Peter Ferreri

by: Peter Ferreri

The "RIGHT STUFF" is a term often associated with the New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) as their 1988 hit is arguably their biggest. The simple verses, catchy pop vocals and dancing has stayed in pop culture lore some 30 years later. As each of the members embarked on many endeavors over that time span, one new kid truly shows he has the right stuff as he held a benefit concert to raise $759k to Help Kids with Autism For Generation Rescue along with his wife Jenny McCarthy. It is reported that funds raised at this year's event will be allocated to build integrative health clinics in Missouri and Illinois.

Photo by Brian Babineau - courtesy of Generation Rescue

I had the pleasure of attending the red carpet along with the concert itself at the historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL. The New Kids were just in the Chicagoland Area on their Total Package tour along with Boyz II Men and Paula Abdul. From the expectations of last year years One Night with Donnie Wahlberg, this year's Another Evening with Donnie Wahlberg & Special Guests exceeded last year's show both in monetary gain for Generation Rescue, but also that of excitement and enjoyment of the crowd. One crowd member spoke to me while waiting for the red carpet to begin and stated she drove from the northern part of Atlanta to see this show. I had other people sitting around me at the venue stating this is a "small sample" of what the excitement is on the NKOTB cruises. 

On the red carpet, members of Naughty by Nature shared how excited they were to be part of this show, as they had a cousin who has Autism (see video from our EDGE Facebook LIVE below to see interview or click here). After seeing the walk the red carpet, I knew they were to take the stage as surprise guests later.

Photo by Brian Babineau - courtesy of Generation Rescue

Jenny McCarthy met the media and thanked all for being there and explained about the cause and what it meant to her. Jenny opened the show with an emotional speech, what was in store and what it meant to have her husband Donnie embrace her and her family since their marriage. She then introduced her husband to an electric applause as the show was to begin.

Photo by Brian Babineau - courtesy of Generation Rescue

Donnie started with some kind words and a newer song Thankful from the NKOTB new EP. The crowd's excitement hit a peak as he followed the song with Remix with fellow New Kid Joey McIntyre. After the excitement of one New Kid, at other points of the night both Jordan Knight and Danny Wood joined in the fun to sing either solo songs, or classics such as Jackson 5's I'll Be There (a staple of New Kids concerts in the late 80's). Donnie jumped to the middle of the crowd to share how much this event meant not only to him, but his wife, in a tearful speech while she smiled from the balcony. One could hear many fans saying aloud "Oh, he's crying," as to which he wasn't afraid to share his emotions. He also displayed a check to the crowd in reference to his personal donation.

Photo by Brian Babineau - courtesy of Generation Rescue

A youth choir (Chicago Children's Choir) joined to be background for a handful of songs intermittently throughout the evening. The momentum built as Naughty by Nature hit the stage to perform hits such as O.P.P. and Hip Hop Hooray. They shared a moment with Donnie on their encounters with Autism and had the whole crowd on their feet. 

A highlight of the evening was Donnie stated he wanted to perform his favorite NKOTB song which he recorded all of 30 years ago, I Need You off their Hangin' Tough Album. He admitted his voice was tired because of the lengthy tour, but it wasn't much needed when he had the crowd sing along to Cover Girl. 

In another exciting twist, two members of Boyz II Men appeared on stage and sang along with NKOTB to One Sweet Day as the fans sang the Mariah Carey parts of the song. The energy reached a crescendo when all performers hit stage singing Motown Philly.

Photo by Brian Babineau - courtesy of Generation Rescue

Other select New Kids songs performed were Dirty Dancing and One Song off THE BLOCK album. You knew the ending was going to be a high point as once again all performers singing a medley of The Right Stuff / Hangin' Tough. The crowd went to a frenzy as confetti canons exploded and all waved along to the New Kids classics. 

Fans in the crowd knew the show was over but still chanted for one more song, and even though it never came, everyone left feeling like they just left a 1991 summer concert at the Rosemont Horizon.  Having experienced large arena shows for NKOTB, it was cool to experience this smaller setting for a change.  After seeing both Joey McIntyre and Jordan Knight perform solo at the House of Blues in Chicago and this was close to that in terms of size.   Almost like being in the crowd of the 1989 VHS of Hangin' Tough Live!  Now that would be a dream.  I’ve actually had the crazy opportunity to perform twice with Jordan in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska about 10 years ago, but that is a blog post for another day.

