JPF Home Page Forums Northeast US Chapter Message Boards Newark, Jersey City, Morristown Chapter Message Board New Jersey Roadtrip Dates: Tue, May 31 & Wed, June 1, 2005

Hi Folks,

Here's the information you need for the New Brunswick, NJ JPF Roadtrip Showcase on Tuesday, May 31st. Big thanks to Spook Handy for sharing his legendary Spook Handy open mic with us once again. He's getting near 1000 consecutive monthly shows! Amazing.

We have a great lineup of old friends and new faces at this show. Keep in mind this is an acoustic only show (i.e. no guitar or bass amps and no drum kits). PA is provided, you need to bring anything else you need for this show.

We will be filming the show for the documentary project and will do short impromptu interviews during the show so be ready with a witty response if you want to make it into the final project!

Here's some guildelines to help keep the show moving:
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Brian's 10 Simple Rules to make the Show go smoothly:

After hundreds of these showcases over the last 7 years all over North America, I've learned a few good rules to make them work the best. So here's 10 rules to make it easier and more fun for everyone:

1. NO onstage tuning! That means NONE! We will give you ample notice when your slot is coming up. Be completely tuned and ready to plug in (whatever instrument you are playing) and play when your time comes. Also, if you are playing guitar, make sure you make eye contact and get the "OK" from the sound person BEFORE you plug in or unplug so we can be sure the channel is muted first. Also, make sure before the show your guitar battery works!

2. Please perform your very best song that lasts under 5 minutes. Please no 12 minute ode's to your cat or 18 minute Prog Rock/experimental Jams. This is your chance to blow the room away with your talent and writing skill (and let us get your very best effort on camera). Don't waste it on a new song you wrote on the way to the show. This is the time for your biggest crowd pleaser.

3. Please no political/religious/rants/speeches/diatribes. This is a music event, not a political/religious event. You are welcome to do political or religious songs, but remember, any political speech you make will likely offend 50% of the rest of the audience and religion can be a touchy subject to someone who believes differently. Let your music tell your story if that is the type of music you do and don't make speeches from the stage. Long song explanations aren't productive either. Do, however, tell folks who you are, make a few comments if you'd like (humor is always good) and say your name again after you peform (so we get it on film).

4. CD's. You are welcome to sell them, but remember almost everyone else has a CD to sell as well. Trading or giving out CD's is a great networking tool if you can afford it, but some artists can't, so don't expect everyone to trade unless they offer.

5. JPF T-Shirts and Hats. We have BRAND NEW T-SHIRTS! This will be the first show we'll have our new shirts for sale. It's a color variation of our original shirts from 1999 which people have been requesting the last few years. We have them in Black, Purple and a Light Khaki Brown type color called Prarie Dust. We have Black and Prarie Dust in Long Sleeves too! We also have our trademark JPF Red Hats. Remember, we fund the entire organization from T-Shirt/Hat sales, member donations and some community partner sponsorships. But the Roadtrips are generally funded entirely with money collected at shows. Help us out so we can help you!

JPF Signature Hat: 20.00
JPF T-Shirt: Short Sleeve: 15.00 (17.00 for XXL and XXXL)
JPF T-Shirt: Long Sleeve: 20.00 (22.00 for XXL and XXXL)
JPF Hat and Shirt: $5 dollar discount off combined price depending on size/type.

We also accept donations of any size if you don't want a hat or shirt. But you should plan on getting a shirt or hat. People will stop you on the street when you wear it and tell you they're JPF members too! (It's happened to members literally around the world!). The shirt theme is "We're All In This Together."

6. Cancellations: We understand things come up. But please try and email us to justplainfolks@aol.com the day before a show with any cancellations. If you have a problem on the day of the show, please call the venue to let us know so we can make adjustments to the lineup. Unannounced no shows at events may result in you being placed last in future events or eliminated altogether.

