April 27th, 8pm - 1am, United Jersey Blues Network, Rob Signorile, Son Lewis & BLEND presents "Heart 2 Hart, a Blues Memorial & Jam for Lance Ong", 17 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood, NJ.  My heart runneth over.  Once again, Lance would be so honored, and so am I!  Just look at the performers scheduled. In these tough economic times, the love and support of musicians, friends, family and fans have really helped to get both Lance & I through (Lance to the "other side of this world" and me, right here and right now.)  We hope you will join us!

From my Blues Leaf Label Mate, Albert Castiglia:  a good read, and a nice summary of the Riverwalk Fest in Fort Lauderdale.  I was honored to be Albert's guest, get know his wife Michelle even better,  and hang out with two very rabunctious boxer pups during my stay....

The Modern Day Bluesman
by Albert Castiglia

BLUES FESTIVAL MAKES A COMEBACK
The Riverwalk Blues & Music Festival in Fort Lauderdale, Florida kicked off the festival season on the weekend of February 12th. It was its 21st annual, but was the 1st in 3 years. The festival was originally started by a man named Don Cohen. Don owned the Musician's Exchange, which was the premier music venue in the South Florida area from 1981 through 1996. Prior to 1981, the Exchange acted as a successful musician's referral service.

The festival began in 1987 and was originally called the South Florida Blues Festival. The inaugural event featured Buddy Guy, John Mayall and John Lee Hooker. My personal experiences with the festival over the years were many, both as a fan and performer. As a first time spectator in 1988, I remember watching Matt "Guitar" Murphy perform a wonderful set. There were many other performances that come to mind since then. The greatest blues show I ever saw was at the Riverwalk. It was guitar hero Luther Allison in 1996 and it was mind blowing. He did ninety minutes of the most intense, fiery music I'd ever heard. He broke a string on every song. I'd never seen a guitar tech run back and forth to the stage as much as I'd seen Luther's. I got to meet Mr. Allison after the show and it was a turning point in my life. I asked him for some advice. He simply told me to keep on picking and good things would happen. I did what he said and a few months later I wound up touring with the late, great Junior Wells. I planned on thanking him for his words of wisdom at the 1997 Ottawa Blues Festival in Canada where Junior and Luther were scheduled to appear. However, Luther never made it to Ottawa. He was severely ill and eventually succumbed to Cancer on August 12, 1997, my birthday. As a performer, I appeared at the festival first as a sideman with Sandra Hall in the late nineties and every year since starting my own band in 2002. The 2003 fest was the site of me and my wife's first date. I had the shingles and was loaded on painkillers but my wife was drinking heavily so we were pretty much on the same page that night.

Don Cohen put on his last festival in February of 2007and passed away shortly after that in October of 2007.Don was a man who loved the blues and loved music,period. He put his heart and soul into the festival, usually butting heads with uncooperative municipalities and pain in the neck local residents among other things year after year, always managing to make it work. He had the passion and the onions to make it happen and when he died no one stepped up to the plate to continue it… until this year.

South Florida radio personality Dar Lopez and her husband Gerardo took on the challenge. Since 1990, Dar has been preaching the gospel of the blues on her show "The Sunday Blues With Dar" on WKPX 88.5. You can listen to her show on the web at www.blueatheart.com . She was the only one who could've pulled this off. She solicited the assistance of the Downtowner Saloon, a great bar on the banks of the New River in Fort Lauderdale. The Downtowner donated their parking lot as the site of the festival. Dar also enlisted a small but faithful group of volunteers to assist her in this massive undertaking. In a matter of 4 months she was able to put together a 3 day festival with a lineup of national acts and touring acts from the South Florida area. The Riverwalk Blues & Music Festival was finally resurrected.

Day 1 started with Josh Smith performing in The Maxwell Room wing of the Downtowner Saloon. Josh was a child prodigy from the South Florida area who went on to tour nationally with his own band and has toured most recently with American Idol winner Taylor Hicks. The advanced ticket sales for Josh's homecoming were amazing and from what I was told was a great start to the festival.

Day 2 was the first full day of the festival and was outdoors. Miami legends Iko Iko kicked things off followed by my band. We had a great set that was enhanced by Miss Nicole Hart, who sat in with us on a few numbers. She was awesome and took her awesomeness to the after fest Jam session later that night and blew the crowd away. It was great to see her out and performing. Nicole's been through a lot, losing her soulmate, husband and bandleader Lance Ong to cancer late last year. She's been laying low since then but I hope that her performance at the festival will propel her into getting back in the game.

