DANNY COLEMAN
“Danny Coleman’s Rock On Radio” will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a free concert at Soundbooth at The Asbury Hotel, April 24 at 8 p.m. For information, visit theasburyhotel.com.
Coleman, who is also a writer (who contributes to NJArts.net and other outlets) and a musician, will host performances by Radio Fiction, The Williamsboy, Dave Vargo, John Alberici, Kevin John Allen, Astronaut Jones, Strumberry Pie and The Jo Wymer Band. All will play acoustically, except for Radio Fiction, at the beginning, and the Jo Wymer Band, at the end.
“Rock On Radio” was originally on a terrestrial radio station but is now internet-only, and can be heard Sundays from 7 to 9 p.m. on COARadio.com and societybytesradio.com.
Most of the show’s interview subjects have been local or regional artists, but Coleman also has featured internationally known acts such as John Oates (of Hall & Oates), comedian Louie Anderson, Steve Hackett (of Genesis) and the late Peter Tork (of The Monkees).
Each artist booked for the anniversary show “been a vital cog, at some point, over the last 10 years,” said Coleman. “Radio Fiction, they play all my Happy Hours. They also share all the things I write via Facebook and Twitter and things of that nature. Anytime I’ve needed a band for anything, they’ve always offered to help.
DAVE VARGO
“Dave Vargo has just been a huge supporter of mine since I came upon him a few years ago. The Williamsboy was a story that just … the first month I was doing the show, he reached out to me. I thought it was a scam, with this story of heartache and heartbreak and being raised by a mother on welfare with two young boys, and he found this guitar in a closet in an apartment that they were squatting in. And whenever I need somebody to help out, he’s always there for me.
“The same thing with Kevin John Allen: A huge supporter of mine. Astronaut Jones, one of my first guests on the program — the same thing there.
“John Alberici … he is just a fantastic songwriter. I’ve been through hell and back with John. There was a point where he was ready to give up playing altogether, because he was so dissatisfied with the music scene, and trying to play his original music. And I busted his chops — you know, if it encouraged him. And he kept at it. And now he’s back out, playing, and he’s doing incredibly well.
“Jo Wymer … if it wasn’t for Jo Wymer, I wouldn’t have had the success that I had, because she opened up the Asbury Park music scene to me. Strumberry Pie … those ladies have always helped me out, if I ever needed anything.
“So these are people I’ve supported, and they’ve actually given back and supported me.”
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