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Pat Gaudagno- New Jersey MaterialBy: Chuck Dauphin

June 11,2012

If you say the words ‘Jersey Shore’ together, you might not think of

anything too heavy or deep. After all, one of the biggest exports as of late has been Snooki, right? Well, that’s not entirely true. Pat Guadagno has carved out quite the reputation with

his honest performances, and this album does not disappoint. In fact,

one could make a striking comparison to one of the area’s more legitimate

musical performers – Bruce Springsteen, even tipping his hat to the “Boss” on a cover of “Born To

Run,” where he more than handles his job.

He runs the gamut on a vocal level. At times, he delivers his vocals in a rough and rocking manner – like on “Pray That We Will” or the superbly written “People My Age,” which comes courtesy of the genius known as John Gorka.

However, Guadagno is best when he’s a little bit restrained in his style. He turns introspective on the sobering “Nobody But Myself To Blame,” and stays in that vein on “I Can’t Take Me Anywhere.” The album is also notable for a couple of collaborations – with Keb ‘Mo on “This Guitar Is For

MidWestRecordJune 8, 2012

PAT GUADAGNO/New Jersey Material: Every region has one of these local folk rock heroes that everyone knows and loves---in that region. Guadagno fills that bill in Jersey. With an interesting mix of writers and pals on board, this no slouch cat has rubbed shoulders with some of the most august presences, a few of which show

up here. Singer/songwriter (although he didn‘t write any here), folk/rock, call it what you will along those lines, this cat knows how to deliver 3A/adult pop in an engaging fashion that works well throughout. Tasty, zesty and full flavored, ages first condo and up will find this a handy disc to have around. Well done.

ResidentMediaPundit.comPat Guadagno: New Jersey’s Best Kept Secret

By: GregJune 20, 2012

His music has been praised by the New York Times and Guitar World, but to this day Guadagno remains far from the spotlight. This is mostly because Guadagno, has and probably always will, made a career out of finding old, oft-ignored songs and making them his own. He lives by the motto, “there are a ton of great songs out there that need to be heard. My job is to play them.”While it probably won’t receive the attention it deserves, Guadagno’s latest album New Jersey Material is a warm, welcoming and wholly

engrossing disc with very few, if any flaws. The singer-songwriter is anchored by his hearty croon and his deft guitar work. New Jersey Material includes a cover of John Gorka’s jocular “People My Age,” Bruce Springsteen’s classic “Born to Run,” and Shel Silverstein’s “This Guitar is For Sale,” which features guitar work from multiple Grammy-winner Keb Mo’. Guadagno’s daughter Audra sings on “Here’s To You,” and Buck Dharma shares his talents on album opener, “Pray That We Will,” arguably the album’s strongest song and one of the year’s most under-appreciated compositions.New Jersey Material works because there’s some authentic, homespun and timeless about each song. That is to say, these songs are sincere, without pretense and incredibly inviting. Guadagno’s voice is incredibly soulful and can at times be mesmerizing, all-encompassing and unshakeable. While all of the aforementioned covers are indeed standout songs, so too is the Irish sea chanty “Ships,” and the gorgeous and intricate narrative “The Dutchman.” Though there only three songs about defeated relationships, each of them are impacting, indelible and hard to turn away from. “You Never Even Tried,” takes an honest and direct look at hindsight, while “Nobody But Myself to Blame,” channels self-defeat. But of the three, few are better than the rollicking “I Can’t Take Me Anywhere.” How or why this song has not been covered by a bigger name and not charted on radio remains to be seen. New Jersey Material closes with the near-perfect “Sanctuary,” a perfect summation of Guadagno’s music and this album: soulful, deeply resonant and undeniably endearing. He may be in his 50s, he may not be well-known and he may only tour his beloved Garden State, but talent like this deserves a wider audience. New Jersey Material is proof of that.