Miami jam band Spam All-Stars took the stage for a nice change of pace from the blues genre. Then the big names followed. Trance blues master Otis Taylor was next. He was nice enough to bring me up to play the last 3 songs with him and his band. Headliner Sugar Blue came up and played the last number with Otis and I. Harmonica Master Sugar Blue closed out the night with his bass player and a band of local musicians. His regular band was snowed in Chicago. He didn't miss a beat and had the crowd in the palm of his hands.

Day 3 featured names you might not know now, but will in the future and I encourage you to check out. Names like acoustic guitar goddess Magda Hiller and blues rocker David Shelley. David was Cher's longtime guitarist but the blues was always in his heart and moved back to Florida from Los Angeles to play them. He is an incredibly talented Guitarist, Vocalist, and percussionist, as well as a fantastic entertainer. The Hep Cat Boo Daddies are a rocking power trio and local favorite that never disappoint. National act and Albert Collins' former guitarist Debbie Davies and renowned singer Robin Rogers performed a terrific show together and made way for J.P Soars & The Red Hots. This Boca Raton, Florida based trio won the 2009 International Blues Competition in Memphis, TN and is steadily making their mark allover the country. It was a great finish to a great festival. It was small in comparison to previous ones, but the energy and vibe harkened back to the Riverwalk's hey days. The fest was a success in every way, shape and form.

I think the moral of this story is that if you have something great in your community that brings people together in a positive way, you embrace it and never take it for granted and If you lose it find a way to get it back.There's always going to be negative people and doubtingthomas's that say it can't be done. To them I say lend a hand or get the hell out of the way!!!

http://www.pomeroyblues.org/news_events/newsletter.php

Thank you, Albert...I'll look forward to recording for you again this March 26th & 27th, 2010.

Blues Leaf are all mourning the loss of one of our family  members - keyboardist, arranger, and musical director Lance Ong.  He was a "Treasure" to all of us who knew him and played with him.  He may be gone but won't be forgotten.  May you rest in peace, Lancee.

~ Joe Morabia and the Blues Leaf Family   Click to listen:  Sirius/XM Tribute to Lance

Dear Friends, Family and Fans:  It is with deepest sorrow that I must inform you that Monday, December 7th at 9:48PM, my beloved husband, Lance, lost his battle with cancer.  While I cannot at this moment envision life without him, I am comforted to know that he is out of pain and suffering, and his spirit is free to fly wherever he chooses.  Thanks to you with all my heart for your loyalty throughout the years, and for sharing with us Lance’s amazing talent.  He was absolutely brilliant, and one of the sweetest and most talented people I have ever had the pleasure to know.  In fact, he was my best friend ever, and my favorite person on this earth.

Because of the unusual way Lance’s cancer metastasized, researchers at Hackensack University Medical Center asked him to contribute blood samples to be frozen for future research.  In this way, and through the music he created, Lance will live on in hope of helping others.  In lieu of flowers, we ask instead that donations be made in Lance’s name to the John Theurer Cancer Center, c/o Dr. Robert Alter, Hackensack University Medical Center, 60 Second Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601, 201-996-5081.

With sincere thanks and love,

Nicole Hart

On Monday 12/7/09 The Music Industry lost an amazing Musician, Producer, Arranger & Friend.  Lance Ong lost his battle with cancer.  We are having a Tribute for Lance on 12/15/09 @ Mexicali Live in Teaneck NJ.  Doors open at 6pm and the music starts at 7pm.

The line-up is Steve Johnson, Dave Keyes, Johnny Fedz and Da Bluez Boyz, Gil Parris, Rob Paparozzi as well as the Great Hubert Sumlin and others will be dropping in to jam with the various bands.  Nicole Hart, Lance's wife, will be headlining the event.  This is sure to be a powerful evening of music.  We hope you can come to the show and help us celebrate Lance’s life.  This is the way he would want it.

We hope you can make it.

