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  • 08/23/2016 11:07 AM | Matt Scuteri

    Today’s word of the day is “connections.”

    One thing that never ceases to amaze us in working with Musicians on a Mission is the way that music connects us all on a deep level. We connect emotionally to songs we love. Music from the past has the ability to connect us to a group of people or to a memory. It even has the power to connect old friends for a special reunion.

    This Friday, we are so excited for an opportunity to get an up close look at just that.

    MOAM is proud to partner with our friends at The Strand Theater and The Jerry Garcia Foundation for a special night of reunion through music. The mid-1970s lineup of the Saunders/Garcia Band rhythm section will play together with Grateful Dead tribute band, Rainbow Full of Sound, featuring co-founder Merl Saunders’ son, Tony, on bass and former Hot Tuna member, Bob Steeler, on drums. The event will celebrate the birthday of legendary Grateful Dead front man and Saunders/Garcia Band co-founder, Jerry Garcia, and will benefit both The Strand Theater and The Jerry Garcia Foundation.

    This special night came together thanks to a happy coincidence on behalf of Jerry Garcia’s wife, Manasha, who arranged for Tony Saunders’ involvement, without him knowing about his old friend, Bob Steeler’s involvement. We’re anxiously anticipating finding out how the connecting power of music will enable these two music legends to play old notes and create new sounds.

    Be sure to join us at 7pm for the pre-party, which will feature some of our extremely talented MOAM members performing acoustically. The other amazing thing about the connecting power of music? No matter what level musician you are or what stage in your career, we all speak the same language.

    As the great Marty McFly once said: “Alright guys, uh, listen. This a blues riff in B. Watch me for the changes and try and keep up, okay?” Just a couple of musicians connecting with each other.

    After the pre-party, the show starts at 8pm on the Main Stage. We certainly hope you’ll join us!

  • 02/11/2016 3:34 PM | Art Steinman

    Todd Goldin and I are proud to present:

    Michael Patrick, February Musician of the Month

    Michael is a performing road warrior, web and social media guru and all-around nice guy.

    Your opinions are always welcome and don't forget to subscribe for email updates.

    Art Steinman


  • 01/21/2016 3:55 PM | Art Steinman


    Todd Goldin - January 2016 Musician of the Month

    I'm very pleased to present our newest Musician of the Month, Todd Goldin. 

    I interviewed Todd and he shared some personal moments about his and his Mom's journey into the coffee house world that changed their lives.

    Please listen and enjoy. As always, your comments are welcome.

    Art Steinman, host, Musician of the Month for MOAM



  • 12/19/2015 4:29 PM | Art Steinman

    Notes:

    I had the pleasure of interviewing Tommy and Abby on November 23, 2015 in their home in Bradley Beach, New Jersey.

    This is but a short snippet of the one hour-plus discussion we had over tea in their living room. Hear the story behind the music, about the musicians, their life journeys and beliefs that helped shape them. There's so much more to learn about our artists than meets the ear at a concert or an open mic.

    The link below will take you to their entry on my Musicians of the Month blog. Here you can listen to the interview and links to their website and Facebook page.


    The Interview




  • 03/29/2015 6:27 PM | Matt Scuteri

    Joe Harvard is certainly a man with a vision.

    In about a year, Joe helped turn an unassuming back room in the Ballard United Methodist Church in Asbury Park into a multimedia haven of sorts for the surrounding community. He offers free computer time, job skills classes, music lessons, and production courses to anyone who walks through his doors. The mission is simple: provide an environment for children and adults alike that helps level the playing field so the economically less fortunate can have an equal chance at developing skills that will help them in the future. But the road getting there hasn't been as clear. 

    "Maybe I was a little naive," he tells me as we stand in the little room known as the Media Center @ Ballard. A program that he thought would take a few months to get up and running to meet his full vision has taken a lot longer than he anticipated due to budget and volunteer staffing concerns. Despite all this, the Media Center @ Ballard continues to fulfill its mission to the community.

