Hope Concert IV - Count Basie Theatre 12/22/2008

Once again the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank New Jersey hosted another great benefit concert. For the last 3 years, Bobby Bandiera has assembled a holiday benefit concert which goes by the name of The Hope Concert. The original Hope Concert was a benefit for Bobby's son and was held in April of 2003. In 2006 Bobby put on the Bobby Bandiera All Star Holiday Concert which included Gary U.S. Bonds, Southside Johnny, Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. None of these performers were announced. In 2007 the same musicians minus Springsteen assembled again under the name of the Hope Concert III. My wife and I purchased tickets for the show this year after passing last year.
For the fourth edition the lineup included Tim McCloone & the Shirleys, Brian Fallon, Nicole Atkins, Bobby Bandiera's Jersey Shore Rock N Soul Revue, Gary U.S. Bonds, Southside Johnny and Jon Bon Jovi.
The show followed a virtually identical format to the 2006 show. Each performer did a mini set, but this time the headliners were joined for a song by the next artist to follow. The show flowed very well. It was a typical New Jersey benefit that included up and coming artists, local legends and a couple huge stars. This year Bruce Springsteen joined in again closing the show with a couple Christmas songs, a couple covers and a duet with Jon Bon Jovi.
The show opened with Tim McCloone and the Shirley's, which is basically a condensed version on the Holiday Express. Holiday Express is a local group of musicians that perform several charity concerts throughout the holiday season. They performed a few Christmas favorites and even did two version of White Christmas.
Brian Fallon of Gaslight Anthem followed with 2 acoustic songs. Very Springsteenesque, with a very dark dreamlike feel.
Bobby Bandiera's Rock N Soul Revue followed. They were the backing band for the remaining performers, for the most part. Gary U.S. Bonds & Southside brought out members of their bands for their sets, but also used members of the RNS Revue. The band consists of many local favorites:Ray Anderson & Bob Burger on guitars, Kevin Kavanaugh on organ, Mike Mancini on keyboards, Tony Tino on bass, Mike Mahoney & Joe Bellia on drums. I grew up seeing most of these guys at the Stone Pony back in the 80's. Ray Andersen was in Cats on a Smooth Surface & Ray Andersen & the Fire. He now performs as Mr. Ray. Joe Bellia is in the Asbury Jukes and was in a band called Joey & The Works, and has played with Bobby for quite some time, as has Kevin Kavanaugh. Bob Burger is another person who has played with Bobby many a time and also fronts The Bob Burger Band.
The Revue was first joined by Nicole Atkins who did 2 covers, and then different members of the Revue took turns in the spotlight.
Gary U.S. Bonds followed with his band and then did a duet with Southside Johnny which led into Southside's set. Southside brought along members of the Jukes including keyboardist Jeff Kazee. His set ended with a duet of This Time it's For Real with Jon Bon Jovi.
At the end of Jon's set, he had a surprise for the audience. He announced his surprise wasn't Santa Claus. He said "this is better. Come on Out". Bruce Springsteen walked out and performed the lead guitar work for Run Rudolph Run ,which was performed by Jon Bon Jovi & Bobby Bandiera trading off on the verses.
Bruce then closed his mini set with Jon performing Tenth Avenue Freezeout.
The performers left after that, to return a couple minutes later to perform Havin' a Party. The only performers absent for this were Jon Bon Jovi and Nicole Atkins.
Overall a pretty great show. A great way to start Christmas week and one of the few reasons at this point to still be proud to live in New Jersey. Where else can you see the 2 top grossing concert draws of 2008 performing in a 1400 seat theatre.
The set list follows. A few titles may be incorrect.

Tim McLoone & the Shirleys
Happy Holiday-Maureen McCrink Lead Vocal
All Alone At Christmas
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year-Tim McCloone Lead Vocal
You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch-Tim McCloone Lead Vocal
Holly Jolly Christmas-Amy Brozza Lead Vocal
White Christmas-Delores Holmes Lead Vocal
White Christmas-Layonne Holmes Lead Vocal
Higher & Higher-Tim McCloone Lead Vocal

Brian Fallon
Great Expectations
The 59 Sound

The Jersey Shore Rock N Soul Revue
Be My Baby-Nicole Atkins Lead Vocal
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree-Nicole Atkins Lead Vocal
Listen To The Music-Maureen McCrink Lead Vocal
Monday Monday-Bob Burger Lead Vocal
Touch Me-Ray Andersen Lead Vocal
White Rabbit-Lisa Bouchelle Lead Vocal
Somebody To Love-Layonne Holmes Lead Vocal
C'mon Caroline-Bobby Bandiera Lead Vocal/Southside Johnny Backing Vocals


Gary U.S. Bonds
Action in the Streets
Your Love is Gonna Let You Down
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
This Little Girl

Southside Johnny
You Dont' Know w/Gary U.S. Bonds
Down,Down,Down
Santa Claus is Back in Town
I Don't Want To Go Home
This Time It's For Real w/Jon Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi
Lost Highway w/Lorenza Ponce on Violin
Blue Christmas
Who Say's You Can't Go Home w/Lorenza Ponce on Violin
Run Rudolph Run w/Bobby Bandiera & Bruce Springsteen on Lead Guitar

Bruce Springsteen
Merry Christmas Baby w/Nicole Atkins Backing Vocals
Santa Claus is Coming to Town w/Southside Johnny & Nicole Atkins Backing Vocals
634-5789 w/Nicole Atkins Backing Vocals
Tenth Avenue Freezeout w/Jon Bon Jovi, Nicole Atkins Backing Vocals

Finale
Havin' a Party-Minus Jon Bon Jovi & Nicole Atkins