7. Come early, stay late! I am usually at the venue at least an hour before the show getting ready. Feel free to come and say hi during that hour. If a show ends at a reasonable time, I may be available to grab some coffee or a snack nearby to unwind with a group of members. In general, please try to come for the entire event or as much as possible. Someone has to go first and someone has to go last and we want them to get to perform for as many peers as possible. We take our traditional group photo at the end of the show as well, so if you stay, you'll end up on our home page for a few months in the Roadtrip photos.

8. These shows are not filtered in any way. You may see some folks who will blow you away with their talent, and you might find some that belong in a blooper reel from bad American Idol auditions. Either way, please treat everyone with respect and support. Even the best performers among us had to start somewhere, and if our own community of peers don't give a chance for entry level folks to get their feet wet, who will? Lets celebrate the diversity and if someone is really not doing well in their performance, be glad it isn't you and offer some friendly support! That's the best way for them to learn, get better and grow.

9. Network, Network, Network! Bring business cards and a friendly demeanor and meet as many people as you can. You'll never know what good can come out of a new contact, and often doors open that you hadn't even thought of. There's a lot of folks to meet at these events, so don't waste the opportunity!

10. If there is a problem, relax, it will get fixed. We're here to have fun. Stuff will happen and things will go wrong, they always do. We'll get past it, so don't stress. Be flexible and we'll be flexible and that should allow us to have fun and get past anything that comes up.
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Show Location and Times:

The show is Tuesday, May 31st, in the basement of the Corner Tavern (corner of Easton Av. and Somerset St.) in New Brunswick, NJ. We will have networking starting around 6PM and the show will start at 7PM. Our portion of the night should end before 11PM.

Here's the performance order for the show. If you have a time conflict, let me know and we'll adjust it. Please remember these lists are approximate. I may need to insert or delete an artist to accommodate a time need or a cancellation. If you need to cancel, please do so BEFORE the event if possible. If not, call the venue and leave us a message. For each cancellation, we move the list up so your slot may come earlier than you see below. If everyone is reasonably flexible, we should have no problems.

Set 1: 7-8:00PM (Time very approximate)

01. Cindy Gordon
02. Arlon Bennett
03. Alan Bitterman
04. Provo
05. Sudden Death
06. Alexanderman Band
07. Jackie Sheeler
08. Alice Marie
09. Massimo
10. Helena & Maria

Set 2: 8:00-9:00PM (Time very approximate)

11. David Blanche
12. Dave Kleiner
13. emith
14. Evil Dick and the Congregation
15. Vanessa Torres and Touching Ground
16. Ten Foot Tall
17. Peter Charles Prasa
18. Gemini
19. Deanna Ransom
20. Frank Glaz

Set 3: 9:00-10:00PM (Time very approximate)

21. Isabel Ruano
22. Kevin Hildebrandt
23. David W Jacobsen
24. Ferd Piccuirro
25. SusanJoy
26. Rich Deans
27. Provo Jr.
28. Joe Petraitis
29. Charisma Mendoza
30. Laura Bernstein

Set 4: 10:00-10:30

31. Bobby Syvarth
32. Art Richards
33. John Daubert
34. Ashleigh Wehmeyer
35. Charlene Johnson
36. Spook Handy
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That's where we stand as of 4PM, Saturday, May 21st. Watch here for further updates or changes.

See you all next week!

Brian

Brian Austin Whitney
Founder
Just Plain Folks
www.jpfolks.com

[This message has been edited by Brian Austin Whitney (edited 05-31-2005).]

I'm pretty sure I can get us a room in Morristown. As for the second date, I think the Underpass in Elmwood Park would host us. However, that's only 1/2 an hour away from Morristown. I would imagine you'd want to spread it out more.

I have a hybrid electric/acoustical band called "Evil Dick and the Congregation" which would want to participate in an event in Morristown or thereabouts, but I am not sure how to sign up. The band website is http://www.evildick.com/

hope to see this pull through nicely, looks like it could be really awesome for everyone involved

Hi Everybody,

I host The LowDown on WDVR FM. I would love to set something up in Central, NJ on Wednesday, June 1. Wednesday is usually a show night for me. If there is a small group interested maybe we can do something at the radio station (located in Sergeantsville, NJ) or if there is a larger group we could do something off-site possibly in Lambertville or Princeton, NJ with the possibility of broadcasting part of it on The LowDown. Just thought I'd test the waters.