JerseyBeat.comPat Guadagno- New Jersey

MaterialBy: Joe Wawryniak

Sporting an appealingly raspy voice, a clean and straightforward style of dynamic guitar playing, and a wonderful knack for bringing a simple song to exceptionally exciting and energetic life, singer, guitarist, and troubadour Pat Guadagno covers fourteen uniformly excellent songs with a laid-back skill and engaging ease that’s a total tuneful treat to behold. Better still, there’s a tremendous sense of warmth, harmony, and a marvelously wholehearted passion for music permeating every last lovely glowing note. Guadagno wisely keeps the arrangements spare, tight, and uncluttered, with no flashy show-off pyrotechnics and a laudable noted emphasis on both the plain-spoken poetry of the lyrics and the basic sweet sound of the pretty melodies. A lovely album.

CountryJukeBox.de/index.htmPat Guadagno New Jersey Material

By: Max W. Achatz

He's in the "Garden State" New Jersey Headquartered singer, songwriter and guitarist PAT Guadagno followed his career in many ways, without ever having to

go off his own. The new CD he called simply New Jersey material. His spartan, minimalist approach is unique. The almost magical appeal that results from the

combination of times stoic, at times mesmerizing elements of a wonderful voice and an unerring instinct for just the right mix of blues, folk, pop, roots, country and

Americana. Without major gesture!

Focusonthe615.comAlbum Review: New Jersey Material by Pat Guadagno

By: PatricaJuly 14, 2012

This new This new albumalbum by by Pat GuadagnoPat Guadagno is a mix of classic is a mix of classic rockrock with electric guitars with almost a with electric guitars with almost a Spanish feel similar to that of Santana with the song Spanish feel similar to that of Santana with the song “Pray That We Will”“Pray That We Will”, which was the lead , which was the lead song, to songs with more of an Americana feel like song, to songs with more of an Americana feel like “You Never Even Tried”“You Never Even Tried”, then switched to a , then switched to a song with Scotch-Irish influences: song with Scotch-Irish influences: “Gravedigger”“Gravedigger”..   An eclectic mix of songs, for sure. An eclectic mix of songs, for sure.    Even Even included an acoustic cover of Bruce Springsteen’s included an acoustic cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born To Run”“Born To Run”. .    Pat GuadagnoPat Guadagno‘s gritty voice‘s gritty voice is soothing and honest, not great, but it just flows out naturally.is soothing and honest, not great, but it just flows out naturally.   This is an artist who seems to This is an artist who seems to have honed his craft through travels with many years on the road and that is reflected in his have honed his craft through travels with many years on the road and that is reflected in his music.music.   At least, that’s my guess. At least, that’s my guess.   Someone who has seen the world and his music reflects that. Someone who has seen the world and his music reflects that.Most of the songs were stripped down to simple acoustic, tell a story, and filled with intricate Most of the songs were stripped down to simple acoustic, tell a story, and filled with intricate guitar playing.guitar playing.My least favorite song was My least favorite song was “People My Age”“People My Age”..   I just wasn’t crazy about the lyrics or the song as I just wasn’t crazy about the lyrics or the song as a whole.a whole.   Too simple and stripped down. Too simple and stripped down.My favorite songs from the album were My favorite songs from the album were “Pray That We Will”“Pray That We Will” and and “I Can’t Take Me “I Can’t Take Me Anywhere”Anywhere”..   I enjoyed I enjoyed “Pray That We Will”“Pray That We Will” for the intricate guitar playing, gritty voice, and for the intricate guitar playing, gritty voice, and darker melody with a slight Spanish influence that hinted of Santana.darker melody with a slight Spanish influence that hinted of Santana.   I, also, liked I, also, liked “I Can’t Take“I Can’t Take Me Anywhere”Me Anywhere”, which might possibly fit on today’s country , which might possibly fit on today’s country radioradio..   It was a nice, mid-tempo It was a nice, mid-tempo song and his voice less gritty on this one.song and his voice less gritty on this one.Overall, I think this was an enjoyable album with a mix of songs that might appeal to many Overall, I think this was an enjoyable album with a mix of songs that might appeal to many people with its many genres it can be placed into, but I see more of an older crowd in late 30s up people with its many genres it can be placed into, but I see more of an older crowd in late 30s up enjoying it more.enjoying it more.   However, I don’t think it’s one that would receive much, if any, airplay and I However, I don’t think it’s one that would receive much, if any, airplay and I don’t see any huge commercial appeal.don’t see any huge commercial appeal.   It’s hard to even place the album into one musical genre, It’s hard to even place the album into one musical genre, but I don’t believe the artist was going for that.but I don’t believe the artist was going for that.   It’s a good effort, but not great. It’s a good effort, but not great.   I think he just I think he just wanted to record songs that he enjoys without being pigeon-holed into any one category.wanted to record songs that he enjoys without being pigeon-holed into any one category.I noted that he did not appear to have written any of the songs and one thing I really respect is aI noted that he did not appear to have written any of the songs and one thing I really respect is a

