Hackettstown, NJ USA

December 22, 2009

At 7:00pm on the Tuesday night of Christmas week, Monique from MoPromo made her way over to meet up with the legendary 60's rock band The DOUGHBOYS members from Plainfield, NJ. She had arranged for a meeting. The boys made their separate ways over Scholey's Mountain down into the valley to Centenary College. They all meet at the studio of WNTI Radio for an interview with Cable Man Dan that night.

Just like Santa Clause Gar Francis and Mike Caruso arrived on time and with a joly spirit and lots of laughter that they carried over the airwaves during the entire show. The Show Reggae & World Rhythms airs ever Tuesday night from 8:00pm - 11:00pm with Cable Man Dan.

This week Gar Francis, Mike Caruso & Monique from MoPromo were in the radio studio to talk about the new Christmas single cd Jackie Kringle & The Elves and other projects they all are working on. Mike Caruso the bass player of the DOUGHBOYS explained the birth of the DOUGHBOYS as the Ascots and how they did "PAINT IT BLACK" live before the Rolling Stones were able to do it live. Mike explained they rehearsed the night before the song and when his band played it live the next night fans thought it was one of their originals. Mike continued to tell us that their manager thought they need image when they changed their bands name from the Ascots to The DOUGHBOYS and that the WWI uniforms would be it.

Monique who set up this interview with Cable Man Dan, Gar Francis and Mike Caruso, informed their listeners about the coolest song in the world voting campaign that is going on online for The DOUGHBOYS.

Which can be done till the end of this year at http://beta.fuzztopia.com/

Last year The DOUGHBOYS hit song "Black Sheep" was voted #2 coolest song in the world at Little Steven Van Zandt Sirius Radio Underground Garage Rock. We found Little Steven in the studio on Tuesday and Mike want to talk to him as you can see in this photograph.

"Little Steven wasn't talking"

This year "I'm Not Your Man" from the soon to be officially release new album ACT YOUR RAGE was voted the coolest song Labor Day Weekend. Now, for 2009 the song is up for voting for the coolest song for the entire year. Each day fans can vote at http://beta.fuzztopia.com/ and The DOUGHBOYS are asking for your support. Please vote untill December 31 2009.

At 8:45pm Cable Man Dan called in the world coolest drummer that we all know as Richard X. Heyman of the DOUGHBOYS at his home in New York City. On the air Richard X. shared some more of the legendary history of the DOUGHBOYS and about his solo project that are best described as Beatles Style music.

Dan placed the Jackie Kringle & The Elves "Let's Have A Rockin Christmas" on the air before the hour.

A listener known as Barry called into the studio to requested a Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawg song from their 2nd album When The Devil Hits Home the song "Dirty Girl " was played. Barry is familiar with Gar Francis blues band Plainfield Slim and he can't wait for March when Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgsa are opening up for Peter Tork which we all know as one of the members of the Monkees. Peter Tork has a blues band called Peter Tork Shoes Sued Blues Band. Centenary Stage Co. together with Joe Hirsh Productions and MoPromo will put on a Centenary Mini Blues Festival March 12 - 13 2010.

After the news break of the hour, we received a really cool call from Nashville, TN
One of the DOUGHBOYS' fans was listening to the program on his computer online that night and called in to say hello to his favorite band as well as ask them some great questions.

With a lot of laughter and Christmas cheer , Jackie Kringle was played again on the air. You know it was planned to be a Christmas program this week and we only had one Christmas song. Maybe next year Gar Francis will come out with a complete Christmas Album, like Bob Dylan did this year.

The later part of the interview was focused on Gar Francis as a songwriter. Which will have a new album released under the name GAR FRANCIS. One of the new songs that will be on that album is "Palaces" which is a very pretty song. As with many songs that are written by Gar, you can interpret the meaning of the lyrics as you wish. Here is a new music video that we interpreted as the crash of wallstreet aka our palace as well as the french revolution crashed french in 1789-1799.

After saying our goodbyes on the air the boys posed for a picture with music legend Bob Marley.

We all left the studio while Cable Man Dan continued his program till 11:00pm.

