american roots 26 live at the crossroads

American Roots Live 26 down at the Crossroads Wednesday night.

Rob Paparozzi, harp player, blues rapper, Broadway performer, front man of the "Original Blues Brothers Band" with Steve Cropper, Matt Murphy and Lou Marini, took time this week from his current gig; fronting the legendary "Blood, Sweat and Tears", to play Crossroads in Garwood - Friday with his band, The Hudson River Rats featuring Bernard Purdie, and Wednesday night with us at American Roots Live.

Accompanied by Ron Poppa on guitar, John Powers on drums and Robert Z playing bass, Rob Paparozzi honked and hollered through three hot steppers including Sonny Boy's "Pontiac" then, with harmonica and mic-in-hand, jumped behind the piano to rock a right-handed solo, thrilling an already excited crowd.

We also welcomed two new acts at American Roots Live 26; a sparky, talented young, lefty-guitar slinger named Steve McIntyre
We were also thankful to hear one of our favorite Aerican Roots All Stars, Bernie BB Brauswetter buzz through a couple of funky stingers and pleasure us while his guitar weeped "c'mon people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together try and love one another right now" with Copa playing bass and Rob on drums.

Other memorable performances by Josh Gebhardt, Ed Pampani, Bones Sanford, Screamin' Mimi Nowak, Len DePiano, Ray DiGiovanni, Walter Foot, Terry Hunter and Jimmy and more.

When Slim Harpo sang "Where the music's hot," he could have been signing about American Roots Live at the Bluetone Cafe in Easton, PA Thursday night, 'cause, man we were cookin' there, too.

With rain pouring down in sheets and the weatherman screaming about tornados, we had more players in the house than non-players. In fact our audience was about 98% musicians proving that an artist's passion can't be cooled by threats of a funnel cloud. Even with the two birthday parties in the room, there was more heat coming out of the Bluetone Thursday night than just candles burning on cakes!

We were honored to accommodate renowned Philly jazz trumpeter - Ortlieb's own - Roger Prieto, who brought us all back to ol' New Orleans with his muted horn then brass balled serenading.

With a red hot band consisting of AR All Stars Johnny Charles on guitar and Gene Downin on bass, and a little harmonica from my barstool, Roger Prieto smiled and shined while mixing it up with Sonny Young and Chris Hedges, also on guitars (Chris playing slide) and Brian "Bam Bam" Bridge on drums.

Many thanks to one jammin' Jaimo Flynn for his remarkable performance on drums and supreme efforts in guesthosting American Roots Live 26 with Johnny Charles, myself and the steady rollin' bass of Stroudsburg, PA's Chip Bush. Also great performances by Billy K, Vern Mobley of Fusion Jazz Trio, Keith and more.

American Roots Live 26 marked 6 months of constant live celebration of the greatest music in the world - American Roots Music. Many thanks to our venues, ownership and staff, all of the wonderful, talented and dedicated musicians and singers, our sponsors and supporters, and our American Roots volunteers and ambassadors.

Here's looking forward toward the next six months of American Roots Live and beyond. We've got a lot in store for you. Stay tuned.

Keeping it real,

Ned