songwriter. Where he lacks in songwriting, he more than makes up for in guitarsongwriter. Where he lacks in songwriting, he more than makes up for in guitar picking picking..

FeaturesTheAquarian.com

Local Noise: Pat GuadagnoBy: Hal B. Selzer

June 27, 2012

“I never made it to the Ed Sullivan Show, but I sang the national anthem at Giants

Stadium before a Cowboys game, that was a goal,” laughs Pat Guadagno, talking about what he hopes to accomplish with his music. “I heard Vin Scelsa play one of my records on his radio program; that was too. It may sound corny, but my real goal has always been to touch people with the music that comes from my soul. There is no feeling like that of being connected to someone across the room from you. I hope to never get used to it, expect it to happen, or understand where it comes from.”

Pat has been a major figure at the Jersey Shore for years, almost reaching legendary status with his constant performing, and his work on benefit shows with Big Joe Henry, the famed radio voice from NJ 101.5. So it may come as a surprise to many that it has taken him until now to put out his first studio CD, New Jersey Material. “As a ‘saloon singer,’ I do 10 shows a week in the summer, and in the winter months I try and book Mexico, Puerto Rico, Key West, and warmer climates. So carving the time out to record is difficult.”

The album is unusual in that it’s all songs that Pat has come to love over the years by other artists. He is a unique “song stylist,” in that he has a way of interpreting the music to make it his own. Whether it’s a serious song, or a fun romp such as “People My Age,” he is able to reach out and grab your ear. And what musician hasn’t felt the feelings he expresses in “This Guitar Is For Sale?”

Besides the heartfelt and expressive lyrical content, Pat has developed a finger picking style that rivals anyone you might hear on any stage. Adding to it are guest appearances by such notable musicians as blues guitarist Keb’ Mo’, and Blue Oyster Cult guitarist Buck Dharma. “Rather than go out and find technicians to play the notes I feel belong on the track, I select musicians I like and admire to put a little bit of themselves on my record,” says Pat. “I have been blessed with excellent musicians who are fun to hang with. My core guys are Phil “Red River” Rizzo, Rich Oddo and Rene Wolley. Guests also included Harry Stinson, Joe Peterson, and Rob Paparozzi.”

Though it took Pat a long time to put out the CD, he actually started tracks for it a long while ago. “The first tracks were recorded in Nashville in 1997. It moved through three or four different studios, adding and subtracting, until Buck Dharma played the definitive guitar part on there a few years back and it was done. Some tracks were lost and had to be redone when one of the studios I was working at, in New Orleans, was hit and destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.”

The album has folk, country, and rock influences, and even some pop similarities to Matchbox Twenty or Dave Matthews. “When I am asked to describe my music, I am a folk singer and I play folk music,” states Pat. “There are country influences because I find so much of my material in Nashville, where I go as often as I can, just so I don’t lose that country influence.” As far as other influences, there are many that aren’t household names, as you might expect. “I have to say Richie Havens and Joe Cocker right off the bat, because they were unafraid, and successful, at taking other peoples music and making it their own. It is a time honored craft that doesn’t get much industry respect in the ‘singer-songwriter’ era we are in. The world forgot about Jule Styne and Tin Pan Alley. And as a performer, any guitar player from New Jersey who has ever seen Springsteen on stage was influenced by him. I saw him at a YMCA dance and saved up for a green Epiphone.”