As soon as we left the studio my phone was ringing and text messages were coming in with reactions of the interview. The reactions kept coming also the next morning with emails from fans and friends that listened to the program and were delighted to hear Black Sheep played on the radio that night.

I was very surprised that during that interview that night, I heard from a good friend from my Theater days. And it was so perfect that he called because the last role we did the together in the Theater was Christmas Carol which he played the lead. Bill Nut called the station that night because he recognized my voice and heard my name over the air Monique. That was a great Christmas present to hear from him again.

##

DOUGHBOYS’ GAR FRANCIS

SPREADS CHRISTMAS CHEER

Since Ron Dante reprised his role as the lead vocalist of his legendary vocal group to produce the Archies’ acclaimed The Archies’ Christmas Album in 2008, a healthy proliferation of new rock and roll oriented Christmas releases have followed in its wake.


Alongside the new Little Girls (as the Hollyberries) single, Tony Bennett’s Grammy nominated Christmas extravaganza and Bob Dylan’s pleasantly surprising Christmas album, one of the most interesting Christmas releases of 2009 to date stems from the pen of Doughboys guitarist Gar Francis.
Born Gary Venittelli in Plainfield, New Jersey, Francis was recruited by the veteran garage band, Doughboys in 2005 to assume guitar responsibilities from founding member Willy Kirchofer, who sadly had passed away that year. Francis’ earlier work with CBGBs staples, the Rockids had stood him in good stead with the Doughboys’ rhythm and blues-inspired brand of garage rock and made him a very logical choice to help carry the band’s legacy into the new millennium.


Francis’ expertise in that respect also provided the aesthetic impetus for his new solo single, Let’s Have A Rockin’ Christmas. As was the case with the Little Girls and their new Christmas single (released as the Hollyberries), Francis issued his new track under a pseudonym, Jackie Kringle And The Elves.

Although the two releases emphasize slightly different sub-genres of rock and roll, Let’s Have A Rockin’ Christmas celebrates the occasion with as much exuberance and a healthy dose of Love/Chocolate Watchband-inspired, no-nonsense garage sensibility. Francis wrote the track and produced the sessions, with Danny Caruso overseeing engineering and mixing responsibilities.
While the Doughboys’ just released Act Your Rage album for RAM Records remains the band’s (and Francis’) primary focus, Let’s Have A Rockin’ Christmas provides a more than worthy interlude. The single is also available on the RAM label. CD review by Editor/Publisher Michael McDowell Blitz Magazine http://blitzmag.blogspot.com/

CD available for sale at http://www.garfrancis.com secure through paypal.

GAR FRANCIS BAND
Belvidere, NJ Nov.22 2009,
SHOWTIME presented the GAR FRANCIS band.
A dynamic acoustic band which delivered an unplugged MTV style performance this last Sunday afternoon in SHOWTIME.
With all original songs, the audience wanted more from this talented band.

The GAR FRANCIS band is lead by Gar Francis on vocals/guitar, Lee Fink on slide guitar, Rocco Scavone on the box and Danny Caruso on acoustic bass.
Gar Francis is know as the songwriter of the Legendary 60’s garage rock band the Doughboys whose debut album (after 40 years) “Is It Now?” produced the hit single "Black Sheep" that was voted #2 “Coolest Song In The World for 2008” on Little Steven’s Underground Garage. And currently wrote and recorded songs for The Doughboys second CD “Act Your Rage” which also produced the new single “I’m Not Your Man”, that Little Steven’s Underground Garage has picked for “Coolest Song In The World” for the week of September 5, 2009.

Also Gar wrote and produced for the New Jersey Blues Diva Jeanne Lozier "Queen Of Your Dreams". You will also find Plainfield Slim who is the blues alter ego of singer/songwriter Gar Francis whose released two Mississippi Delta Juke Joint Blues albums that are receiving currently radio air time world wide.

In an unique decorated place called SHOWTIME, the GAR FRANCIS band was a perfect match in SHOWTIME. The band took their audience on a mystical journey through the hills where they met for the first time "Marlene" then down to "The Bank of the River", and passing beautiful "Palaces" on the way to "Ol' Toms River" and back to a bottle of "Whiskey".