Mark Meding

FM Management Int, LLC

Cell-917.797.8462
E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mexicali Blues Cafe

www.mexicalilive.com

1409 Queen Anne Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666-3517
(201) 833-0011

Management: Mark Meding, FM Management LLC, 917.797.8462
Booking: Harty Wiedemann, TA733, Blues Boys & Divas Talent, 850.875.2587

Doug Tackett, Road Dawg Touring 303.670.9950
Radio Promotions: Rick Lusher,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Blues Leaf Records, Joe Morabia, www.bluesleaf.com
www.myspace.com/friendsoflanceong

www.nicolehart.com, www.myspace.com/nicolehartband

Nicole Hart- November 6, 2009

Live at the Double Door Inn

by Micael Wolf Ingmier, Charlotte Blues Society

The history of the Blues in America started with a woman’s voice.  In 1920, singer Mamie Smith recorded “Crazy Blues.” This started a craze that was called. unfortunately, “race records.”  “Crazy Blues”  sold over a million copies and encouraged the record companies to start recording Blues. From Mamie Smith to Bessie Smith(no relation) to Etta James and Betty Lavette, the women of the Blues have strengthened and supported the foundation from which the Blues continues.

I have been lucky to have seen many exciting concerts of the ladies of the Blues. I saw Shemekia Copeland when she was just 11 years old.  I opened for Johnny Copeland in Virginia Beach, VA. in 1990.  Midway during his set he brought Shemekia out and this little girl threw her head back and let loose with a voice that made the hurricane seem tame. I saw the late, Koko Taylor burn Jimmy Vaughn to death when she opened for him in 1999 at the House of Blues in New Orleans. Charlotte’s own Robin Rogers froze the sweat on the back of my neck in 2009 when I heard her do her tune “Color blind angel.”  I now can add “Blue Leaf Records” recording artist, Nicole Hart to this list.

I went with fellow Charlotte Blues Society member Bill Montgomery to Nicole’s show at the Double Door Inn on November 6th. Nicole Hart truly amazed us both! Backed by an exceptional, crackerjack band of flaming guitarist, Sean Villere, 23 year old wunderkind drummer, Ian Carroll, funky as you please bassist, Martell Brown and genius keyboardist/arranger/husband (lucky man!) Lance Ong, Nicole added a new layer of historical smoke on the hallowed, wooden walls of the Double Door Inn!

Opening with Wanda Jackson’s “Heart Trouble,” Mr. Montgomery and I looked at each other and realized that we were seeing great Blues in action at the Double Door Inn. The stage caught fire in 8 seconds flat with the roars, whispers, shouts, and celestial movements of Ms. Hart’s voice. She is truly one of the best ladies of the Blues.

The first set was an exciting mixture of exceptional originals and sharply arranged covers.  The highlights of the set for me were the title track of Nicole’s CD “Treasure.” ( See the review in this issue) “Treasure” boasts the clever lines of “that woman’s trash is this woman’s treasure.” This tune was written by Nicole and keyboardist Lance Ong. Another great original during the set was “The other side of the world.” Written by Lance Ong the chord structure of this tune reminds me a little bit of B.B. King’s the “Thrill is gone.” However, there is never any attempt to steal the thunder from Mr. B, is more than original in it’s own right and the lyrics demonstrate one of the more interesting aspects of Nicole’s stage presence and patter which is an embracing of the spiritual side of the Blues and the humility that it takes to perform and embrace the best aspects this music can offer.

The spiritual side of Nicole’s music also is demonstrated is her choice of covers. She covered both Stevie Winwood’s “Can’t find my way home” and Stevie Wonder’s “Higher ground.” Both of these songs are about spiritual journeys of a sort and the arrangements of these songs are stellar and totally original. ”Higher ground” opened with an incendiary keyboard solo by Lance Ong. Nicole’s stage movements are exciting and sensual without ever being crass. Her use of the microphone stand as a stage prop could rival both Robert Plant and Roger Daltrey. I suggest that they both take notes. The second set further demonstrated the band's abilities to make Blues classics new.  The outstanding song of this set was a swinging version of  Slim Harpo’s “Hip Shake Baby.”

Nicole is a genuinely friendly person and gives everything she has to the audience both on and off the stage.  I saw Blues history in the making and her name is Nicole Hart.

Nicole opened for The Bacon Brothers at Bergen Performing Arts Center.  From left, Chris Vitarello, Michael Bacon, Nicole Hart, Kevin Bacon.  It was a great show!

