Guitar55 Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 I just got back from Day 2 of the 3rd Annual Guitarbeque, which is a free (2-day) music festival and barbeque contest held across the street from the beach in slowly-resurrecting Asbury Park, NJ. For those of you who don't know, Asbury Park was once a premier vacation spot along the glorious NJ Shore, but over the past twenty years had deteriorated to the point where all the boardwalk attractions were closed and a new condo high-rise was left unfinished like a steel girder skeleton looming over the beach. Over the past few years, though there has been signs of new life, with developers buying the beachfront property, renewed committment from the local government and Bruce Springsteen's series of benefit concerts to aid local charities taking place in the venerable old Convention Hall. That steel hull of a building was also recently demolished. AP is where Bruce got his start at The Stone Pony (where my band happened to play last night). He wrote the beautiful ballad "My City of Ruins" about Asbury Park, but its release on "The Rising" album with its 9/11 theme quickly found resonance with those who personally experienced the aftermath of the terrorist atack in NYC. The universal nature of that song became apparent when it also struck home with the survivors of hurricane Katrina last year. But I digress.... Back to the Guitarbeque... I only got to see two acts each day, but it was well worth it. Local legend Billy Hector, who I was in a band with about 30(!) years ago, got the crowd all revved up yesterday with his electrifying trio dishing out some great Blues/Rock. Billy also finished up yesterday's lineup supporting Hubert Sumlin, but unfortunately I missed their set. The Jim Campilongo Electric Trio laid down some very sick hot country licks. Jim is a great player from San Francisco, now located in NYC. You can hear him on the album by "The Little Willies" which features Norah Jones on vocals and piano. Today, The Vivino Bros Band, Jerry on Sax and Jimmy on guitar (from The Max Weinberg Seven on Late Night with Conan O'Brien) played some gritty, swampy Blues. The festival closed out with a great set by Blue veteran Duke Robillard who played some sweet tunes on a Tele, an LP and a home-made Strat. He also played through a custom-made amp that looked to have 2 speakers, one 12" and one 10". It was labelled "The Duke". Although his playing was fine, the band faltered a few times on one tune and Duke had numerous technical problems (cord coming out of his guitar, pedals cutting out, tuning issues). Nonetheless, the crowd really enjoyed his eclectic presentation. Next year there will hopefully be a 4th annual Guitarbeque and I'd recommend that anyone within driving distance check it out. I'll post some pics soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarisawayoflife21 Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Ill definatly have to try and make the trip down to Asbury Park next year. www.myspace.com/robyourselfblind check us out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar55 Posted July 10, 2006 Author Share Posted July 10, 2006 Here are the pics: THE BILLY HECTOR BAND http://jobonanno.com/stuff/guitarbeque/Hector.jpg THE JIM CAMPILONGO ELECTRIC TRIO http://jobonanno.com/stuff/guitarbeque/Campy.jpg JIMMY VIVINO http://jobonanno.com/stuff/guitarbeque/Vivino.jpg DUKE ROBILLARD http://jobonanno.com/stuff/guitarbeque/Duke.jpg http://jobonanno.com/stuff/guitarbeque/DukeStrat.jpg http://jobonanno.com/stuff/guitarbeque/DukeLP.jpg http://jobonanno.com/stuff/guitarbeque/DukeTele.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarisawayoflife21 Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 What type of guitar is Duke playin' in that first picture? Any idea? www.myspace.com/robyourselfblind check us out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Very cool! BTW - You didn't play in bands with a harp player named Danny Petraitis, did you Guitar55? He would likely have been a fixture in that scene about 20 years ago. Don't know about 30 years ago. Seems just a tad to far back but... It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar Geezer Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Noice!!!!!! Question - was Eddie and the Cruisers filmed in Asbury Park, oar was that just Hollywood Fakery? Lynn G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar55 Posted July 10, 2006 Author Share Posted July 10, 2006 Guitarisawayoflife21 I believe Duke make's some of his own guitars, including that first one and the Strat as well. Neil , I don't know Danny. Geezer I'm pretty sure "Ediie & The Cruisers" was filmed in different places around NJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pappy P Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Duke, Duke. I wish I could've been there for that. He plays very sweet. In a good sorta way. www.birdblues.com My Stuff On Sound Click Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicalhair Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 I haven't made to that yet. I came close to going one year but next year for sure (though I told myself that two years running). check out some comedy I've done: http://louhasspoken.tumblr.com/ My Unitarian Jihad Name: Brother Broadsword of Enlightened Compassion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardtail Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Cool pics of Duke. I would have loved to have been there. I went through Asbury Park more than 10 years ago and the place was dead! Almost as dead as Detroit. I'm glad people are taking an interest in getting it back in shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Ellwood Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Originally posted by Hard Tail: Cool pics of Duke. I would have loved to have been there. I went through Asbury Park more than 10 years ago and the place was dead! Almost as dead as Detroit. I'm glad people are taking an interest in getting it back in shape. Getting Detroit back in shape! Anybody got a spare ARMY with nothing to do for ..oh say.... 10 years that MIGHT do it!! NAWWWWW NOT EVEN!! http://www.thestringnetwork.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardtail Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Originally posted by ellwood: Originally posted by Hard Tail: Cool pics of Duke. I would have loved to have been there. I went through Asbury Park more than 10 years ago and the place was dead! Almost as dead as Detroit. I'm glad people are taking an interest in getting it back in shape. Getting Detroit back in shape! Anybody got a spare ARMY with nothing to do for ..oh say.... 10 years that MIGHT do it!! NAWWWWW NOT EVEN!! Lee, Some years ago before my wife and I were married, we came to MI for a week. I decided to take her downtown. We walked through Hart Plaza, walked by JLA, and had a drink or two at the rotating cocktail lounge in the Ren Cen. Afterwards, I decided to take the wife on a tour up Lake Shore Drive. It was a nice time. Anyway, after that was over, I headed west and ultimately for the Southfield Freeway. That was during the time of major construction. Traffic was jammed for miles. So, I decided to get off at about 5 Mile Road and make my way to Inkster Road. Big mistake. That was one scary freaking ride. The place was dead except for the scumbags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Ellwood Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 GEZZZZ man! you had yourself right in the middle of the home turf of two of the worst gangs in the city! Oh ya on Finkle (5mile rd) all the way to Telegraph going west you where in it and you went right through Brightmoore too WOAH!! DONT DO that again!!! http://www.thestringnetwork.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardtail Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Yeah... it wasn't a good idea. I was wishing during that time that I had Mad Max's car from The Road Warrior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoes Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 That looks like it was a great time! Somethin' about havin' lots of guitar changes during a performance that gets me happy.... gives me GAS but gets me happy non the less. They didn't happen to have a DoBro-Q there for the Guitar-B-Q did they http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/pek63/dobro_q.jpg I still think guitars are like shoes, but louder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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