On Jan. 9, RiverJAM Music hosted yet another sold-out night as part of their Listening Room: Songs & Stories intimate concert series in Red Bank, NJ. Fronted by English singer-songwriter James Maddock, Reagan Richards and Gordon Brown of Williams Honor, and the legendary guitarist Ricky Byrd, the night was pleasantly filled with both philanthropy and original music.

In true Songs & Stories fashion, the artists took turns playing songs on stage, rotating through one after the other and sharing stories and inspirations for each tune. Maddock kicked the night off with his song “Runaway,” backup provided by the Williams Honor duo and Byrd. Through Maddock’s set, he made it clear that he is a performer who is at home on stage and wastes no time with preamble. Each song dove right into business, captivating the audience with its vulnerability and rawness, and Maddock even channeled Bob Dylan through his simultaneous use of harmonica and guitar.

When it came around to be Williams Honor’s turn, Reagan commanded the stage, not having any shame in standing from her stool and belting with a signature country twang. Each performance of the duo proved more and more that they embody what it means to be a Jersey-country artist, from the “I don’t give a fuck” mentality to the eagerness to sing about the relatable. As Reagan so eloquently put it, “You can’t explain what Jersey country is, you just do it.” And Gordon and Reagan definitely do it. Adding onto that sentiment, Reagan prefaced their song “Ransom Note” with, “You don’t fuck with Jersey,” before bringing both Maddock and Byrd into the track for guitar solos.

Byrd rounded out each round, and he noted before his first song that the performance “is very civilized. I’m kind of scared.” Of course, it couldn’t go long without a reminder of what state we were in, as after Byrd commented, “Why am I talking like Springsteen?” Maddock reminded him with a jovial, “‘Cause you’re in Jersey!” After starting with “Anna Lee”—self-dubbed by Byrd as “the sensitive side of Ricky Byrd”—the guitarist proceeded with the night by describing his writing process and the importance of recovery to his music. A seasoned rock ‘n’ roll legend in an intimate setting, Byrd spent no strenuous effort engaging the crowd, no doubt used to the frenzy of stadiums and larger venues. After nearly 50 years in the industry, Byrd has not lost his zeal for music or his obvious knack for stage presence.

With 15 minutes left after the final round, the musicians went for one more loop, closing the night out with the whole audience clapping and singing together to “I Wish It Would Rain” by The Temptations, led by Byrd. Throughout their sets, the quartet had Triumph Brewery politely riled yet thoroughly mesmerized, showcasing that RiverJAM Music knows exactly what one of the most crucial aspects of music is: community.

Photo taken by Gabrielle Sangataldo