Local Heroes

My friend Sammy sent me an email today reminding me that today is the 13th anniversary of the Jon Bon Jovi and Friends concert at the Count Basie Theater in 1998. I wrote a blog entry about it three years ago (http://jn19.blogspot.com/2008/01/13198-come-together.html), but it spurred me to gather the thoughts that have been kicking around my head the last few weeks.

I was lucky enough in less than two weeks to see Bruce Springsteen perform in Asbury Park as part of the Light of Day Benefit and to see Jon Bon Jovi at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville to benefit the Parker Family Medical Center. I thought about reviewing the shows, and I will throw in my two cents. However, what strikes me most about seeing these two shows is that "our guys", meaning our guys from New Jersey, really get it.

Now you can throw stones at Bon Jovi for loving the spotlight, and for doing a lot of charity in the public eye. You can throw stones at Bruce for his politics. However, year in and year out, these guys show up...at home...for some cause or another. Whether it's Light of Day, The Hope Shows, Holiday Shows, or shows for the kids' schools, these guys can raise some money. It's easy to sit back and write checks when you have the kind of money that they have. But these shows aren't just about raising money. It's about spreading awareness, raising money, and having a great time for a great cause.

Bruce shows up pretty much every year for Bob Benjamin and Light of Day. This year, he changed up his set a little bit. After coming out to play one song each with Jesse Malin, Willie Nile, and Alejandro Escovedo (who did a ridiculously good acoustic set), Bruce walked out on stage with his acoustic. While he typically is happy to blend in, it was clear that he was itching to play.

He started out with You're Own Worst Enemy. Now, after over 150 shows, my goal when I see Bruce is to see something I have never seen before. That was taken care of with the first song. From there, it was an acoustic version of This Hard Land and then he brought out Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers and strapped on the electric guitar.

The set was heavy with material from the Darkness on the Edge of Town period, both from the record and from the recent box set. The highlight of the night was, by far, One Way Street. He truly went to another place while singing this song. A soul singer. See for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knWyxAynOnE

At the end, with a stage full of people at nearly 1:00 a.m., Bruce pulled out the acoustic again and led a slow singalong version of Thunder Road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izPRG0B5_3Q&feature=related). He could have mailed it in, played some stuff that he has played with The Houserockers a bunch of times, but he showed up to rehearse and he SHOWED UP for his fans.

Jon Bon Jovi also showed up for his show. His Bon Jovi tour started up again this week, so he could have stayed home, hung out with the family, etc. However, he asked Bobby Bandiera to put together a band and a show so they could raise some money for one of Jon's favorite charities. Apparently, he has been raising money for the Parker Family Medical Center for about 10 years and he took the time during the show to let us know why it's a cause close to his heart.

It was a nice of mostly covers with members of Bobby's band taking turns stepping forward to share the mic with Jon...or simply take the lead. Jon was gracious to all of the singers, allowing them each time to shine. The highlights for me were the songs Southside came up for. Hold On, I'm Coming (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byo_eTaW1kY) and 634-5789 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yckn6zSZmx0) were amazing and every time Jon plays with Johnny, it's obvious that he holds him in a special place. Seeing the Bon Jovi material in a small club setting was also very cool too. Songs that fill stadiums in a small venue is always a great thing.

So...as I sit here thinking about these shows...I thought it was important to help them pass along their message. Throw your stones if you choose, but these guys are "our guys" and they get it. I am proud to say that they are from New Jersey...and so am I.

"It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive".
JN

Random Thoughts on New Year's Day

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy 2011. Here are some random thoughts to ring in the new year:

- The pace of technology continues to amaze me. It seems that the folks at Apple and Google are some of the brightest, but whoever invented Angry Birds might be the smartest of them all.

- The iPad was definitely my favorite gadget of 2010, but it does so many things, that calling it a gadget is severely selling it short.

- 2010 included the birth of my niece Addison, Sammy and Jen's wedding, my son's first steps, my daughter's ever expanding vocabulary, two fantasy baseball titles, and a new pool in the backyard among other amazing things. It was a great year all around. I have a feeling 2011 will be even better.

- The Giants are wildly disappointing and while they can still sneak in to the playoffs, they don't deserve it based on the last few weeks. The last time I was this convinced that they had to fire Tom Coughlin was three years ago. Yes, they won the Super Bowl that year.

- I have a ton of respect for Cliff Lee taking less money to play in Philadelphia. Granted $120m is nothing to laugh at, but he still left millions of dollars on the table and I think it's awesome.

- The Red Sox got a lot better this off season. A lot.

- How good is Blake Griffin? Is anyone else watching this guy? He looks like he is playing on an 8' rim against kids five years younger than him on the school playground.

- Any news on global warming? Seems pretty cold to me.

- We saw Black Swan with Natalie Portman tonight. Great movie, but my favorite Natalie Portman movie (other than the Star Wars prequels) is Beautiful Girls. If you haven't seen it, rent it immediately. That said, if she doesn't in an Oscar for this role, it's a crime.

- Bruce playing The Old Carousel House in Asbury Park as a promo for the new material on The Promise (Darkness outtakes) was VERY cool. The fact that I didn't get in is VERY uncool.

- The box set for the Darkness On The Edge of Town reissue might be the best thing that Bruce and company have ever put out. The DVD's are amazing and the packaging is wildly impressive. With excepts from his writing notebooks and video footage from rehearsals and the studio, this set really takes you inside the inner workings of how the record was made. Great stuff.

- I almost switched companies this year. During the process, I learned some things about myself. Luckily, they were all positive.

That's all for tonight. I will try to blog a little more often in the coming year. I don't really believe it resolutions, but let's just say I am going to try.

"It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive."

JN