The second set started with a song that left the audience in ohs when they saw the WWII color footage that was worked into a beautiful music video and played on a large flat screen tv. The song is called ROCKET; a tribute to all our Veterans. With representation of the USO and a member of the military, the band received a personal thank you and memorial pins from the USO representative for the song ROCKET.
The GAR FRANCIS band lives up to the high quality of music and performances that we are known to find from artists like Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. The band played two full sets.

If you missed this great performance, you don't want to miss it next time. The GAR FRANCIS Band will return to SHOWTIME in the early Spring of 2010.

Check out SHOWTIME web site at www.myspace.com/showtime46 for upcoming shows. Live shows every last Sunday of the month.

SHOWTIME presented GAR FRANCIS band - " Palaces" live video.



You can find information about the Gar Francis Band at Reverbnation.
www.youtube.com/garfrancismusic



www.myspace.com/plainfieldslim


For more information about SHOWTIME or the GAR FRANCIS Band contact MoPromo ~ Monique 908-455-1576
www.myspace.com/mopromo

The GAR FRANCIS BAND of Plainfield New Jersey will perform at a real unique place for music called SHOWTIME which is located on 472 U.S Highway 46 in Belvidere, NJ 07823 www.myspace.com/showtime46 Sunday Nov 22nd at 2:00pm.

The band lead vocal/guitarist and songwriter, Gar Francis, is a favorite by many music lovers in New Jersey. You may know him as the songwriter of the coolest song for 2008 and 2009 on Little Steve Van Zandt Underground Garage Rock on Sirius Radio for the 60's rock band the DOUGHBOYS with their hits - "Black Sheep" and "I'm Not Your Man".

The Gar Francis Band will bring to their sets songs like Toms River, The Sun Will Never Go Down, Farnsworth Blues, Midnight in Rome and many more. While performing live their tribute song for the USA Troops ROCKET a new released music movie will be shown on a big screen while the band plays the song live. You can except a cover song from Bob Dylan as well as a tribute to Bob Dylan with the song titled Above The Restless Crowd. If you like bands like Tom Petty and Bob Dylan you will enjoy Gar Francis and his acoustic band. For tickets which include refreshments, the show and free parking are available by calling SHOWTIME at 908-475-1002. Band Web Site http://www.garfrancis.com/

MoPromo welcomes the group "The Easy Outs" to their roster this month! Their talented singer/songwriter Bruce Ferguson is a longtime pioneer on the East Coast music scene. Bruce has joined forces with musical genius Bobby Kennedy, who has worked with "The Dammed" and "Captain Sensible" to bring a passionate drive to the group's performances. Together with MoPromo, the band will hit the music scene at festivals, clubs and special events in NY, NJ, and PA. Europe and the Carribean Islands are in their future plans. The world is open for the great music that comes from The Easy Outs. Join us in welcoming them to the MoPromo family, and watch for performance announcements soon!

Their self titled cd The Easy Outs which was officially released earlier this year, debuted successfully a single called " I' Walk Alone". Other outstanding tracks include "Look Away, "Get Some", " Ego Trip" and "Sweet Revenge". One of my personal favorite is "All I Want" written by Bruce Ferguson and Bobby Kennedy, but then I also like " Sweet Revenge" and "I Ain't Got Nothin"... uhmmm.

The band continues with playing their pure "New York Rock" sound as they are working on more original songs. Another cool project they have recently worked on and completed is the song "Another One Bites The Dust",for the QUEEN tribute cd on Mainman records, this cd will be released December 22nd 2009 in the USA and Japan. Soon with other countries to follow. The track was produced by Bobby Kennedy. One insider says,"it gonna blow peoples minds!".

