NJ’s-Hollywood Songwriters Come to NJ Discover: An Evening with FRANKE PREVITE & ARLAN FEILES. TUNE IN Monday March 6th 8 PM with hosts Tara-Jean & Calvin

TUNE IN MONDAY MARCH 6th  8 pm  at    njdiscover.com        ALSO SEEN on YOU TUBE TV, LONG BRANCH COMMUNITY ACCESS TV CHANNEL 20, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY TV, MONMOUTH COUNTY CABLEVISION CHANNEL 77, MONMOUTH COUNTY FIOS CHANNEL 44

It has long been our mantra at NJ Discover to elevate and promote the people and places of New Jersey. We like to think of ourselves as a positive force in the universe. We’ve grown these past six years from being an amazing full service video production company to also a specialized feature news entity fulfilling our mantra and these last few years also becoming a radio and cable TV Live show with an ever expanding audience in New Jersey.

We take a great deal of pride in the content of our character and shows; we never want to go on air just for the sake of hearing ourselves talk. We need diverse, fascinating, unique topics/guests who appeal to the same diverse audience and age demographic. We want everyone to like us (just as if we’re Life Cereal).

Our show on Monday  March 6^th is right on target. Come spend an evening with FRANKE PREVITE (Academy Award for Best Achievement in Music; Best Song for 1987 for Dirty Dancing’s “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”) And ARLAN FEILES (wrote & produced song, “First Time I Saw You” featured in Bruce Willis and John Goodman’s upcoming film “Once Upon A Time in Venice”

We’ll explore the music/business side of life and then segue to some of the personal particulates which make them flourish and achieve such exceptional creativity.

TUNE IN MONDAY MARCH 6^th  8 pm  at    njdiscover.com    ALSO SEEN on YOU TUBE TV, LONG BRANCH COMMUNITY ACCESS TV CHANNEL 20, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY TV, MONMOUTH COUNTY CABLEVISION CHANNEL 77, MONMOUTH COUNTY FIOS CHANNEL 44

FRANKE PREVITE:

He was born and raised in New Brunswick, New Jersey to Franke Previte, Sr., an opera singer.

Franke was with the New Jersey rock quintet Franke and the Knockouts as the singer and songwriter. Previously he had sung with the Oxford Watch Band and the heavy metal band Bull Angus. Franke and the Knockouts were signed by Millennium Records in 1981 and had three U.S. Top 40 singles and two Top 50 albums. Franke and the Knockouts’ biggest single, “Sweetheart”, was written by Previte and Knockout guitarist Billy Elworthy and became a Top 10 hit in 1981. The group’s other two Top 40 hits were “You’re My Girl” and “Without You (Not Another Lonely Night)”. The band switched to Music Corporation of America in 1984, but they split up around 1986. Franke Previte co-wrote music for the hit soundtrack to the 1987 movie Dirty Dancing.

Franke won the Academy Award  for Best Achievement in Music; Best Song for 1987 for Dirty Dancing’s “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” with co-composers John DeNicola and Donald Markowitz.

That same year Previte also received a Golden Globe and a Grammy nomination. Also the song (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life won the ASCAP song of the year award. And recently the song was chosen as ASCAP top 20 songs ever written, landing at number 15. Franke also was chosen as one of America’s top 25 songwriters to represent the USA in a songwriter summit in the USSR. Today Franke helps raise money for the charity THE PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK in Patrick Swayze’s honor. He continues to raise money for the charity with his new band, THE BROTHERHOOD. Franks says ” If you’re a songwriter then you’re in the Brotherhood.”

Franke also is Creative Director for “Decades of Divas” a dazzling musical journey through time with the world’s most influential women of song. DECADES OF DIVAS re-invents and revolutionizes music from the 1940s through the present. Popular New Jersey shore vocalist-dancer Lisa Sherman, the show’s creator, leads an arsenal of singers and musicians across a pair of nightclubs (G-Dog’s Jazz Café and the Roxie Lounge) and straight down Memory Lane, which runs between them, to evoke and pay tribute to the greatest divas we’ve embraced through the decades. Featuring the songs of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Carole King, Janis Joplin, Celine Dion, Donna Summer, Whitney Houston, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Adele and so many more! Indeed, there is something in every genre for EVERY generation to enjoy

www.decadesofdivas.com

DECADES OF DIVAS has performed to rave reviews and wildly enthusiastic audiences since premiering in November, 2014 at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJDECADES OF DIVAS features timeless music to an multigenerational, ageless demographic –a barrage of hits ,capturing one unforgettable song after another, from the 1940s to the present. Core demos: Men & Women 25 and up; LGBT Adaptable in customizable formats and time lengths, with orchestra or core band (4 to 12pieces with horns and violins), and option to insert legacy stars.

