Outpost in the Burbs presented Light of Day Winterfest North Jersey: “Songwriters Stripped” on Friday, Jan 11. This benefit show featured Wille Nile, James Maddock, Danielia Cotton, Williams Honor, and Joe D’Urso in a round-robin format, each sharing songs and often collaborating. Opening the show were Jon Caspi, Christine Martucci, Laura Crisci, and Rick Winowski. The concert took place at the First Congregational Church, 40 South Fullerton Ave.
About the Artists:
James Maddock: A rock & roll lifer, James Maddock has been carving his unique path since the 1980s, when the British-born singer/songwriter kicked off his career with a raw, soulful voice; a storyteller’s sense of narrative; and the ability to blur the lines between folk, classic pop, and rock.
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READ: LIGHT OF DAY COMES TO THE OUTPOST AT MONTCLAIR (2018)
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Since those early days in London, he’s ridden the wave of a music industry that’s ebbed, flowed, peaked, and crashed. Maddock has stayed afloat throughout the entire ride, enjoying a brush with commercial success during the late 1990s — including a major-label record deal, a Top 5 AAA radio hit, and a song placement on Dawson’s Creek — before transforming himself into an independent solo artist during the decades that followed. Bruce Springsteen is a fan. So is David Letterman.
Willie Nile: The New York Times called Willie Nile “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years.” His album Streets Of New York was hailed as “a platter for the ages” by UNCUT magazine. Rolling Stone listed The Innocent Ones as one of the “Top Ten Best Under-The-Radar Albums of 2011” and BBC Radio called it “THE rock ‘n’ roll album of the year.”
Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Lou Reed, Lucinda Williams, Jim Jarmusch, and Little Steven are among those who have sung his praises. His album, American Ride, won “Best Rock Album of the Year” at the Independent Music Awards. It appeared on over one hundred year-end Top Ten lists for 2013 and Bono called it, “One of the great guides to unraveling the mystery that is the troubled beauty of America.”
His 2016 album World War Willie appeared on numerous year end top ten lists as did hid his live shows.
Danielia Cotton: Danielia Cotton is a New York City based singer-songwriter originally from Hopewell, NJ. In 2010 Danielia was named Lilith Fair’s Ourstage Local Talent Winner for NYC. Since then she has shared the stage with the likes of Robert Cray, Bon Jovi, and Gregg Allman. In the review of her Rare Child album The NY Times says this: “She’s a belter who can hold back or work her way up to a gospelly blues-rock shout, and in the songs she writes with her band’s brawny guitar riffs, she grapples with the road, salvation, holding on and letting go. “The truth will set you free, but it always feels like it tears you apart,” she sings. She’s a throwback, but a gutsy one.”
Danielia Cotton first picked up a guitar at age 12, released her debut album in 2005 and has opened for the likes of Buddy Guy, Derek Trucks and Bon Jovi. She is still looking for fresh ways to say hello to audiences. Though she’s constantly evolving as an artist, Cotton’s quick to point out that she’s always managed to remain herself. Her most recent album, “The Mystery of Me,” was released in 2017.
Williams Honor: Straight from Asbury Park’s legendary music scene, Williams Honor are unstoppable collision of likeminded influence, chemistry and a true love for country music. Singer and performer powerhouse Reagan Richards and producer/multi-instrumentalist Gordon Brown have come together to show the world their love for modern country by building on the years of tradition, harmonies and story songs the genre continues to pride itself on. After spending years separately in Nashville and never running into each other, they both were writing, recording and touring for other projects and artists. They felt the need to live up to the legend of where they came from with their own version of country by the sea.
Joe D’Urso: Joe D’Urso, an Americana/Jersey Shore style roots rocker who tours and records extensively, began rollicking in the early ’90s. His raw style is keenly similar to the likes of fellow rockers John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan. Joe’s newest album,“Jersey Diner,” will be released in early 2018.
About The Outpost: The all-volunteer Outpost is a nonprofit outreach organization in Montclair dedicated to building community through music, community service, and cultural events. The Outpost has presented more than 400 concerts by internationally known artists such as Judy Collins, Roger McGuinn, Jorma Kaukonen, Jimmy Webb, Richie Havens, Dar Williams, Nick Lowe and The Jayhawks. In addition to promoting and staffing concerts, Outpost volunteers have donated many hours of their time through programs affiliated with Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots, the Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair, MESH (Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless), the Community Food Bank of N.J., Dress for Success, and a soup kitchen run by Outpost volunteers in Orange, NJ.
For more information, visit www.outpostintheburbs.org or call 973-744-6560.