    And that's exactly the sort of organization that we at Musicians on a Mission strive to support.


    (l-r) Ben Carter, Platinum Minds teacher, Mohamet Diack, Ali Diack, Ibrahima Diack, students at the Media Center, Joe Harvard, Dave Cottrell, Ballard Council President and Breakfast Coordinator, Annette Taylor, Thrift Shop Coordinator

    MOAM visited the Media Center @ Ballard on a chilly Saturday afternoon to find Joe engrossed with three young Media Center students, teaching them how to use technology to produce music beats. The wall was full of old albums that could be played on a turntable, which was hooked up to a couple iPads and synthesizers. The rest of the room was filled with musical instruments and computer equipment, displaying the wide range of services the Media Center provides. The students were experimenting with the different sounds they could make while Joe excitedly pointed out different aspects of the program.

    We couldn't have been more pleased to present Joe and the rest of the Media Center @ Ballard staff with a check (we finally got to use our brand new MOAM giant check!) for $700, which was raised from our recent Come To Your Senses event at the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center. Every penny that was given at that event went directly to the Media Center @ Ballard.

    When we handed it over, Joe explained that the $700 represented his entire budget for this year. With it, he planned to upgrade the Media Center @ Ballard's Internet, which would provide faster browsing capacity and enable him to start implementing some of his other ideas. One of these was a free "Family History" class, in which participants would learn how to create their own basic websites and upload family photos onto them, giving them a digital scrapbook of sorts.

    As we left, we were thanked profusely for our donation. But we all know that the true thanks goes to YOU: the MOAM member. Without the dedicated musicians, volunteers, and local music supporters that attend and play at our events, we would not be able to support grassroots organizations that do wonderful things in our community, like the Media Center @ Ballard.

    Thank you to all who attended Come to Your Sense for making it a memorable event and for helping to support a great organization. We hope to see you at the next one!

    For more information on the Media Center @ Ballard, please visit their website.

    Special thanks to our talented musical acts who donated their time to Come To Your Senses! Please consider supporting the artists and vendors who support us.

    MUSICIANS

    Gary Philips

    Framing Dakota

    Stolen Rhodes

    Random Test

    Chuck Lambert


    VENDOR

    Surf's Up Candles

  • 01/19/2015 11:30 AM | Matt Scuteri

    Yesterday was the 3rd time Musicians on a Mission and the Light of Day Foundation have partnered for the annual Light of Day Festival in Asbury Park. What a day it was...and not just because Brenda Wirth brought her delicious meatball sandwiches.

    The event at The Saint featured some really great bands, each very different from the other. There was a wonderful mix of banjos, upright basses, saxophones, bass solos, and guitars. Yet, despite the musical differences, there we all were. Together, in support of a great cause.

    That's what makes Musicians on a Mission events so unique. There's a ton of unique music in our little state. Many of the musicians themselves are always willing to lend their time and talents in support of charity. When an organization like MOAM connects these talented and generous musicians to worthy causes throughout New Jersey, you get these awesome, eclectic events like the one we got to see yesterday.

    But it's not just about the music. The people who come out to volunteer or attend MOAM events aren't just supporting the musicians, they are also supporting the charities. The packed house yesterday was an indication that not even an "ice-pocalypse" (Jeff Raspe's new word) can keep them away.

    It was a beautiful sight to behold yesterday, with all the great talent volunteering their time and the generous supporters who came out. Musicians depend on the community to support them, but as a musician, it's nice to be able to support the community when we can. So thank you to all the musicians and supporters who came out to The Saint for Light of Day. MOAM charity events are special, but only because you all make them so.

    We are always looking for new musicians and volunteers to join our ranks. Does that sound good to you? Consider becoming a member and we'll see you up the road!

