Jersey Shore rocker is celebrating the release of his latest CD with a CD release party and benefit concert on Saturday, August 12th. Proceeds from the show will go to "Open Hearts for Keyport Parks" -- an organization designed to renovate the parks within Keyport, New Jersey.
Keyport, NJ (PRWEB) August 2, 2006 -- Last year, Jon Caspi helped put Keyport on the map with the release of his CD entitled "This Town." On Saturday, August 12th, the man who many residents refer to as "Keyport's next mayor" and who recently had a sandwich named after him by a local diner, will celebrate the release of his latest CD, "I'm Not Angry… Anymore" with a CD Release Party and Benefit Concert at McDonagh's Pub (2 West Front Street, Keyport, NJ).
So, why isn't Jon angry anymore?
"As I got into my 30's things started coming together for me," he explained. "Now things are great and I've learned to value the important things, and not get crazy about things I can't control (like other people)."
Caspi has seen a major resurgence in his career in the past year. "This Town" received airplay on hundreds of radio stations across the country; was selected as "Album of the Week" by many websites and local venues; was named on several Top 10 Albums Of The Year lists; and sold out the entire first pressing of the CD. He was featured in such publications as Upstage Magazine, The Asbury Park Press, Jetty Magazine, Njcoast.com, and the Independent. He was also nominated for an Asbury Music Award in the Top Male Solo category and picked up the Boston Herald's pick for Best Hanukkah Song of the Year for "Eight Days", his contribution to Volunteer Record's holiday compilation CD, "Holiday Heart."
The record was a return to the airwaves for the former lead singer of "Bouncing Off Bob" and "Boss Gremlin" -- bands that were played on as many as 600 stations nationwide as well as on MTV. With several releases under his belt, Caspi says he now gets more excited than nervous about CD release nights. "Any anxiety is related to keeping on top of all the details and everything coming together and working (sound system, strings not breaking, etc). I love playing and play with great guys. We have a lot of fun together -- so big nights are something I really look forward to."
Another reason Jon is enjoying life these days is because his "other career" or day job is flourishing as well. During the day, Caspi is a professor at Montclair State University in the Family & Child Studies Department. He teaches courses on child development, family relationships and research and writes about sibling development and violence. Columbia University Press published his book, "Educational Supervision in Social Work" in 2002.
And, of course, there is his new hometown of Keyport -- the Jersey Shore town that has helped revive Jon's musical dreams. Caspi has not only become a regular in Keyport venues like McDonagh's and Espresso Joe's but has played such popular rock clubs as Asbury Park's The Saint and The Stone Pony and has shared bills with artists like John Eddie, Jeffrey Gaines, Joe Grushecky, and Joe D'Urso.
"The Jersey Shore music scene is really good," said Caspi. "There are many great acts and venues within such a close distance and everyone seems to be very supportive of each other. Having lived in NYC and Albany, I really appreciate what is happening here. The scene in Albany was struggling and fairly lackluster at the time. And the scene in NYC is so large and disjointed that it is difficult to feel connected to it. I've only been playing in Asbury for about a year and a half and have performed with and become friends with a large group of musicians. It's really nice."
"The area has this great, rich history and has, obviously, produced some of the world's greatest artists in an array of different genres," he added. "I feel really proud to have become a part of that in some small way."
Caspi's legendary status in Keyport history was cemented recently when the Seaport Diner named a breakfast sandwich after him. "The Caspi Special" is comprised of eggs, cheese, and sausage in between two pieces of French toast. Betty Laspis, one of the diner's owners said, "Jon is a great performer and a nice guy, and he has done a lot for Keyport, raising money for the school and promoting the town."
In keeping with Jon's tradition of being "the Patron Saint of Keyport" (another nickname of Jon's), the CD release party will help raise money for "Open Hearts for Keyport Parks" -- an organization designed to renovate the parks within Keyport.
Tickets for the CD release party are $12 and are available in advance from Jon's website (www.joncaspi.com). Tickets are also available at McDonagh's Pub and Espresso Joe's. The show is expected to sell out and tickets are going quickly.
Jon Caspi is available for interviews. You may contact him at Jon @ joncaspi.com
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