Photo by Brian Babineau - courtesy of Generation Rescue

Although the size has been pared down, the message is bigger and obviously more meaningful to Donnie and his family. 20 years ago it was to entertain millions of fans, now he uses his celebrity to help those in need. I encourage people to stop by the Generation Rescue website to get more information and make a donation to a great cause. #DWxGR2017

Photo by Brian Babineau - courtesy of Generation Rescue

 

by: Peter Ferreri

From the onset of the song with a short but impactful vocal run, the listener knows they are going to get a solid singer in the song "Done" by new artist Cheyenne Goss.  The singular notes at the beginning allows for this to stand out, and lead you exactly where the song wants to take you. 

The pacing of the vocals takes you a bit off guard as the quickness of her vocal tempo is a nice surprise than one may not have expected. She is able to hold strong to the dictation so the listener isn't lost with this sudden change of anticipated pace. The subtle harmonies by the 3rd line or so reiterates to the listener that she can handle her own vocally.

Many times in top Country songs the refrain is a "hit you in the face" change of pace, with the title of the song standing out. This song, takes a change of pace. It makes you want to listen again and again to notice how she shares her emotion in a quieter tone while actually saying the word "Done."

There is something to be said for a singer to get so much into a song in less than 3 minutes, and in 2:43, Cheyenne hits the mark.

Her final line of singing about not having to "cry any longer" is where one may expect a bridge, but instead the background fades, and you are left once again with just the vocals standing out, and anticipating an ending that never comes, which again, is an unexpected twist in a positive way.

You are almost sad that "Done" is over when one the main highlights of the tune is the ending. But one may ask what does it leave? It leaves you wanting to hear more of this new artist, as if her further releases are anything like this, her career is far from done.

 

by Peter Ferreri

When you see the phrase "INVITATION ONLY" on a concert promotional flyer you may often think, SURE for thousands of people and the band will perform one song. However the outstanding event from BMI with the invite from Webster PR was one of the best country events I may have ever attended. Sure I have been to stadium tours for huge acts like Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts and I have been to small bar shows for 20 people like Jeremy McComb (he's great - look him up). 

I had the opportunity to not only meet some outstanding industry professionals from producers to PR reps to managers and other media members, but I got to speak and meet the stars as well, LOCASH and Maggie Rose. I have been thankful before to interview Maggie Rose on more than one occasion including an in studio show on the EDGE lounge and it was great to see her grow with her new EP "Dreams > Dollars" as she performed some of the tracks live. She prefaced the songs in a direct and encouraging way that led you waiting anxiously to hear each and every new track. To me "Body on Fire" stole the set as she performed with such passion and fervor, I couldn't want to listen again to experience those feelings once more that is something only music can do. Maggie has been a favorite artist of the EDGE and that will not stop anytime soon.

This was my first experience with LOCASH and seeing them perform felt like they transported a bar on Broadway to the rooftop of BMI. From what I heard this was the first of its kind and I am glad they are making a series out of it. They had great sponsors like SAM ADAMS, TEXAS ROADHOUSE and DICKEL. I of course tried one of the beverages from Dickel, and well, they have a new friend (may have even texted one of my directors a picture of the greatness of the drink).

LOCASH brought a fun element of their performances sometimes which get's lost in the hustle and bustle of a concert. One thing that stood out to me was even though they didn't play all their tracks, or my "favorite" of theirs - "Aint Starting Tonight" I didn't even think to myself I didn't have a great time. I know sometimes being so ingrained in music and all the tracks of particular artists, that if they don't perform one of my favorite songs I feel I missed something (At least when I saw Backstreet Boys in 2005 they sang "Siberia" and Blake Shelton that same year sang "The Baby.")

When the show was done, the outstanding part was both Maggie and LOCASH took the time to meet all the people at the event, "Press the Flesh" (which some people up north don't know what it means) and enjoy the night. As the event was about to break down I took my time overlooking the Nashville night sky and thought...I LOVE THIS LIFE.

"I Believe" is the new track from Girl Pop group DREAM who found success in the early 2000's with hits like "He Loves you Not" and "This is Me." They are back and this song which was debuted along the MY2K tour and released as a single on August 2nd is their defining track. Out of all previously released tracks on both their mainstream albums, "I Believe" blends all their artistic avenues with solid lyrics to back it up. They bring back a lost art form in the pre-refrain with Ashley and Diana trading off the 1st and 2nd time through with a hard and to the point spoken word mood. They also have a solid bridge with the slow down tempo and good echo harmonies with was always an undervalued strength of the girls.  Ashley shows her power as she hits the high harmony starting in the first refrain and carries it through to the end, instead of the usual, wait for the build-up until the final refrain, and have the background be 1 or 2 of the singers, and everyone else going on runs.  This song should get attention as its a true POP song, which is sometimes lost in the current scene where artists and lyricists try to do do much, and no one can decide on a tempo. They pick a tempo, they pick a message, and deliver in a unique way, that will make you want the next single to be just as strong.

- the PD, Dr. Pete Ferreri