  • 12/11/2014 12:36 PM | Matt Scuteri

    It seems strange that in the middle of a fairly mild winter (although today is pretty cold) that I would be hearing Christmas music on the radio. But it is December after all and 'tis the season. The songs that are traditionally played during this time of year are really interesting pieces. They are literally timeless classics, played every holiday season and loved by (just about) everybody. How often can a top 40 themed radio station stop playing all of today's pop hits in favor of Bing Crosby tune from 1942?

    But there’s a reason why classic Christmas tunes seem to persist while the rest of the world changes around them. They have the ability to bring out the child in all of us or put us in a nostalgic state of mind for younger, simpler times. It’s hard not to hear a familiar Christmas song and drum up memories of holiday seasons gone by. Everyone’s got at least ONE they enjoy hearing every year.

    But if you aren’t one to reminisce about the past, Christmas music reminds us what the holiday season is all about, beyond the sales and promotions.  In “White Christmas”, Bing Crosby sings about the anticipation children feel while listening and waiting for Santa Claus. In “The Christmas Shoes”, the narrator talks about a simple act of kindness for a child who needed it. Even in the more recent “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” by N’Sync, how do you not get wrapped up in the imagery of screaming and shouting for joy the band talks about? 

    Being a proud member of Holiday Express, a non-profit dedicated to bringing the joy of the holidays to those who need it most during this time of year, I am a first hand witness of the power of these songs. It always makes me smile to see children at our interactive holiday parties react with the same glee as I did to songs like “Jingle Bells” or “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” But it amazes me to see adults act in the same way too. They close their eyes and softly sing along like they are remembering a younger version of themselves doing the same thing.

    Perhaps it is the kindness they exude or maybe it is the nostalgia they inspire, but there is certainly something about this music and this time of year that is special. Not to be corny, but wouldn’t it be nice everyone carried the positivity of the season throughout the year? I’ll just let the Shaking Stevens explain it in the best way in their sorely underrated, “Merry Christmas, Everyone.” 

    “How I wish that everyday was Christmas. What a nice way to spend the year.”

  • 11/04/2014 9:47 AM | Matt Scuteri

    So the other day, I was listening to the Man of Steel official film soundtrack by Hans Zimmer. Yes I know. Definitely not winning any “cool guy” points with that opening line. It’s a beautiful score. Especially the main theme, which starts off with a soft and emotional piano line before exploding into the fan-fare and bluster that marks many of Zimmer’s scores and, in my opinion, symbolizes the humble beginnings of Clark Kent in Smallville, Kansas through his evolution into Superman. It’s good stuff and by the end of the piece, I’m all pumped up and ready to fly myself

    But why am I revealing to you my childlike and most definitely female-repelling obsession with superheroes and superhero movies? Because it never ceases to amaze me how, despite all of the technology and distractions in our modern world, nothing cuts to the core of our humanity like music does. We don’t agree on much as a society these days, but everyone has a favorite song they turn to when they are feeling happy, sad, nostalgic, or need to feel like they can fly. 

    That’s what being a musician is all about: exploring that deep and magical connection that happens when performer and audience are locked in with each other. As musicians, we owe it to ourselves to use our abilities to reach out to someone listening and transport them, at least for a little while, somewhere else. Maybe to a happier moment, or to a time when they were younger, or just allowing them to get lost in the music itself.

    It’s a great power we have, but as Uncle Ben said to Peter Parker: “With great power comes great responsibility.” And that’s what we do here with Musicians on a Mission. We use the power of music to inspire giving and goodwill. We use our skills to raise money for local causes that need support. But most of all, we play our music to lift the spirits of those who need it most.

    There are plenty of people in our community that could use a pick me up. And the great thing is that you have the power to provide it. In the end, isn’t that all that matters?