When you go to a Pat Guadagno show, you’ll hear great versions of songs you know, as well as forgotten classics. “This album is mostly songs that you can’t listen to while watching a hockey game, so I don’t do a lot of them in clubs,” he explains. “On rare occasion I’ll play ‘Gravedigger,’ just to test it out and see if everyone loves it as much as I do, and it always stuns them.”

Pat’s artistry has attracted fans from the music world as well, which is how Keb’ Mo’ ended up on the recording. “I opened a couple of shows for Keb’, who happens to be an excellent musician and a good hang,” Pat recalls. “He liked one of the songs I did and offered to play on the track if I ever recorded it. Keb’s free time dwindled considerably after every Grammy, but we managed to hook up on his last tour through New Jersey.”

One of the bigger shows Pat does every year is BobFest, which happened last month at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. The show has become an annual event on Dylan’s birthday. The show originated out of a jam session at the Downtown Café in Red Bank. “We were playing ‘see how many Dylan songs the fat guy can sing’ game,” Pat laughs.

If you’re a music fan, you owe it to yourself to check out Pat at one of his local shore haunts, which he’ll be hitting with extreme regularity this summer.

“There are a ton of great songs out there that need to be heard,” is how Pat sums up his life as a minstrel. “My job is to play them.” You can find out where to see Pat at patguadagno.com.

TheTrentanian.comRock On! With Danny Coleman’s Weekly Picks

By: Danny ColemanJuly 12, 2012

Monmouth County resident and long time Jersey shore area veteran musician Pat Guadagno has been playing guitar “since Christ was a cowboy” and calls himself “a saloon singer.”His list of accomplishments and accolades says something else.

With at least five CDs to his credit, including a Christmas and a live disc in the collection, Guadagno has honed his playing and recording skills over the years, doing so in The Garden State as well as abroad. Playing shows everywhere from locally with percussion player Richard Blackwell to Key West, Guadagno also journeys south to Nashville up to four times a year in pursuit of music.

“I spend a lot of time there (Nashville),” Guadagno said.“My formula is, I travel around looking for music. I get down there three or four times a year. I used some Nashville players on my latest CD.”Spending time in Nashville has had a profound effect on Guadagno’s music. I asked him into what genre he felt his music fell, and he seemed a bit unsure.

“I have a hard time with this when asked,” he said. I’ve always considered myself a folk artist, but then with all of my Nashville trips, I have a country influence. When this new style

they call “Americana” came to be, I found that I fit in with that well (laughs). I don’t know, I just call myself a saloon singer.”

The “latest CD” that he refers to, is a collection of songs that are written by other artists ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Todd Sherman called “New Jersey Material.” One particular track off of the disc that seemingly brings great pleasure to Guadagno is “This Guitar Is For Sale” a track that he recorded with well known blues guitarist Keb’ Mo’ while in Nashville. “I’ve shared the stage with or opened for Stevie Ray Vaughn, B.B. King, America and Peter,Paul & Mary; playing with Keb’ Mo’ was special.”Using a strong strumming technique and gentle melodic finger picking, Guadagno’s style, content

and interpretation of others material, grabs you by the ears and forces you to listen. I was particularly fond of his acoustic remake of Springsteen’s “Born To Run.” I asked his opinion on today’s acoustic music or music in general and he spoke of how things seem to go in cycles. “I’ve been playing acoustic music for years, it kind of goes in waves. I think though, at least right now with the developement of the Americana music, we’re riding another wave in that direction.”

Along with his solo career, Guadagno has a handful of side projects and donates his time to several charities including a yearly Christmas show with New Jersey 101.5 personality “Big Joe” Henry. “I’ve done Joe’s show for the last ten years, it benefits grass roots local children charities, I enjoy being involved.”

Guadagno also has an a cappella quartet that specializes in singing The National Anthem and has done so at events all around the U.S. “The Candle Brothers” have sung prior to Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Trenton Thunder and New York Giants games as well as at the inauguration of

Governor Chris Christie.

