Eddie Manion in his video for “The Lights Are On at Old Saint John’s.”
Saxophonist Eddie Manion, a mainstay of the Jersey Shore music scene who spent many years in Southside Johnny’s Asbury Jukes and is currently a member of Little Steven’s Disciples of Soul, plays his instrument — and sings, too — on his heartfelt new Christmas song, “The Lights Are On at Old Saint John’s.” You can watch the video for it below.
The song is a tribute to Manion’s great-grandfather Patrick Manion and other Irish immigrant railroad workers who built Old St. John’s Church in Lakehurst, next to the house where Manion was born. In the new video, made by Ryan Celli, Manion is shown visiting the church — which now houses the Lakehurst Historical Society — and playing his saxophone there.
The musicians on the track — most of them, Disciples of Soul bandmates of Manion’s — include Marc Ribler (guitar, backing vocals), Jack Daley (bass), Rich Mercurio (drums), Andy Burton (keyboards), Lowell “Banana” Levinger (mandolin), Cindy Mizelle (backing vocals), Jessie Wagner (backing vocals), Lisa Lowell (backing vocals) and Juan C. Jaramillo B. (violin).
The cover of Eddie Manion’s upcoming album, “Coastin’ In.”
“The Lights Are On at Old Saint John’s” will be included as a bonus track on Manion’s upcoming album Coastin’ In, which is due out in February.
The song can be purchased at iTunes and Coastin’ In can be pre-ordered at eddiemanion.com.
Manion also will sing “The Lights Are On at Old Saint John’s” at “LaBamba’s Holiday Hurrah,” taking place at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, Dec. 19. Richie “LaBamba” Rosenberg, another Asbury Jukes alumnus, has assembled a number of current and former Jukes — including Billy Rush, Mark Pender, Glenn Alexander and Neal Pawley — to join him and Manion at the event, and other artists, including Steve Forbert, will also make appearances. Proceeds will benefit the Fulfill FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties and the Asbury Park Kiwanis Club toy drive; new unwrapped toys and non-perishable food donations will be accepted.
Visit ticketmaster.com for tickets.
CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET
Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.