Victoria


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Host/Producer The LowDown on WDVR FM Monday & Wednesday nights 6:00 to 7:00 PM 89.7, 91.9 and http://www.wdvrfm.org

Hi Everyone,

I just updated the current info on the New Brunswick, NJ Showcase May 31st. I also plan to appear on Victoria's radio show on Wednesday, June 1st. So tune in if you are around!

See you guys soon!

Brian

Hi all NJ JPF Roadtrip Showcase Players!


Some of you I know, some I know of and definately, I look forward to meeting all!

Brain asked for a 30 Second intro. Here goes:

Player: SusanJoy Grieco
Title: Singer Songwriter
Music Genre: Chill Folk Rock
Influences: Bob Dylan, Joni Mtichell, Stevie Wonder
Native Habitat: Jersey Girl
Answers to: an instinctive beat and sound that grabs emotions
Face Plant: Smacking my nose on the mic. Ouch! Ever do that?
Secret Weapon: Bikram Yoga
"If I could have anything" Category: I play music with my friends, and it is heaven.
Biggest Achievment: debut CD released May 05
CD Title: "TurnAround"

Find me: www.SusanJoyMusic.com


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SusanJoy Grieco
Singer Songwriter
www.SusanJoyMusic.com

Thanks Susan,

Hopefully we'll get some more folks saying hi!

Brian

hay everybody, so far this is pretty cool. I registered yesterday and got a show today. OK : My name, David Blanche
location: Asbury Park nj,influences? Patti Smith, Neil Young, Mark Bolan, Wilco. Bands?Singer/songwriter/guitarist for Staggerwigg, Label:Weapons of Choice. CD'S: Before We Drown,Staggerwigg, out this summer (will have pre released at Court Tavern show)Career highlights:Toured with the mighty Black Sabbath in Europe as a member of Godspeed (Atlantic),and made it on Beavis and Butthead(well I think it's a highlight!).I never smack my nose on the mike but I usualy bang my tooth on it.right when i get the rock star pose going(that'l teach me).to hear me www.weaponsofchoice.com find Stsggerwigg and click !

[This message has been edited by Brian Austin Whitney (edited 05-22-2005).]

Well, in Brian's comprehensive missive regarding the May 31 2005 NJ showcase he asked us each to post to the topic and introduce ourselves. So I guess I'll kick it off.

I play keyboards, recorders, and accordion. I am the keyboard player for Evil Dick and the Congregation (<a href="http://www.evildick.com/">www.evildick.com/</a> ), who will be participating in the event. Since we're only going to do one song, I'll probably just play recorder. I also currently play keys for <a href="http://www.jellyrolljamband.com/">Jelly Roll Jam Band</a>, doing blues, Dead, Who, Stones, and stuff like that. Also I play jazz, mostly straight ahead (Real Book stuff).

I live near Bernie's in Chester NJ. Bernie's is a rural-style bar with a large stage and great atmosphere. Next time we have a showcase we should be able to have it there, if that's what everyone wants.


[This message has been edited by cloudhands (edited 05-22-2005).]

Hi, everyone,

I'm new to JPF, but I can see why Derek at CD Baby endorses it.

I'm the proud mother of a 16-month-old girl and a new alt. rock CD called Angels Near. Yes, I believe in angels, and they've all but hit me over the head with their big wings to keep sharing my songs, and I look forward to doing just that on the 31st! And meeting all of you through your music as well.

If you'd like to hear samples, please visit http://www.AliceMarie.net and http://www.myspace.com/alicemariemusic

Cheers,
Alice Marie

Hi everyone! Michael Massimo here. looking forward to meeting/hearing everyone. Most likely be going solo this night but to hear the full MASSIMO band (sgr/sngwrtr-rock) visit MassimoMusic.net. See you all on the 31st.

Sounds good to me! It just depends on what time it is on June 1...

So...little bit 'bout us...