You will find The Easy Outs in clubs like the Stone Pony and other great rock establishments in NJ, NY and PA. So watch the MoPromo's email blast for upcoming information about this great rock sensation called the Easy Outs. To joined the MoPromo's email list please email mopromo1@aol.com The Easy Outs band's website is www.myspace.com/theeasyouts or www.mainmanrecords.com Welcome to the MoPromo family guys! "Live Your Daily Life Through Music"

MoPromo

Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs CD release party

Hey Blues Fans!
You are invited to celebrate the finished works of Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs' new CD - "When The Devil Hits Home". The CD release party will include an awesome show that you won't want to miss.

Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs will put on an exceptional live performance show for their fans this Friday night, October 9th this really cool club called Crossroads in Garwood, NJ. The party starts at 9:00pm.

The new CD has received great reviews from music world experts and radio play world wide. Now it is time to increased the popularity of the band's music with fans like you. The tracks on this cd are as pure and raw as blues can be today. With tracks like Dirty Girl, Love Sick Train and Moan you definitely can't sit still in your chair and watch the band. You will be moved to dance even if there's no room to move! The rhythm of Plainfield Slim's own style of Garage Blues will get the whole room movin'!!

The new cd will be available for sale, and there will be plenty of opportunities to meet Plainfield Slim in person right after the show. The band can even sign your cd that night! Have your picture taken with the band as a monument of the night. You can't take the band home, but you can certainly take their music home. We hope to see you all this Friday for a great live music party with Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs.
Band Members:
Plainfield Slim aka Gar Francis - Vocal/guitar
Lee Fink - Slide Guitar/Guitar
Myke Scavone - Harmonica
Mike Caruso - Bass
Rocco Scavone - Drums
www.myspace.com/plainfieldslim
Host: Monique MoPromo
www.myspace.com/mopromo
Location: Crossroads
78 North Ave.
Garwood,NJ 07027
http://www.crossroadsatgarwood.com/
For more info: 908-455-1576 or email mgrimme@aol.com

Plainfield blues musicians Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs will headline the Blues Stage with other blues musicians from New Jersey and Pennsylvania October 3rd at the Festival in the Borough in Washington.




This year the Washington Bid office with sponsorships of local business are holding their annual Festival in the Borough in Washington, NJ. There will be plenty of fun for everyone, with a Washington Kid Care Family Fun Are, Arts & Crafts Vendors, Delicious Food, Beer Garden and three stages with Live Music. The date is October 3rd from 11:00am to 9:00pm and the location is downtown Washington (Rt57). The festival will be held Rain or Shine.

The Festival in the Borough is proud to present live music from Bill Harley’s Comets. Magnum, Jame Bone, Whiskey Girls Band, Jimmy & The Parrots, Quimby Mountain Band, Day Low on the main stage. This year the festival committee has added the BLUES STAGE which is located across the street from the PNC Bank in the vacant lot of the St. Cloud Hotel. The Blues stage is sponsored by Taylor Rental and MoPromo Management. The Blues stage will present great blues music from June Bloom from Washington, Lori V Can’t Stop Now from the Washington area, The Blues Factor from Berks County PA and Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs from Plainfield NJ. This Blues lineup will not only entertain you but also gives you the opportunity to meet the band and buy their merchandise at the musician booth next to the beer garden right by the Blues stage. There is plenty of free parking available. The blues stage will start at noon and runs through 5pm with foot stomping, Southern and Mississippi type juke joint blues originals and Blues standards.

The line up for the Blues Stage:


Noon - June Bloom
1:15 pm Lori V Can't Stop Now
2:30pm The Blues Factor
3:45pm Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs

With bands like June Bloom, a Bluesy rock trio from Washington, which are coming into its own on stage. The trio tries to encapsulate the jam bands that carved the way for modern rock into their own music with its blues undertone. Winner of many local band competitions, you will enjoy this band.




You will have the opportunity to see and listen to The Lori V Can't Stop Now Band is a compilation of some of the most talented players from Central New Jersey and the Lehigh Valley, doing their own versions of select classic rock and smokin blues. http://www.cantstopnow.com/



The Blues Stage is proud to bring to Washington this year The Blues Factor - "Blues you can use” is that “feel better feeling” you get when you listen to stories and songs about people that have the same problems or bigger problem than you do. Van, Keith, Jimmy, Brad, and John collectively have over 100 years experience entertaining in and out of Berks County. When you see The Blues Factor you will immediately know why people love to hear them play the Blues. The Blues Factor is from Fleetwood, Berks County Pa. Band web site http://www.thebluesfactor.com/. Listen to some of their tunes go to airplaydirect.com/thebluesfactor .




