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   Sometimes you just need to go somewhere with wagonwheel chandeliers and Nascar mirrors, or where you can rest assured that the mandatory number of songs with the words bayou and freight train will be played. If you are part of the growing trend of people who yearn for Nashville but don't want to leave Springsteen country, check out Twang Wednesdays at the Crossroads Bar at 1114 Main Street in Asbury Park.
   "This isn't big hat stuff," said J. Keith Christian, founder of the Twang Monster festival now in its fifth year. "It rocks and it twangs. I'm bringing the Cash, Yoakam, Wayland and Willie vibe to Jersey."
   The Memorial Day weekend Twang Monster festival that has in recent years been at the Moon Rock Cafe and the Berkely Carteret moved to  Crossroads Bar this year and packed it till 1 am. It was then that J. Keith was asked if he wanted to do this every week. Now in its fourth week Twang Wednesdays has started slow due to lack of publicity but the word is spreading.

A few of the Asbury Outlaws

   This past wednesday hosted opener Dave Isaacs of Long Island who is also part of the band Jackalope Junction, and headliner Vic Della Pello and the Asbury Outlaws who mused, "What's great about having a lot of people in the band is that one of us is usually sober enough to remember the lyrics." Their alternative country style steered away from the Garth Brooks ballad and went a little more gritty with vocals reminiscent of Train's Pat Monahan but a little farther below the Mason-Dixon Line.
   Twang Wednesdays will continue into the fall if all goes well and there will be a Labor Day tribute to the working man twang show featuring 5 or 6 bands. To keep updated on this check out www.twangmonster.net.
                     -Eve Amendola    

Open Mic
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to the other performers, who needs them!!
   A very important part of going to an open-mic is learning from listening to others. If your ego is too big for that and you need the entire night to revolve around you, your best bet is to just book your own damn gig!!!!
   Am I bitter? weeeelllllll maybe. Go to the Internet Café, Red Bank, on Sunday night or Harry's Roadhouse, Asbury Park, on Tuesday night. These are two examples of "good" open-mics.
       Bobby Strange

MHoliday Extensions

  On a warm Sunday in early July, a group of long-time Jersey musicians gathered at the Stone Pony. Sounds like a typical day at the Pony, but this time they were there for a good cause.
  Run by Holiday Express, it was the group’s first “Feed the Hungry” concert. Holiday Express is a local organization made up of musicians who perform at children’s hopitals and homeless shelters in November and December. Founded by Sea Bright restaurant owner and musician Tim McLoone, the charity also gives out blankets, toys and other needed items during the Christmas season.
   Holiday Extensions is a new venture for McLoone and his fellow musicians.
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