We are an LA-based acoustic duo featuring myself and Stevie Gurr, who is also currently working with Elvin Bishop and previously worked with the likes of Dr. John and the Meters. We've been called "goth-folk-hipster" and "cafe-pop" and described with influences as wide-ranging as Fleetwood Mac meets acoustic Led Zeppelin, Aimee Mann, Emmylou Harris, and BB King all in one kind of edgy sandwich. We have an EP in limited release and are currently recording new stuff with a fun cast of characters, including producer/bassist Sheldon Gomberg (Five For Fighting, Warren Zevon), Kendall Kay (Rickie Lee Jones, Kenny Burrell), Jeff Young (Jackson Browne, Sting), Mark Goldenberg (Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt), and others. You can read/hear/see us at www.emith.com (or check us out on myspace/emith).

Unfortunately, it looks like it will be a solo event for me at the show this night, due to scheduling issues. But I am still excited to come out and join in the fun, and happy that this works out while I have to be in the central/north jersey area anyway! (We come to NYC/NJ quite a bit).

You can check us out at www.emith.com. Looking forward to meeting everyone on the 31st!

Carol
www.emith.com
"rootsy, mysterioso and darkly atmospheric"
EP "Connecting" available on Itunes, CDBaby, Tower, Artistlaunch, MSN and other fine sites!

Great to read about all of you.. looking forward to seeing you all in person.

Brian

Hi,
I'm Isabel Ruano, Guatemalan singer, songwriter, with a mixture of world, ethnic folk. You can hear the ambient-electronic version of my songs at:
http://stage.vitaminic.com/isabel_ruano

Greetings everyone!

I've posted on this board a few times, but for those of you who aren't familiar with what I do, I do a comedy act with rap music under the name Sudden Death. I've become one of the most popular artists on the Dr. Demento Show in recent years. In fact I currently have the most requested song of the year so far. on the show.

See you all next Tuesday! I'm really looking forward to this show.

For more on the Sudden Death madness visit http://www.suddendeath.org

->Later.....Spice

I am sorry to say I will not be able to play my electric cello for you guys in New Brunswick. A paid gig came up that I cannot get out of. But I wish you all the best.

Von Cello
http://www.voncello.com

I've made more changes/updates to the lineup to cover cancellations and additions.

Brian

Hey all,

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night!



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Keep posting,
Ashleigh
www.ashleighwehmeyer.com

Was a pleasure meeting or hearing many of you at last night's open mic. I blogged my impressions at http://smellslikeamicrophone.blogspot.com/ (no sense repating them here). Wish I could have stayed longer, but space did not permit. I hope we can do this again sometime.

Hi...
It was nice to see and hear everyone last night...a little tight but being close is what it's about...Thanks to Spook and Brian for making everyone feel welcome...If Maria and Helena read post, please contact me for possible harmony work and colaborating...or if someone has a email...greatly appreciated
pprasa@aol.com...Best to all of you!
Peter

Lots of room there, space phob! (I just read the blog, and are just kidding).
I went upstairs (flush), and came back down to be able to stand and be with new people I hadn't talked to before, (in between acts). Gregg and I even left fot a slice of pizza, and came back down to snuggle in. Hey, you were among frirnds. They wouldn't have mind a litte closeness! Yes, the place was small, but ya gotta row the boat they give ya! I saw room for more people at the time the most people were down there, (in back of the bar, along side, and to hang from the rafters!

Ya want space? Come to Boston, where it's at the big and nice Regent Theater, and will only be JPF there. It will look and sound empty though. I'd rather have a packed house to play for, no matter the size.

Was great to meet and hear everybody! Ashleigh is so nice. Just one guy kept talking through everybody's performance, especially the soft, slow songs. (What's up with that?) Oh well,,,,we should have asked him to to give up his spot for cloudhands!

Yeah, those twins were really good sounding.

John Daubert



[This message has been edited by dhsongs (edited 06-01-2005).]

Hey everyone,

Great show last night. It was great to finally meet some of the people I've been talking with online. I think I'm definitely going to check out Spook's open mic at Rutgers. Sounds like fun.

->Later.....Spice
the "Spam" guy