Bobfest Featuretrtnj.com

Bobfest ‘12, A celebration of Dylan’s 71st

By: Uncle MikeJune 1, 2012

RED BANK – While Bob Dylan was off celebrating his recent Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest civilian award that our nation has to offer) and his 71st birthday, Pat Guadagno and his Tired Horses were busy paying tribute to the American icon just as they have been doing for the past 15 years, with another mind-boggling performance at Bobfest ‘12 – A Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration.Hosted by 101.5 FM’s Big Joe Henry, for the first time in its illustrious history Bobfest was held at the Count Basie Theatre. And, I must say that Pat Guadagno and the Tired Horses, along with this year’s special guests, Rob Papparozzi (harmonica/vocals), Jeff Levine (Hammond B3 organ), Steve Rielly (acoustic guitar/vocals), John Philippidis (acoustic guitar) and Aura Guadagno (vocals), had no trouble settling in at the venerable old music hall.

Kicking the night off with an inspired rendition of Tangled Up In Blue, Pat Guadagno (lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars) and Tired Horses, Rich Oddo (electric guitar, vocals), Phil “Red River” Rizzo (bass/vocals), Steve Delopoulos (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Marc Muller (pedal steel guitar, mandolin, electric guitar, vocals), Rene Woolley (drums), Andy McDonough (keyboard, accordion, vocals), Yuri Turchin (violin) and Mary McCrink (vocals, tambourine) never looked back as they easily won over the enthusiastic crowd.

Some of the first set’s more impressive moments came on Dylan gems like Sweetheart Like You (Pat Guadagno in fine voice, mournful harmonica and violin), Watching the River Flow (with Rob Papparozzi on vocals the Horses blues it up/great vibe and feel, crowd favorite), Oh, Sister (Steve Delopoulos chips in with a most moving lead vocal), Lily, Rosemary and the Jack Of Hearts (Pat G. nails vocal/tight band number), Ring Them Bells (Mary McCrink soars on lead vocals/Steve D. also up to the task), It Takes A Lot to Laugh, It Takes A Train to Cry (way cool laidback, down home vibe with Marc Muller on lead vocals and electric g.), Tweeter And The Monkey Man (featured Rich Oddo on lead vocals, big, bad, band number on Dylan and Wilbury’s ode to Jersey, huge cheers), I Shall Be Released (Red River on lead vocal/in honor of Levon, Rick and Richard of The Band), Hazel (one of Pat’s very best vocal efforts), Tough Mama (Horses rock with Rich and Pat on electric guitar), This Wheel’s On Fire (killer P.G. vocal/forget the wheel the whole band’s on fire!) and Forever Young (wonderful first set closer with Pat and Aura Guadagno on vocals, Marc’s pedal steel guitar oh yeah!).

As for the second half of the show, Andy McDonough, Rob Papparozzi and Jeff Levine got the crowd’s attention with a soulful interpretation of Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right, after which Pat and Tired Horses came out like gangbusters with rockin’ renditions of Rambling, Gambling Willie (Steve Rielly gets in on the action with hot lead vocals and acoustic guitar), Tombstone Blues (Guadagno and Tired Horses perfect together), Trust Yourself (Mary out of this world with show stopping vocal, Jeff kills on Hammond B), Every Grain of Sand (great Steve D. vocal, Yuri works his magic on violin, a true beauty), Senor (Tales of Yankee Power) (monster ballad with Pat and Steve D. on lead vocals and John Philippidis on acostic guitar), Romance in Durango (Pat, Mary and the Horses head south of the border, terrific number), The Groom’s Still Standing At The Alter (Steve P. at his absolute best on lead vocals as Horses kick up their heels), Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again (classic Dylan and Guadagno garners partial standing ovation), Hurricane (Pat sings and plays the hell out of this one,

Yuri does his best Nero as Rene Woolley and the Horses burn/another partial standing o.), Blowin’ in the Wind (Steve P., Mary and P.G. share vocals on this wonderfully gorgeous version, standing o), Mr. Tambourine Man (band gets standing ovation with everyone on vocals) and Like A Rolling Stone (everybody up for this rousing closer).