This year’s Blues Stage headliner is our own New Jersey Blues band from Plainfield New Jersey Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs.
Plainfield Slim is the blues alter ego of singer/songwriter Gar Francis. Guitarist and songwriter for the Doughboys whose song “Black Sheep” from the acclaimed first album “Is It Now?” was chosen by Little Steven’s Sirius radio show The Underground Garage as the #2 “Coolest Song In The World” for the year 2008. The new single “I’m Not Your Man” from the upcoming second album by the Doughboys has also been picked as the “Coolest Song In The World” for the week of September 4, 2009. As well as solo projects under the Gar Francis name, there is Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs, a very raw, hypnotic, Mississippi type juke joint blues band. Band members include Lee Fink (from Nasty Ned and the Famous Chili Dogs) on slide guitar, fellow Doughboys Myke Scavone on harp, and Mike Caruso on bass, and Myke’s little brother Rocco Scavone on drums. Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs have recently released their second CD “When The Devil Hits Home” after much global success from “Another Mule In The Barn” the first Plainfield Slim album. Songs such as Dirty Girl, Moan, Hideout, Marlene, and Sweet Jesus have been receiving airplay around the world as well as here in the US. Both CD’s are available on CD Baby and as downloads on iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, etc. Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs bring a kind of excitement to the stage that is like no other blues band in the area. www.myspace.com/plainfieldslim

Whether you're from Washington Borough or beyond, the Festival offers good times in a convenient, accessible and welcoming environment that characterizes our hometown friendly community. Presale wristband for unlimited rides from 12pm-6pm are available for Festival In The Borough 2009, October 3rd. Day of event $15, Presale cost $12 Call the office at 908-689-4800 Mail your check or money order to Washington BID, 21 Belvidere Ave., Washington, NJ 07882. For more information please visit the festival site at http://www.washingtonbid.org/festival



Johnny McLaughlin - Too Stupid To Quit! 10:00pm Show


Admission is free to the festival.





The festival will be concluded with an All Star Music Benefit Jam at the Washington Theater. Hosted by Too Stupid To Quit! Tickets for the All Star benefit Jam are $10.00. Call Marko at 908-763-8184


















For more information www.myspace.com/mopromo

Monique

The Doughboys with legendary Procol Harum guitarist Robin Trower at STARLAND BALLROOM Sunday September 20th.

The Doughboys with legendary Procol Harum guitarist Robin Trower at STARLAND BALLROOM Sunday September 20th.


SUNDAY, SEPT. 20th, 2009
The DOUGHBOYS & ROBIN TROWER
STARLAND BALLROOM 9/20/09

570 Jernee Mill Rd
Sayreville, NJ 08872-1753
(732) 238-1241

Doors Open at 6 PM
$25 in advance, $30 day of show.
Ticket Special: Buy 3 tickets get 1 free - limited availability email garfrancis@aol.com today!




























(Robin Trower - Photo Courtesy of www.nj.com)

New Jersey’s own band from Plainfield The Doughboys will share the stage with Robin Trower this Sunday at the Starland Ballroom.
If you haven’t seen the Doughboys yet, you have been missing something really fantastic. The Doughboys are a band that will give you all you are looking for in a garage rock band. They have a great energy, a powerful drum solo, and great showmanship that has been there for years. The Doughboys always please the crowdon any given night.
This legendary NJ band , who came together in 1965, reunited in 2000, have released this treasure trove of instant classic covers and originals with cool obscure rock'n'roll cuts.

The Doughboys performance is always a show with a solid play list of 60’s classic including covers from The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds,
Animals and The Who ect. Their show also includes a focus on the band’s original tracks from their album “Is It Now?” like the song Black Sheep. Lately their show includes new songs from their soon released new album “Act Your Rage”.