Robert Putignano & Nicole Hart, WFDU-FM

TREASURE  SMASHED TO #3 ON  XM/SIRIUS  BB KING'S BLUESVILLE CHARTS NATIONWIDE!
LIVE PERFORMANCE ON AIR XM/SIRIUS BLUESVILLE WITH BILL WAX - AUGUST 13TH
TREASURE DEBUTED AT #14 ON LIVING BLUES CHARTS NATIONWIDE!
TREASURE 18 WEEKS ON THE WEEKLY BLUES AND ROOTS CHARTS NATIONWIDE!
CURRENTLY IN ROTATION ON MUSIC CHOICE AMERICA NATIONWIDE
NICOLE WINS "FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR" 2009 5TH ANNUAL LOS ANGELES SOUTH BAY MUSIC AWARDS!

Award-Winning Blues Vocalist Nicole Hart To Release DVD and New EP, The XM/Sirius Satellite Sessions With Bill Wax

NICOLE HART

Coming to national attention in 2008 on the Blues, Roots, Soul & R&B scenes, Nicole Hart made an impressive entrée with three highly successful tours as the featured female performer of Jacksonville Beach, Florida's “Springing the Blues Festival”; the featured female headline act at Laconia, New Hampshire's Big Three Motorcycle Week; as well as performing many other prominent festivals including the Jersey Shore Red Bank Jazz & Blues Fest and more renowned venues on the national circuit. Her initial independent CD release, “NICOLE HART & THE NRG BAND, LIVE!” received airplay on radio stations worldwide & continues to receive airplay to this day.

During a recording session for 2008 Blues Foundation Nominee for Song of the Year, Albert Castiglia, she met up with Blues Leaf Records label president Joseph Morabia who soon signed her to the label. Her 2009 Blues Leaf release, "TREASURE," debuted on the Living Blues charts at # 14, smashed to #3 in rotation on XM/Sirius Satellite Radio, and is  also in rotation on nationally syndicated Music Choice.  In May 2009, Nicole became an award-winning vocalist, being recognized as "Female Vocalist of the Year" by the 5th Annual Los Angeles South Bay Music Awards.

"TREASURE" features a duet with label mate Castiglia, is produced by Grammy award winner Jack Kriesberg (Paquito D’Riviera, Elvin Jones), is mixed and mastered by Grammy award winning engineer Ben Elliott (Eric Clapton, Keith Richards), is distributed by Allegro and available nationwide at Barnes & Noble, Borders Bookstores, J&R Music World, Amazon.com, CD Universe, and at every performance. As a modern day Blues woman, Nicole straddles a diverse musical terrain defined by such icons as Koko Taylor, Susan Tedeschi, Janiva Magness, & Bonnie Raitt. Hart’s impressive resume also includes work in television, film & live performance outside the realm of Blues. “As an artist, I am influenced by all great music, and inspired by many of the greatest artists of our time. I aspire to create a feeling & a depth of integrity representing those influences, while also conveying a viewpoint toward the world of my own."

For more information about Nicole Hart check out her website at

www.nicolehart.com

www.myspace.com/nicolehartband

www.facebook.com/nicolehart8808

www.reverbnation.com/nicolehartband;

Or contact Mark Meding at Mark Meding Management,  www.fmmanagement.org/ or (917)797-8462.

Media Contact: Right Word Media Ray Ecke

p. 973.726.3797

f. 973.726.3798 c. 201.741.1092

e. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Pics from Riverhead Blues Fest where we were featured before Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown to 5,000 people.  Praise the good Lord!

ALSO, this week, we head to the Sirius/XM Studios to record a two hour concert and interview with none other than the greatest National DJ of them all, BILL WAX, who has deigned to support us in such a huge way.  We are so grateful, and so looking forward to this show, which will be taped in the Sirius/XM studios in Washington, D.C., Yes, we do have a drive ahead of us, but we don’t mind, in fact, we love the road. The boys are ready, and so am I!!  Please send us your love and support as you have all these years.  We love you and we are so appreciative of all the kind lifts of love you have shown us over the years, especially now with Lance’s condition.  More on that in the next email, but he is hanging hard and he is my HERO.

Love to you ALL.

Nicole, Lance, THE BAND, Blues Leaf Records, Rick Lusher, and Mark Meding Management.  Thanks again to WFDU! 89.1 FM, the right place to be on the left side of the dial!