FRANKE PREVITE RECEIVING ACADEMY AWARD  IN 1988!!!

YOU TUBE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQS-OTFIC-s

Liza Minnelli and Dudley Moore presenting Franke Previte, John DeNicola and Donald Markowitz the Oscar® for Best Original Song for “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” from “Dirty Dancing” at the 60th Annual Academy Awards® in 1988.

ALSO THIS JUST IN: LISA SHERMAN performing  Broadway and Beyond show April 22 at the Spring Lake Community Theater.

TUNE IN MONDAY MARCH 6th    8 pm  at    njdiscover.com    

ALSO SEEN on YOU TUBE TV, LONG BRANCH COMMUNITY ACCESS TV CHANNEL 20, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY TV, MONMOUTH COUNTY CABLEVISION CHANNEL 77, MONMOUTH COUNTY FIOS CHANNEL 44 

ARLAN FEILES

http://www.arlanfeiles.com

In the tradition of many great troubadours before him, Los Angeles native Arlan Feiles has made his way across the American landscape.  Along the way, Arlan has shared stages and worked with some of the great legends of Music. The Band, The late Warren Zevon, R’n’R Hall of Fame Produce Tom Dowd, Dave Grohl, Hot Tuna, Joan Baez, Richie Havens, Warren Haynes, Dave Mathews, Bob Pollard, and many more.

                “Arlan is a gifted songwriter… with pulsating and passionate performances”

                                                                                              Sandra Schulman- Billboard Magazine

                 Tom Dowd and Chris Blackwell of Island Records signed Arlan to his first record deal. Demos, recorded with Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters fame, became the inspiration for a new album. Tom Dowd and Arlan recorded “Troubled Monkey” that included tracks backed by the legendary group The Band, featuring the late great Levon Helm, the late great Rick Danko, and keyboardist Garth Hudson. 

“Arlan is like a modern Bob Dylan, although he sings a sight better”

                                                                                               Tom Dowd- Producer

              In 1999 Arlan was recruited by award winning composer Stephen Trask to be the first to play his role as The Music Director, Skshp, in the first touring company of the Glam Rock Off Broadway hit show “Hedwig and The Angry Inch”. After the run, Arlan Returned to his new home in Brooklyn to form the group Gift Horse. Who’s hit “Ive Gotta Tell You” was featured in Ed Burns’ Sidewalks of New York. Arlan then went on to record two solo albums with the help of legendary Miami Producer Frank “Rat Bastard “ Falestra. The first, 2005’s “Razing a Nation”, was honored with the “Best Album of the year” award by the Miami New Times. The second album was the highly anticipated “Come Sunday Morning” for new label Not-Pop Records. “Come Sunday Morning” would go on to win the Asbury Music Awards “Best Album of the year” honors as well. Both Albums made strong showings on The Euro Americana chart and enjoyed radio play worldwide.

“Razing a Nation is an American Classic”

                                                                                                  Uncle Mike- Two River Times

        Arlan continues to be extremely busy performing and enjoying a great deal of radio play, and T.V/ Film placements for many of his songs.  Most notably, Ed Burns’ “Sidewalks of New York” and the award winning film “Handsome Harry” starring Steve Buscemi and Jamey Sheridan. Currently you can hear 7 of Arlans songs on the now airing controversial MTV show “16 and Pregnant”.

 “If songwriters were bad weather, Hurricane Arlan would be a category 5…

he’ll blow you away”      Greg Baker- The Miami Herald

In 2012 Arlan released “Weeds Kill The Wild Flowers”. Joined by his group The Broken Hearted, Arlan has put together another great collection of songs that take the listener and Arlan full circle through an Americana voyage of truth and discovery. With Cover Art by Guided By Voices vocalist and collage artist Robert Pollard, this Album is a must own for any Audiofile. John Pfeiffer of the Aquarian says “If Come Sunday Morning was the crown Jewel, Weeds is the King”  Weeds  recently brought Arlan his 3rd  “Album of the Year” honor.  

 “Arlan writes with pinpoint accuracy, sings with unbridled conviction,

and plays his instruments with both soul and precision.”

                                                                                     Greg Trooper – Award winning Americana Songwriter

 2014 Arlan contributed the song ”Wake(Don’t Back Down)”,  to the international trailer for the Academy Award winning film The Dallas Buyers Club. And in 2015 “Step Into My Shoes” for Adam Sandlers The Cobbler Film Soundtrack

2016 wraps up with the release of two new albums. One live album “Arlan Feiles and the Broken Hearted Live From The Strand” featuring Jack Petruzelli, Bess Rogers, Eryn Shewell, Layonne Holmes, Dan Green and Michael Scotto; and the much anticipated new studio album “Stranger” which includes guest appearances by local Asbury talents Emily Grove, Eryn Shewell, and Stacey Smith. We also look forward to two Arlan Feiles songs featured in the upcoming Bruce Willis, John Goodman film “Once Upon a Time in Venice”

                                                                                Action Entertainment!!!