The Doughboys lead singer Myke Scavone who was the lead singer of Ram Jam and scored their big hit "Black Betty" in 1977, brings to the stage energy and showmanship. Myke Scavone toured and opened for Robin Trower (Procol Harum) back in 1977 when Myke was with Ram Jam. Now they share the stage together again at the Starland Ballroom this weekend. The Doughboys drummer is legendary Richard X Heyman who has played drums with legends like Brian Wilson and Link Wray and embarked on a solo singer/songwriter career. Bass player Mike Caruso went into session work and even jammed with Hendrix! Guitarist Gar Francis gives the band static with smooth riffs and great charisma similar like Keith Richards does for the Rolling Stones.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKrrB2trFWk
The interview made for TV about the history of “Black Betty" of the Ram Jam.






The Doughboys history note:
The original members of the Doughboys in 1964 are here in this picture.
The drummer Richard X Heyman, Lead singer Myke Scavone, and Bass player Mike Caruso are all still with the band.
They added talented songwriter/ guitar player Gar Francis from the Rolling Stones Tribute band Sticky Fingers to the band in 2005.
Gar brought them new original songs to their already powerful repertoire.












(1964 The Doughboys - Photo Courtesy of http://www.thedoughboysnj.com)



Gar Francis joined the Doughboys in 2005 as their lead guitarist and wrote "Black Sheep" which on Little Steven Van Zandt's Underground Garage Sirius radio station was voted #2 Coolest Song In The World for 2008. More recent the new single “I’m Not Your Man” from the upcoming second album by the Doughboys has also been picked as the “Coolest Song in the World” for the week of September 4, 2009 written by Gar Francis. Gar played the Keith Richards role in Rolling Stones tribute band Sticky Fingers (The World’s Greatest Rock & Roll Tribute Band).

The Doughboys are a class act, very professional and can certainly entertain any size crowd. They have played at clubs in New York, like the Cutting Room, Arlene’s Grocery, The Living Room, BB King and Kenny’s Castaway. They have played at Mexicali Live, Stone Pony and Crossroads to name a few clubs in New Jersey. Fans are every time renewed and energized after seeing their show.

The Doughboys will be at the Starland Ballroom with Robin Trower- September 20 2009. http://www.starlandballroom.com/
Directions http://www.starlandballroom.com/?p=directions


They have also opened up for Peter Tork of the Monkees at Record Collector in July and in August they played at the Stone Pony with The Pretenders.

The Doughboys have a great cd which is called, “Is It Now?” available on http://cdbaby.com/cd/thedoughboys and the are releasing their new cd "Act Your Rage" this fall.

The Doughboys - Black Sheep video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQMTPRBz5A8




The Doughboys Web Sites:
http://www.thedoughboysnj.com/







(The Doughboys - Photo Courtesy of MoPromo)

Contact: MoPromo
Monique Grimme mgrimme@aol.com 908-455-1576

PLAINFIELD SLIM + THE GROUNDHAWGS - "SHAKE MY EGGS"

Cool Video. As always you do an excellent job with that camera of yours. Mo

REDBANK,NJ A PLACE FOR MUSIC

September 9th 2009, Redbank, NJ

On Wednesday I took a trip to see a great friend down in Ocean Grove, NJ. Upon arrival a great lunch with champagne was waiting for me. What a treat! After looking around the town of Ocean Grove I went off to my meeting in Redbank, NJ.

I never really took a close look at Redbank, but I have to report this is cute town and worth going back to. Maybe visit Redbank around the Holidays!?

I received a call from The Doughboys bass player Mike Caruso who suggested I should make a stop in Jack's Music Shoppe and check out their inventory of cds of local New Jersey bands.

They carry The Doughboys cd "Is it Now?" !!! If you are looking for a store to buy their cd you can at this cool place in Redbank, NJ

http://www.jacksmusicshoppe.com/

Plus you will find your favorite local bands cds too.

