williams honor
-
In conversation with Reagan Richards: finding a friend in music
When Reagan Richards tells you that she drove down to Nashville in a hearse, your first thought may be that she has to be joking. “A hearse, believe it or not,” she began, “is a great vehicle for loading musical equipment because it’s got the rollers in the back.” Your second thought immediately after will…
-
In conversation with Sydney Schirripa: from myth to music
Rising high school senior and New Jersey native Sydney Schirripa is putting her passion to paper. Exploring many aspects of the arts from a very young age, it didn’t take Schirripa long to realize her unique call to music and love of songwriting. “When I was younger, thankfully my parents allowed me to experiment with…
-
In conversation with Bobby Mahoney: playing in the key of Jersey
Since the early days of rock and roll, New Jersey has demanded greatness from its music scene, inspiring transformative acts like Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Skid Row, and My Chemical Romance. Now, Bobby Mahoney is answering the call. Growing up in East Brunswick, NJ, 31-year-old songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Bobby Mahoney first began cultivating his…
-
In conversation with Amanda Conti: the personal and professional pieces of songwriting
Of all things, it was an Instagram ad that brought the nonprofit RiverJAM Music to Amanda Conti’s attention. “I don’t know how I saw [the ad],” she explained. “And it was such funny timing because the night before, I just had a whole breakdown about the fact that I felt very disconnected from myself as…
-
RiverJAM Music’s Songs & Stories showcases three generations of guitar virtuosity
Red Bank, NJ, saw three generations of guitar talent perform at RiverJAM Music’s Listening Room: Songs & Stories concert on March 25. With Pat Guadagno, Johnny Kasun, and Luke Brindley showing off their fingerpicking skills, the venue was filled with the type of infectious melodies only a guitar can produce. The night began with Reagan…
-
In conversation with Johnny Kasun: one guitar, endless possibilities
For many musicians, the guitar is just one piece of a larger band. For Johnny Kasun, it is the entire show. Through his use of fingerstyle guitar, Kasun creates the sound of multiple musicians at once, weaving melody, rhythm, and basslines together on a single instrument. When a guitar was placed in Kasun’s hand at…