Look, Pat Guadagno, his band the Tired Horses and all of this year’s special guests upheld Bobfest’s longstanding tradition of excellence with outstanding musicianship and stellar vocal efforts. If you are a Bob Dylan fan or just a lover of great music, year after year. Bobfest is a must see. And now that Bobfest has moved to the Count Basie Theatre lets all hope that one of Red Bank’s hipper traditions has found a permanent home for many years to come!Produced by co-founder Tom Moog the concert benefited the local charity the Rock & Roll Music Fund and the Anthony X. Guadagno Scholarship Fund. Established in honor and memory of Berklee College of Music alumnus bassist Tony Guadagno, the endowed scholarship is awarded each year to an outstanding bass player from New Jersey who displays a passion for rock and roll.

Seen & Heard

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE REVERED SALOON SINGER PAT GUADAGNOTO RELEASE LONG-AWAITED, TIMELESS PASSION PROJECTENTITLED   NEW JERSEY MATERIAL

 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 15, 2012)—New Jersey’s native son and veteran acoustic

guitar slinger, Pat Guadagno is pleased to announce the release of his sophomore full-length record,NEW JERSEY MATERIAL.** The album, to officially be revealed

June 26, 2012, is what Guadagno introduces as some of the best tunes Garden State songwriters have ever harvested.

 The NEW JERSEY MATERIAL release has been a long time coming for Guadagno and friends. The project’s genesis came to the performer more than fifteen years

ago after an impromptu Nashville recording of track one, “Pray That We Will,” cemented his passion and premise behind the compilation that Guadagno

teasingly identifies as the “millennium project.” 

From idea, to production, to “wrap,” NEW JERSEY MATERIAL has already withstood the test of time. Through blood, sweat and tears, life, death, and the wrath of Mother Nature, all 14 tracks are truly a symbol of rebirth and renewal

delivered by a musical interpreter from the Jersey Shore who paints with a different brush and a different stroke to make the project a masterpiece of his own.

 “I’m not saying it was ‘The Odyssey,’ trying to get the record made and wrapped, but, at times, it sure as hell felt like it!,” Guadagno explains. “Since starting the process, I’ve become a grandfather, Hurricane Katrina struck our recording studio

and tracks were destroyed, and I lost some of my friends in music, writers and collaborators who helped make the record a reality. Regardless of the time between start to finish, we have a great record on our hands–something I am very proud of.”

 The CD is full of surprises that are revealed naturally for Pat Guadagno: simplistic

lyrics and story lines are brought to life by acoustic guitar runs that dance with fiddle, while up-tempo cuts are backed by subtle electric guitar riffs and rhythmic

drum beats. Capturing the New Jersey musical legacy, Guadagno takes on the quintessential favorite “Born To Run”- worthy of “The Boss”– performed as if it were

a love song and recorded live before a room full of rowdy patrons. Other songwriters whose talents are artistically portrayed include Kevin “Bird”

Connair/Asbury Park (“You Never Even Tried” and “Sanctuary”) and Daniel Petraitis (“Pray That We Will” and “Carousel”). Grammy-award winner Keb’ Mo’ joins Pat on

the Silverstein co-write “This Guitar Is For Sale” while his daughter, Aura Guadagno, makes a special appearance to lend her familial harmony to “Here’s To You.”

 “I can hear the bayou and the roots music that infiltrated our consciousness during

our time in New Orleans and Nashville and wanted to incorporate that into the work,” Guadagno shares. “This album pays homage to New Jersey creatives while

still showcasing the flavors that make up American music geographically. Although some of the songwriters may be unknown to commercial radio, these song crafters are right at home and in good company with the stellar writers Springsteen, Smith

and Hill and I felt compelled to introduce them as such.” 

The record augments his summer schedule, which includes the 15th Annual BobFest on May 24 scheduled to be held in Red Bank, New Jersey and NEW JERSEY

MATERIAL will be officially celebrated with an album release party at New York’s legendary Bitter End on May 30, 2012. The CD will be available via all major Internet

retail outlets (including iTunes Amazon, Rhapsody, etc.) onJune 26, 2012.  

For additional information about the release and Guadagno’s tour dates, please visithttp://www.patguadagno.com.

 

###P/R & MEDIA CONTACT:

Music City Media • Kat Atwood • katwood@musiccitymedia.com**To request a review copy, hit “reply.”