Guys:  Great news, the CD is now at #5 on XM/Sirius ( request us  here :  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it – thanks so much!) and we have been invited by Bill Wax to perform live in their studios in Washington DC for a national broadcast and interview.  Holy Shizz! We are just so amazed and grateful.

Lance looks great and is going for another CAT scan to monitor his progress as he heads into his 6th round of chemo, so we’ll keep you up to date.  We are building a new page to our main website as a way of thanking you all for your help.  We just want to do something here in the short term to try and give back a little.  If you have contributed in any way, we invite you to email us with “gratitude page” in the subject header and please include a website link you would like listed.  We will mention the page on air during the XM show with the intent to drive listeners to click through to your websites and, hopefully, bring you some good ole’ fashioned PR. Please spread the word, too, in case someone you know who helped is not on this email list.  Let’s get that corrected!

In the meantime, Summer is finally here, and we have 9 upcoming shows in the region, including the 11th Annual Riverhead Blues and Music Festival where we'll be leading in for Kim Simmonds and the Savoy Brown Blues Band before we take a couple weeks off to rest.   BTW, Harmonica whizz Stanley Behrens (Willie Dixon, Ruth Brown, Canned Heat, LA Blues Alliance) is flying into to town to make the show so that'll be even extra special.  Hope to see you all there.  It’s been a whirlwind summer so far.  Please come say hi, we’d love to see you.  Hope your 4th of July was absolutely wonderful!

Lance-a-thon, thank you's and XM/Sirius News
Current mood:  optimistic

People, we are so heartened and so honored by the way you have all come together to help Lance.  The impact is real:  Lance’s CAT scan results show that his tumor has shrunken 20 per cent.  We are cautiously optimistic and very, very hopeful – and we attribute this win in large part to the beauty of your heartfelt emails, performances, contributions, prayers and kind, positive words.  You are making a difference.  Thank you.

In other news, the band had a great show in Maine this week at the famous Time Out Pub.  If you want to have a REALLY good time for three straight hours on a Monday night, THAT'S the place to do it...it was a really dancin', get down kinda crowd, and we can't wait to be back this Fall.  This weekend we’re back in the NY region performing 3 festivals listed at the end of this email.  We’d love to see you there.

We would be very grateful if you would take a moment to request us on XM/Sirius Satellite Radio at the following link:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  The CD is in rotation and was just elevated to BB King’s Bluesville’s “Ready for the Next Rack.”

A message from Lance…

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of support, well wishes and prayers which we have received since letting you all know why I'm no longer performing with Nicole and the band… at least temporarily… I feel truly blessed to have so many friends and supporters, many of whom I have only briefly met or had a chance to speak with. Indeed, this outpouring has helped me to know that in some way, I have touched you with the music that I play and I appreciate that you have allowed me into your life in this manner. In its own way, this has helped me to find a key purpose to stay alive, which in itself is a cornerstone to beating cancer, as many of you have written me in your own words of encouragement. To all of you, Thank You!

I would also like to thank Gina Fox, Sweet Suzi, Howie Haber, Johnny Feds, and Sandy Mack for stepping up and organizing impromptu fund raisers to help me handle the medical bills which are on a scale that I have never seen before. And those of you that are helping us out through donations, I can't thank you enough. For now, please accept my love for each one of you as a token of my appreciation.

I would also like to take this opportunity to let you all know about a great good that has happened to us… a while back, we were informed by an awards show on the west coast, in LA, that we were nominated in three categories. The award show has been around for 5 years and positions itself as the Grammys for the independent artist. Well, last Friday, we were notified that Nicole had to go to LA for the actual ceremonies and would be sent out there. So Monday morning, she hopped on a plane and attended the ceremonies last night accompanied by my old friend Stanley Behrens who played harmonica on our Live CD. I'm very proud to announce that she won Female Vocalist of the Year, beating out many known and excellent singers including Janiva Magness! We will have some pictures soon and will post them asap.

It is just amazing how far the pendulum has swung for us this year, but one thing that has stayed constant is all of you. Thank you for all the support that you have given Nicole and I and know that I fully intend to see you all soon…

Warmest regards,

Lance

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

Montclair, NJ (PRWEB) April 18, 2009 – Composer and arranger Lance Ong, who is battling Stage III B Lung Cancer, is the catalyst for a benefit concert organized by vocalist Gina Fox featuring four national acts on Sunday, May 31st at Trumpets in Montclair. The event is being organized to raise funds to offset his medical expenses. Mr. Ong is currently undergoing chemotherapy at Hackensack University Medical Hospital. As a self-employed musician, he is uninsured.