Also I found extra copies, to my relief of the Aquarian, which has a nice article of The Doughboys who played live at Fort Dix with Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs on 8/8/09.

http://www.theaquarian.com/

My contact for covering our Fort Dix experience and witting a great piece in the Aquarian is John Pfeiffer. John did an excellent job covering the event.

Thank you John for putting "The Doughboys at Fort Dix" on the front cover of this issue and the full article on page 26!

A few doors down from Jack's I found a real cool store called Funk & Standard - Variety Store. I met a real nice person working there called MacKenzie. Her brother's band The Gay Blades are opening up at the Starland Ballroom for 30H!3 on September 11th Doors open at 5:00pm. You can find some real affordable fashion in this store. They had cool hats and tops which are really unique in their styles. There was also a section with funny books and great gifts.

This is a great place for Christmas shopping this year.

Then I took a walk to Count Basie Theatre around the corner of Broad Street. I met with Izzy of the theater management and talked to him about The Doughboys, Plainfield Slim and Bob Lanza. I gave him the information about the bands, which he took upstairs to his team. The Count Basie Theatre has some great acts scheduled in the next months coming.

My experience of Redbank was wonderful today and I will go back there soon to follow up on the Press Kits I left behind. I will get there a little earlier in the day perhaps so that all shops are open for me to explore. That would be fun.

Monique

MoPromo

www.myspace.com/mopromo

400 Hudson NY City

New York, New Amsterdam, September 8th 2009.
MoPromo, Monique and co pilot Johanna, left Western New Jersey and took a pilgrimage trip to New York City to be a part of the 400 years celebration of enduring friendship between the Netherlands and the United States. In 1609, a Dutch ship called the Halve Maen reached the shores of what would become New York City. The Dutch pioneers settled on the island of Manhattan brought entrepreneurship. With events and activates throughout 2009 we celebrate the shared values which remain important today and in the future: freedom, tolerance and the pursuit of happiness.







Henry Hudson the English sea captain hired by the Dutch government in 1609 traded beaver pelts instead of spices in New York and made friends with the Lenape Indians on the island Manhattan.




Today New Yorkers and other visitors from all around the world have the opportunity this week to eat Dutch food, meet Dutch musicians, and see Dutch costumes and make Dutch friends.

Mopromo had the great opportunity to meet a group of musicians called Kleintje Pils, which was a very entertaining brass band from De Sassenheim, The Netherlands.




This band will be playing at Battery Park the whole entire week on several time slots. The location of this Dutch festival is in front of the US Custom Building.

The Kleine Pils is very good and so entertaining. I had the opportunity to meet Gerard Baker which was one of the creative player in the band. Johanna Vander Heyden gave The Violanta's CD of The Dutch Street organ to the festival to play this week during intermission. The Violanta will be playing this weekend in Belvidere, NJ. Details: Sept 12 & 13 take a look at the web site www.myspace.com/violantastreetorgan








We also meet Jan David whom new song "Miss Sunshine" was debuted at the park today.
Jan David a songwriter from The Netherlands will be at the park the entire week and will be performing is new song " Miss Sunshine".









Here is the link to his song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mllZHW8AT8&feature=related

We ended the trip the afternoon by renting some bicycles for FREE!!! Yes, you can rent these cool looking orange bikes for free with a photo id for 4 hours the whole week.








We rode around the park and pier A . Between crazy New York traffic and coach buses from out of town we made it all around the park and back in 4 hours.
















For more information of the 400 year celebration on the Hudson go to their web site.
http://www.ny400.org/

What Was On The Air Last Night?

Last night around 10:05 pm during the "Low Budget Blues" program with Rich Skelly at 88.7FM Gar Francis was on the radio to talk about what is new? http://wrsu.rutgers.edu/The radio interview with Gar Francis, who is also known to us in the Blues World as Plainfield Slim told us about the making of his new CD " When The Devil Hits Home" and upcoming music projects he is working on.
Gar Francis' manager, Monique, was also in the studio to assist with information about show dates and exciting blues information for the listeners of WRSU Rutgers Radio.