  • 03/14/2014 6:11 PM | Cathy Noblick (Administrator)
    Just got back from dropping off a check for $1050, the proceeds of our February event, at the offices of The Ashley Lauren Foundation. Monica Vermeulen, Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit devoted to helping children with cancer, showed me around. The office is full of photos of young children, just a few of the over 300 who have received help and support from the organizaton. The Ashley Lauren Foundation, based in Colts Neck, supports families of children with pediatric cancer throughout New Jersey. It is a grass roots organization, with volunteers becoming directly involved with the children and families.  One of the most moving things they do is to arrange for the children to realize some of their fondest wishes, like meeting a professional football player or getting the puppy they've always wanted. But these touching stories are just a small part of their mission to provide direct financial and material assistance to ease the journey of those battling pediatric cancer. It feels so good to make even a small contribution to help the Ashley Lauren Foundation achieve such worthy goals. Thanks to everyone who contributed to and attended our "Come to Your Senses" event on February 23 at the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center. You help us make a difference.
  • 12/27/2013 10:15 PM | Cathy Noblick (Administrator)
    Do you recognize any of these song titles: “By the Time I Get To Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" (Glen Campbell); "Didn't We" (Richard Harris); "Up, Up and Away" (the Fifth Dimension); "Easy For You To Say" (Linda Ronstadt); "The Moon's A Harsh Mistress" (Joe Cocker); "The Highwayman" (Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson)?  These are just a few of the multitude of hit songs penned by the iconic Jimmy Webb.  We are so lucky that Jimmy has agreed to appear at The Strand Theater in Lakewood on January 10 for our first event of 2014. With New Jersey singer-songwriters Allie Moss and Peter Myers, this is a show not to be missed!

    The critical acclaim composer Jimmy Webb has received during his more than forty years of success is as remarkable as the accomplishments they honor: he is a member of the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and, according to BMI, his “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” has been the third most performed song from the 60s until 1990, with “Up, Up and Away” on the same list in the top thirty. Webb’s, “Wichita Lineman” has been listed in MOJO Magazine’s worldwide survey of the best one hundred singles of all time in the top fifty, and was singled out in the Oct/Nov 2001 issue of Blender as “The Greatest Song Ever.” Even singer/songwriter James Taylor was nominated for a Grammy in 2010 for "Best Male Pop Vocal" for his rendition of the song. The National Academy of Songwriters also named Jimmy as 1993’s recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award, although TIME Magazine was early to acknowledge Jimmy Webb’s range and proficiency back in 1968 when it referred to his astonishing string of hits, and commented on “Webb’s gift for strong, varied rhythms, inventive structures, and rich, sometimes surprising harmonies.” In 1999 Jimmy was inducted by actor Michael Douglas into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame as one of the State’s most celebrated sons, he was inducted onto the Board of Directors for The Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in early 2000, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for ASCAP. In 2011 Webb was unanimously elected as Chairman of The Songwriters Hall of Fame, replacing Hal David’s ten year reign in the same position.

    Although Jimmy Webb is best known for the numerous top-ten and platinum-selling songs he penned, he has also received acclaim as a performer, with multiple recordings to his credit. (For even more information about the accomplishments of Jimmy Webb, see the entire bio on the event page at www.strand.org).

    Allie Moss is a New Jersey singer, vocal coach and guitarist who recently completed a European tour with Ingrid Michaelson.  Peter Myers, also a native of New Jersey, has over 150 titles to his credit and has performed throughout New York and New Jersey.

    Tickets for this concert are $20.00 and are available at www.strand.org.                        Tickets for the concert and the pre-show meet & greet are $35.00 and include two drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Active members of MOAM can receive a $5.00 discount by emailing musiciansonamission@gmail for the discount code. The concert begins at 8:00, with the pre-show beginning at 6:30. Limited to just 165 seats, this intimate performance allows the audience to sit on stage with the performers, with the beautiful interior of the Strand Theater as a backdrop. This event will benefit The Strand Theater, a nonprofit organization bringing cultural arts to the Jersey Shore since 1922.
    After attending this show, everyone will be humming Jimmy Webb’s classic hits.
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