                                                          818-980-0889 

                                                 music@aaandaction.com

TUNE IN MONDAY MARCH 6th  8 pm  at    njdiscover.com    

ALSO SEEN on YOU TUBE TV, LONG BRANCH COMMUNITY ACCESS TV CHANNEL 20, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY TV, MONMOUTH COUNTY CABLEVISION CHANNEL 77, MONMOUTH COUNTY FIOS CHANNEL 44

A SPECIAL HOLIDAY PREVIEW:  The STRAND Theater 94^th Gala December 14^th AND My Day at The STRAND  by Calvin Schwartz   December 3^rd 2016

This article becomes one of those combination platter journalistic efforts, previewing the upcoming 94^th  Gala and delving into the inner workings and people behind the scenes at The Strand as well as reporting on my day exploring the sacred depths and heights of the theater, built in 1922.  I’ve said often, over the past five years, how much I love this theater, replete with that unique, rare, precious art deco ambiance. It was designed to be a Broadway theater because Lakewood back in the 1920’s and 30’s was a vacation destination and the thinking was to bring Broadway shows here, akin to previewing them. I’ve been to many shows and events at The Strand. The acoustics are magical; you can sit anywhere and it’s as if you’re sitting right up front.

Although I’ve been at The Strand often, as a reporter, I’ve never really sat down with the people that bring it to life nor have I gone to those depths in the pit below the orchestra where the music emanates from nor have I attempted to climb the multi-story ladder backstage to change ceiling light bulbs seemingly close to the clouds. Somebody in real life has to do it. I arrived at high noon on Tuesday November 22^nd

It was an old fashioned entry. I rang the street bell and was ushered in by Lori Davis, part of the team of programming energy, creativity and daily mechanics which brings life to the theater. Moments later, I was greeted by Fran Whitney, who’s also on that life line team. One of these days, I’ll write an article called “Women of The Strand” and include Dina Warren who also is part of the theater’s resurgence. Jesse Warren, account manager, walked with me up the front grand stair case. I could hear Annie singing at the top of the stairs. On December 2^nd and 3^rd, they’re staging ‘It’s A Wonderful Life.’  So my hero, George Bailey might also be waiting for me at the top.

Jesse and I sat in a second floor office, overlooking Lakewood’s main street. He’s always this young enthusiastic persona.  We talked 94^th Gala, and the amazing musical line-up for that night and other matters of greasepaint and roars. He thanked theater management, Scott MacFadden, Glen Harrison and Ray Coles for all their support.  Next, he phoned home, actually downstairs, to Chris Everett (absolutely not related to the former tennis player), and summoned him into the interview. Chris is the tech head, Jack of All Trades, the guy who makes people fly and who puts scenery and imagination into production. “This place would not be what it is. He brings this place to life,” Jesse added.

Chris told me, “We make shows happen. Caitlyn Nelson is our assistant. Emily Lovell is our house lighting designer. She puts on a harness, climbs to the ceiling, drops down and hooks to a cage. That’s how lights focus in every show.” Later they showed me the ladder at the rear of the balcony which leads into the ceiling and how she crawls into position. Did I want to climb up and be a good journalist and take some pictures?  “I’m always a good journalist, but a safe one with my two feet anchored firmly at ground level,” I softly responded.

Chris continued, “Tom Frayley does House Audio and Gianni Scalise is the flyman and rigger and positive vibe technician. He climbs a five story ladder and hangs out on a steel catwalk.”  Chris explained how this crew does the work of ten people. Adding to Chris’ all around versatility is the fact that in the production of ‘Beauty and The Beast’ he played a part.

My education of theater 101 behind the scenes continued. The crew has to learn everything before a production. Lighting and sound cues. They have five days to learn it all. That means 22-hour work days. “When it’s a musical production, we live for a week and a half here,” Chris proudly stated. He also reminded me that the technical director(himself) is also the house carpenter. His company is called Sound Foundation Productions.com.

Next was the inner sanctum walking tour to the basement level. Of course I flicked on the lights of the dressing rooms with all those light bulbs watching you put on make up. Imagination was quick to help me with my ‘Frankenstein’ make-up. Yes, I auditioned once when Reagan was President for that part.  An obscure doorway led to the orchestra pit and another small one led underneath the theater itself. It was a crawl space and I don’t crawl anymore. Gianni filled my sensibilities with lore of the theater; stories and legends of its rich history. Early on, a drug store occupied the area where the gallery is located now.   And we’ll leave it at that.  Back upstairs, Emily and Caitlyn were figuring out how to get the box of fluorescent light bulbs up to the clouds above to change the dim bulbs to new bright ones. When I stared up, I had to hold on to the wall for support.