The title cd track When The Devil Hits Home was played off Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs new cd. Followed up by an other great track of the cd "Lovesick Train". Radio host Rich Skelly was impressed with the songs. Gar is currently playing out with his blues band in the Tri-State area and is playing this weekend at 11:00pm on Labor Day at a New York club called Otto's Shrunken Head on 538 14th Street. That show is hosted by Unsteady Freddie and together with some real cool surfer bands it will be great night. Check MoPromo's web site for details.

Monique brought to the radio studio an great blues cd which Gar Francis produced together with blues diva Jeanne Lozier. The CD is called " Queen Of Your Dreams" . This great Blues album is filled with wonderful original song written by Gar Francis. With surprises like this one. Track No. 5 "Beg and Plead" was recorded with Bernie Brauswetter on guitar and 'Big Nancy' Swarbrick on harp. This track was played which generated interest from a listener who called into the radio last night. That was pretty cool.

One of the topic of the interview was getting the inside scope about the Doughboys and their new single and their up coming new CD release "Act Your Rage".
Listeners had the opportunity to hear the Doughboys new single CD Track " I'm Not Your Man".
This produced new single “I’m Not Your Man”, is picked on Little Steven’s Underground Garage for “Coolest Song In The World” for the week of September 5, 2009.

The Program was concluded with dates of shows for both bands and the one other cool track of Plainfield Slim's new cd "Miss Daisy".
For more information about Gar Francis look at online: www.myspace.com/garfrancis or www.myspace.com/mopromo All cds played last night are available on CDBaby.com

MoPromo Management
908-455-1576

GAR FRANCIS - "ROCKET" Copyright 2009 Gar Francis

New video - ROCKET.

SKYFEST - August 14-16 2009 The weekend started on Friday afternoon with me being a judge for the Battle Of The Bands sponsored by the Express Times Exposed.

The competition had some great quality bands and judging was hard. The Gentlemen's Club & June Bloom were some of my favorites. You can find them on www.myspace.com/thegentlemensmusic and you can find June Bloom on Facebook.com

Other bands at SKYFEST in Delaware,NJ were Dandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams.

This band was awesome; their whole branding of their image is great and cleverly created. Love it!

Robben Ford was at the festival on Saturday night. He gave what his fans were looking for- a great blues night. It was very nice meeting him in person after his show in the VIP tent which was so nicely decorated by Dave & Kacey.

Mell & Kenny did an excellent job on the food and refreshments for the Artist/VIP guests. A specail Thank you to Dan Hirschberg for introducing me to great people at the festival and asking me to be a judge this year. Thank you Dan!

Thank you all guys you did an excellent job with the festival.

SKYFEST was well attended on Saturday night. Night time is my favorite time of the day, where the tents and their lights came to live. The Delaware river valley transformed in a mystical place with an event for young and old to enjoy.

I found at the festival Spider Glen, music director off WNTI radio and Todd and his staff from HomegrownRadio.org the online radio. After meeting with Todd this weekend, HomeGrownRadio has some hot cds to add to their music collection. Todd received from me The Bob Lanza Blues Band new CD " Things Ain't So Bad". The Doughboys cd "It is Now?" and Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs’ cd "When The Devil Hits Home".
All those cds are also available in the county library in Belvidere,NJ to be checked out for free with your library card.

The festival ended on Sunday with the Hector Del Curto. The main tent was dancing even it was over 90 degrees. Everyone had fun this entire weekend.

Besides having the opportunity to see and hear great bands, there were also quality vendors like Great Stuff From Jane's House out of Blairstown,NJ.

Beautiful silver Jewelry was displayed and for sale. Jane’s House is a great place to visit across the street from the Theater downtown Blairstown.

The next festival is on September 5th from Noon - 9PM. For more information please check out their web site: http://www.homegrownradionj.org/

Then there is also a big Fall Festival at WCCC September 17-18-19-20. Details are available on their web site: http://www.wcccfoundation.org/

On Saturday night you can attend a free concert with Peter Tork of the Monkees. Peter Tork is bringing his Shoe Suede Blues band to the stage.

That’s all I got.
Have a great week!

MoPromo

Monique

mgrimme@aol.com