Mr. Ong has produced, written and arranged over 700 songs. His credits include a Grammy Award-winning record by Andre Crouch, a first round Emmy nomination for CBS Sports, and recordings with David Sanborn, The Pointer Sisters, Grand Funk Railroad, Michael Murphy, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Anne Murray, Johnny Halliday and Sylvie Vartan, Trini Lopez, Erykah Badu and many others.

In recent years, Ong has been involved in recording and performing with Nicole Hart, whose debut CD, “Treasure,” was released on April 14th with the national label, Blues Leaf Records. Ong and Hart were married August 8th, 2008.

Ms. Hart has released the following statement regarding her husband’s health:

“Hello All: As you may know, in the last year many good things have happened for Lance and me. However, sometimes life finds a need to balance, and now we need your thoughts and prayers.

Lance was admitted to the hospital on February 23rd with what was thought to be pneumonia. After conclusive testing, Lance has been diagnosed with Stage III B Lung Cancer. It is treatable, his prognosis is very good, and we are all hoping for the best. Any of you who know Lance also know that he is one of the most “clean living”, upbeat, positive & musical people on the planet. Though this is a serious shock, we are rallying and preparing to handle this cancer the same way we have always made the most progress within our lives: one foot in front of the other, saying yes to every opportunity.

Lance is currently undergoing chemotherapy and is very positive, ready for a fight! The title track of our new CD is, “Treasure”, named after a song written for Lance because he is a treasure to all who know him. What we need most now is your prayers, positive thoughts and energy. As always, we thank you for your love, your support and your friendship.”

Press: Doug Deutsch Public Relations, 213.924.4901
Booking: Harty Wiedemann, TA733, Blues Boys & Divas Talent, 850.875.2587
Radio Promotions: Rick Lusher, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Blues Leaf Records, Joe Morabia, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
nicolehartband.com, myspace.com/nicolehartband

Friday, January 9, 2009:

"Happy Holidays & Congrats to Blues Leaf Label Mate on his BMA Nomination!"
(This post is from Nicole's Myspace blog)
Current mood: Thrilled!

We wish to congratulate BLUES LEAF RECORDS label mate, ALBERT CASTIGLIA for his nomination yesterday to the 30th Annual BLUES MUSIC AWARDS for Song of the Year, “Bad Year Blues!!!” Albert is a wonderful singer, guitarist and songwriter, and we are privileged he appears as our guest on our upcoming Blues Leaf release for Spring of 2009! 

We are so excited for you, Albert!!

During this special season, joy and happiness will prevail in spite of economic challenges and the temporary condition of our country and world at this time. We hope you and those you love find peace of mind and value the essence of existence.

We wish everyone a soulful, thoughtful and compassionate holiday season, and may the New Year bring you health, happiness & prosperity.  Thank you for being a part of our 2008!

Here’s to a wonderful 2009!!!

Sunday, October 12th, 2008

GRATITUDE

(This post is from Nicole's Myspace blog)

Current mood: Grateful!

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008

WEDDING PIC

(This post is from Nicole's myspace blog)

Current mood: Ecstatic!

Hi, Everyone!  For all of you who have been requesting photos of the wedding, hope this one will suffice for now! This was taken by my father-in-law on the beach just moments after Lance and I were married.  That is Lance’s gorgeous son with us (and, now, my stepson!), Rion, who spoke for us during the ceremony.  Note the ray of sunshine!  Folks, we just want to thank our lucky stars for blessing us with so much love all around us, and that includes each of you! There will be additional photos on the Myspace site soon but, for now, we still have to open two months of mail! ;-)

Bless you all.  It’s great to be back.

Nicole Hart and Lance Ong to Wed in Hawaii by Dave King

Nicole Hart and Lance Ong of the NRG band will wed on August 8, 2008 on the beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. After the wedding, they will start recording their upcoming studio release with Blues Leaf Records, which they hope to release by spring of 2009.