Event Information

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Cut By Cut

NEW JERSEY MATERIALThe tracks are filled with riveting guitar licks and intriguing lyrical content to capture and captivate a youthful ear while vocally bridging the gap between present and past, the young at heart and the old soul, with musical narratives that are brought to life in a raw, rootsy production. All in all, NEW JERSEY MATERIAL is truly timeless.“Pray That We Will” (WITH BUCK DHARMA)(Daniel Petraitis)[THE FINGERED GUITAR AND DELIBERATE VIOLIN INTRO EASES LISTENERS INTO THIS SPIRITUAL SONG THAT BEAMS INSPIRATION WITH A DETERMINED REALISM SETTING THE OVERALL TONE OF THE ENTIRE ALBUM.] This was the first song that we all recorded together and was the impetus for the NEW JERSEY MATERIAL project. The energy we all had here during just this one recording was enough to carry me from start to finish. I think this song is a personification of how I live my life--Petraitis nailed it with every line.“NEVER EVEN TRIED”(Kevin “Bird” Connair)[THE SIMPLE ARRANGEMENT ALLOWS FOR THE LYRICAL CONTENT TO SHINE. A CATALOGUE OF DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITY, STEEPED WITH REGRETS AND LONGING FOR THE RETURN OF A LOVED ONE. ] Remembering the talents of a great friend every time I hear this song. The production for this one was easy. The song is as straightforward as they come but speaks so much truth about just how much love can hurt. Guitar. Bass. Violin. It sounds so great with very little instrumentation.“GRAVEDIGGER”(Joe Keenan)[AN IRISH STORYTELLING SONG THAT SINGS OF GYPSIES AND GRAVEDIGGERS, WITH AN INFECTIOUS LILT THAT TRANSPORTS THE LISTENER SEEMLESSLY TO ANOTHER LAND.] These vocals were a surprise to me too! I must have called upon something (or someone) Irish from deep inside. This is a contemporary song that just carries the listener away. This is a tremendous story song that Joe Keenan penned--a shanty that stands up with the very best of them.“PEOPLE MY AGE”(John Gorka)[WITH A FUN, TRADITIONAL COUNTRY VIBE, THIS TUNE WAS WRITTEN TO SHOW A MORE HUMOROUS SIDE TO GETTING OLD.] I am completely self-deprecating on this one – but you cannot get more honest than these lines – and I know from start to finish on NEW JERSEY MATERIAL, that these words became even truer. Rich Morris’ mandolin picking elevates the production making “People My Age” sound like a traditional song in Randy Newman style!

“SHIPS”(Tom Kimmel/Michael Lille)[FEATURING CELLO, ACOUSTIC GUITAR AND HARMONICA, THIS CUT TAKES LISTENER INTO THE HIGH-TIDE. THE CELLO INTRO MIMICKS A SHIP’S HORN TO