It was time for Jesse to share info about the 94^th Gala which he’s been diligently working on. Big RoaD Productions would be responsible for the best musical line-up they’ve ever had including The Big Road All Star Band. This would be my third Gala attended. And as I do often at the conclusion of my emotional pieces, I exhort readers to get off their sedentary sofa and come on down to The Strand on December 14^th for a very special night. It really is.  Come for the Holiday Music and even the Dinner. Your choice. Here now the specifics of the night.

Wednesday December 14th Join BIG RoaD at The Strand Theater for “A VERY BIG RoaD Christmas” GALA NIGHT AT The Strand Theater!

The Strand Theater is proud to HONOR:

Thomas Jannarone, Owner Bar Anticipation/Attorney

Franke Previte, Academy Award Winning Composer (“Dirty Dancing”)

Steven Levine, Owner, WindMill Restuarants

Michael D’Elia, Committeemen, Lakewood Township

PERFORMING ARE : Bobby Bandiera, Lisa Sherman, Franke Previte, Jillian Rhys McCoy, Eddie Testa, Jobonanno, Joe Ferraro, Jt Bowen, Tommy Byrne

Band is: Ralph Notaro, Vinny Daniele, Joe Bellia, Arne Wendt, Tony Perruso, Bob Ferrel, Tommy Labella

Get your tickets now “A VERY BIG RoaD Christmas” GALA NIGHT AT The Strand Theater!

The Strand Theater

400 Clifton Ave

Lakewood, New Jersey

Tel: (732) 367-7789

Web: http://www.strand.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/StrandNJ

Produced and Presented by:

Terry Camp and Jesse James Warren for BIG RoaD

If you have any questions please feel free to call Jesse Warren at 732-367-7789, ext.204 or by email at jesse@strand.org.

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/105488179931786/

“A VERY BIG RoaD CHRISTMAS” GALA NIGHT AT THE STRAND THEATER!

The Strand Theater presents its 94th Anniversary Gala with “A Very BIG RoaD Christmas!” on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 – A night to celebrate this historic venue and enjoy lively holiday tunes with The BIG RoaD All-Star (Big) Band.

Tickets are $25.00 and doors open at 7:00 p.m. for the 8:00 p.m. show. Guests are also welcome for The Strand’s Gala Dinner and Cocktail Party at 6:00 p.m. – for which tickets are $100.00 (which includes an orchestra seat ticket).

The BIG RoaD All-Star Band is Mark Leimbach, Ralph Notaro, Joe Bellia, Vinny Daniele, Arne Wendt, Tony Perruso, Tommy Labella, and Bobby Ferrel. Vocals by Bobby Bandiera, JT Bowen, Franke Previte, Lisa Sherman, Jillian Rhys McCoy, Eddie Testa,Jo Boanno, Killer Joe and more!

The historic STRAND THEATER, a non-profit 501(c)3, is Ocean County’s premier entertainment venue. THE STRAND opened its doors in 1922 and it shines as brightly today as it did then. Located in historic downtown Lakewood, THE STRAND is easily accessible and offers a wide variety of live entertainment including concerts, dance, musicals, & theater, comic performances, and arts education.

Strand Gala Information- The Board of Directors of the Strand Center for the Arts are pleased to announce the celebration of the theater’s 94th Anniversary. We cordially invite you to join us for our Gala and Holiday Celebration on Wednesday, December 14, 2016. The Gala will begin in the Strand Gallery at 6pm followed by a live performance on our main stage at 8pm. Several area restaurants will be serving their signature dishes and cocktails will also be served.

SPECIAL COMING ATTRACTION: Lisa Sherman, ‘Broadway and Beyond’ with Kristin Cochran and Academy Award Winner Frank Previte. McCloone’s Supper Club  Nov 25^th 2016     by Calvin Schwartz  10-26-16

In the world of central Jersey music, there are a proliferate number of shows/concerts/tributes. Every so often, an upcoming show strikes that chord of promulgation and dissemination. Actually, any show with the extraordinary songstress/diva Lisa Sherman needs mention. Franke Previte, Academy Award winner adds to the special ambiance; as does singer Kristin Cochran. McCloone’s by the Atlantic in Asbury Park equals more ambiance. Then the magic of the holiday season and the day after Thanksgiving. The show is called ‘Broadway and Beyond’ and brought you by Boyd and Previte. Maybe get your tickets early.  Happy Halloween and Happy Thanksgiving.   Calvin Schwartz