NESTLED BETWEEN the majestic Koolau mountain range on the east side of Honolulu, Hawaii, northeast of Diamond Head State Monument on the north and alongside Maunalua Bay and the blue Pacific Ocean on the south, is the Waialae Country Club, an expansive private PGA golf course with breathtaking vistas, lush Bermuda grass, greens and fairways. With palm trees and other tropical vegetation, which dot the layout and a natural stream that crosses the course and empties into the bay, it would be the perfect venue for any performer. But to Nicole Hart and Lance Ong it is an idyllic backdrop for their wedding.

Nicole Hart and Lance Ong will take their marriage vows on August 8 at 8 am, just after the sun breaks over the horizon from their view on the beach. This panorama will provide a snapshot moment and the sound of circling seagulls and waves lapping on the beach will create a soundtrack that will stir their memories for a lifetime together.

"Many of you thought we were already married! Well, if so, it is because Lance and I have been a team right from the beginning, and we are now making it ’official’, wrote Hart in a glowing wedding announcement to her many fans.

To marry they waited for the perfect date, a date with a special significance. To the Chinese the number 8 symbolizes infinity-it has neither a beginning nor an end. So for Hart and Ong, August 8, 2008 (8/8/08) was the day they chose.

The bride will wear an island-style peacock blue and gold embroidered Tadashi gown purchased for the occasion. The groom will wear a beautiful white embroidered shirt purchased from the Experience Music Project in Seattle, Washington.

Why was the Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, chosen to hold the wedding and reception? According to Hart, "I had been to Hawaii previously and so loved it, that when Lance asked me to marry him, there was never any doubt that we would hold the ceremony there. Also, Lance’s family had all lived there for some time, so they know the local folks and it was very easy and economically sound to do it there, rather than fly everyone over here to New York. Besides, it’s just beautiful! I hope to retire there someday! Doesn’t everyone? I can always hope!"

Nicole Hart and Lance Ong are members of Nicole Hart and The NRG band, fronted by Nicole. The band comprises vocals, bass, keyboards, drums and guitar. The band’s sound is described as a mixture of blues, funk, rhythm and blues and soul. They have played to rave reviews by fans and critics alike wherever they have played. They will wrap up an east coast tour, which will take them from Ohio to as far south as Mobile, Alabama, the Florida panhandle and South Florida, then back home to New York again before they jet across country for their ’Big Day’ on the Honolulu beach.

When they return to the east coast to assume their lives as husband and wife, Hart and Ong will schedule recording their upcoming studio release with Blues Leaf Records, which they hope to release by spring of 2009.

About the Bride and Groom

Nicole Hart

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Hart’s timeless, powerful, intoxicating voice is beautifully soul/sweet - silky, then gritty - classic yet absolutely contemporary - and she is renowned for her electrifying stage presence. Hart’s impressive resume includes work with a variety of music greats such as Harry Belafonte, Billy Joel, Oscar Winning Film Director Jonathan Demme, Richard Bona, Drew Zingg, Chuck Berry, and Bo Diddley; she has opened for Bernard Allison, Odetta, EC Scott and Richie Havens. She has the unique distinction of being the first-ever Caucasian singer for the Hall of Fame Rhythm and Blues super group, the Shirelles.

Lance Ong

Lance Ong, keyboards, vocals, musical director is second generation Chinese-American. Other Ong was part of a team that produced, wrote and arranged over 700 songs and whose credits include a Grammy Award-winning record by Andre Crouch and recordings with David Sanborn, The Pointer Sisters, Grand Funk Railroad, Michael Murphy, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Anne Murray, Johnny Halliday and Sylvie Vartan, Trini Lopez, Erykah Badu and many others. His masterful command of the keyboards is undisputed.

We asked the bride and the groom:

How and where did Lance propose?
This is a secret… :-)

As musicians, did you decide on a wedding song?What is it?
"At Last", because we found each other at last.

As you are getting married in Hawaii, where in the world will you possibly honeymoon?
Waikiki and Kuai.

What is the very first thing you will do upon returning to the mainland as husband and wife?
We have a performance within 24 hours of landing!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

JAMMING IN JOURNAL SQUARE

Hart and soul band ready to take the square by storm today

by Jeffrey Theodore, Staff Arts Writer

Nicole Hart isn't a music snob. Blues, funk, jazz, opera and any extensions of those genres can feel right at home in her repertoire.

"I'm an amalgamation, baby!" she says, with a laugh.

This summer, Hart and the NRG band are traipsing up and down the East Coast, creating a stir with a style inspired by the music industry's greats -- and a measure of their own ingenuity. Hart and her band are making two stops to perform in the summer concert series in Journal Square, one at noon today and again on June 6.