PAINT AN IMMEDIATE PICTURE OF SEA WAVES, CARRIED BY A FLOATING, LAID-BACK PRODUCTION AND PROVOKING LYRICISM.] The cello, harmonica and guitar wave in and out throughout “Ships.” Taking the old adage and turning it into a full song was ambitious, but the result is beautiful. Lille and Kimmel did a wonderful job of articulating the purpose of a life well- lived.CONTINUED...“NOBODY BUTMYSELFTO BLAME”(Gordon Vincent)[WITH GUITAR PLAY REMINISCENT OF JAMES TAYLOR, VOCALS HIGHLIGHT THE ACHE OF REGRET; THE STRIPPED INSTRUMENTATION ACCENTUATES UNDENIABLE VULNERABILITY.] Lyrically, this song teaches about recovery from heartache and taking responsibility for the “one that got away.” I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Gordon Vincent looks you right in the eye. He knows everything. There is no escape.“I CAN’T TAKE ME ANYWHERE”(Jeff Childress/Byron Hill)[A MID-TEMPO, MID-SUMMER, RIDING WITH THE TOP DOWN CUT THAT IS NOTICEABLY MORE COUNTRY THAN THE REST OF THE RECORD, YET FITS COMFORTABLY WITH THE STELLAR GUITAR WORK AND POIGNANT LYRICS.] It seems appropriate that we ‘found’ this track drinking at Bobby’s Idle Hour on Music Row. This one is country to the bone and pretty upbeat despite the lyrics. Rich Oddo’s Fender Strat elevates the track.“THE DUTCHMAN”(Michael Peter Smith)[A STORY SONG WITH MELODIC DEPTH SUPPORTED BY A SORROWFUL HARMONICA AND WELL-PLACED SIMPLISTIC HARMONIES.] To cover of a song I truly respect was honor enough. With writing like this, it’s no surprise so many artists love it. Folks like Bernard Wrigley, John Gorka, Steve Goodman, Suzy Bogguss, Anne Hills, John McDermott, The New Kingston Trio and Robert James Waller have tackled “The Dutchman,” so I kept my version clean and simple.“BORN TO RUN”(Bruce Springsteen)[LIVE VERSION OF A WORLD FAMOUS HIT FROM THE BOSS’ CANON. THE ACOUSTIC ARRANGEMENT DELIVERS THE LYRIC LIKE A LOVE SONG--CEMENTED WITH GUADAGNO’S RAW AND REFLECTIVE VOCALS.] This was gutsy to cover, I know! The help from the crowd makes this extraordinary; I feel it captured the greatness of Springsteen (and what album honoring New Jersey writers would be complete without a good Springsteen pick?). This stripped down version does not replace, but complements the original.

“THIS GUITAR IS FOR SALE” (Fred Koller/Shel Silverstein) [RESONATOR GUITAR WEEPS FOR THE LIFE OF AN OLD GUITAR. A TRUE LOVE LETTER TO THE PARTNER THAT IS INSTRUMENTAL IN LIFE AND ON THE ROAD.] I have yet to meet anyone who didn’t have a soft spot for Shel Silverstein and this song sums up the life of a troubadour. Sometimes, we want to give up, but the love for the old guitar (like a lifetime friend) always keeps us going. Keb’Mo’ shares his supreme talent on guitar and foot stompin.’ I am

forever indebted to him for being a part of this project.“CAROUSEL”(Daniel Petraitis)[ACCORDION AND HARMONICA CALL UPON THE OLD TIMEY DAYS ON THE BOARDWALK ENJOYING THE CAROUSEL, ALL THE WHILE REFLECTING ON LIFE IN THE MIRROR THAT GOES ROUND AND ROUND.] Petraitis wrote this song on the Flying Horses in Martha’s Vineyard, the oldest working carousel in the country. He is unrivaled at metaphor creation and captures the similarities between the fair attraction and life so articulately.“HERE’S TO YOU”(Todd Sherman)[FAMILIAL HARMONIES ADD RICHNESS AND DEPTH TO A LOVE-SOAKED TOAST SONG.]I always enjoy singing with Aura, my daughter and this is a great song for special occasions. This was a great song to record together and I dedicate it to everyone who helped on this record. Here’s to the great artists who shared in this journey!CONTINUED...“DANCER”(Steven Delopoulos)[HONEST VOCALS FROM GUADAGNO AND WRITER DELOPOULOS AS THEY SING THIS REFLECTIVE SONG. A MELODIC CELLO SWEEPS THE LISTENER THROUGH LIFE’S JOURNEY CONCLUDED BY HYMN-LIKE HARMONIES THAT COMPLEMENT AND CAPTURE WITH PERFECTION, THE END OF LIFE’S JOURNEY.] Delopoulos is as great a person as he is a writer and artist. I enjoyed working with him to take on this song. This track really spoke to me through its use of metaphor and I enjoy the theme of looking back on a full life. I would not trade a second of mine.“SANCTUARY”(Kevin “Bird” Connair)[VOCALS AND GUITAR DANCE INTIMATELY--EVERY VOCAL AND STRING NUANCE IS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE NAKED VERSION.]This is my love letter to a great friend using his own song. We lost a dear friend in “Bird” and I

needed to end the album with this devotion and dedication. My guitar and I sent this one up.

TALKING POINTS

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