Mellina and John Hamilton said they did not necessarily oppose the
plan, but felt that the council should read it before sending it to the
planning board.
Thursday Nights:
Ladies Night with DJ Matrix
The best mix of house/trance/progressive/vocal. All Ladies free before
10, Ladies 21+ free all night, under 21 $5 after 10; Gentlemen 21+ $7, Under 21 $10; Reduced
Admission with College ID or Invite.
Click here for
more information, details and $2 off admission!