"We did the Journal Square series last year and it's nice that they're having us back," Hart said recently while traveling to a gig in Washington, D.C. "It's a nice series that I think will help revive that part of town. Using music is an excellent way to bring a community together."

Hart, an Atlanta native who grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., said she's never given any thought to doing much else other than music.

"I've been singing since the doctor spanked me as a baby to check out my lungs," she said. "I sing from my heart."

Her affinity for music comes naturally from a father who once sang opera.

"That was his love and he turned me on to it," she said.

That is, until the day she fell in love with a velvet-sounding voice over the radio. At that point, she says, everything changed.

"I was immersed in the classical music until I got turned on to Aretha (Franklin)," Hart said. "Her voice just resonated right through me. The inflection, everything, just moved me."

Hart, who lives in Bergen County, has worked through the years with artists such as Michael Bolton, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and opened concerts for iconic folk musicians like Odetta and Richie Havens. She holds the distinction of being the only white singer to be a member of rhythm and blues girl group The Shirelles. She landed the Shirelles gig after answering an ad in The Village Voice.

"The ad said they were looking for two black female voices," she said. "I called up and told the guys what my qualifications were and they were like 'come on down.' I sang for (Shirelles lead singer) Shirley Alston Reeves and she said, 'I want that girl'. She was very motherly to me and started calling me her 'pink baby."'

In 2005, Hart connected with keyboardist Lance Ong, who has worked with artists such as Erykah Badu and the Pointer Sisters, to create the group NRG.

"Lance is an excellent songwriter," she said. "We write songs together and independently. The goal is to write songs that the fans relate to."

Another goal, she said, is to never disappoint fans at concerts. That's a lesson she learned after one particular performance when she felt ill.

"I remember feeling so sick at this highly promoted gig, and there was a packed house," she said. "I didn't know how I would get through the evening. Within the first five minutes of going on stage, I looked into the audience and saw all these people. They were all dressed up and had paid the door and paid for gas to put in their cars to get there. That's when I realized it's not about me. It's all about the show."

That outlook has helped her deal with bouts of stage fright, too.

"I put the audience in mind at all times, and that's pretty much my formula for success," she said.

Press From the Tour

(This post is from Nicole's myspace blog )

April 28th:

Our first tour was, thankfully, very successful, with crowded venues, phenomenal audiences & wonderful, generous people.  The highlight was Springing the Blues, where I was honored to be the featured female performer.  The festival, in its 18th year, draws 150,000 avid blues music lovers across three days.  Downbeat Magazine reports this festival as being within their Top 50 Worldwide.  Other performers over the weekend included Tinsley Ellis, Michael Burks, Eric Lindell, L'il Ed & The Imperials, Nick Moss & The Flop Tops, Jason Ricci, and Smokin' Joe Kubek.  I finally got to meet Pete "the Blewzman" Lauro and his lovely wife, Rose, who took and contributed photos from the fest (go to the pics page.) I've known of Pete for years through his blues website Mary4music.com, and as a contributing writer to Blues Revue & Blues Wax.  Pete had reviewed our music in the past to my delight, and I was thrilled to meet him at last.

We had many wonderful, wild experiences while on the road.  We're getting ready to do it again but, in the meantime, here are some articles which were published promoting our appearances.  We are so grateful for all the fans, press, positivity and, mostly, for the privilege to perform our music for a living.  Life is good.

UPDATE:  THIS JUST IN, ARTICLE ONLINE & ALSO IN THE BERGEN RECORD NEWSPAPER, Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

TUESDAY, APRIL 29TH , 2008
Alternative NRG
BY ROBERT BIESELIN
STAFF WRITER

Imagine Margo Timmins of Cowboy Junkies swinging to a Bonnie Raitt groove.

That's Nicole Hart (here with NRG bassist Vonnie Hudson).

Soul, Blues, Jazz? You can count on all three -- and then some -- when Nicole Hart and the NRG Band visit Blend Bar in Ridgewood Wednesday night.

If you play your cards right you might even get a singing lesson, too.

TELL ME MORE: The origins of Hart’s career are ironically unusual considering her reputation as an honest performer of soul and jazz standards and originals. It started with a little deception.

When first moving to Maywood after a childhood in Atlanta, the classically- trained soprano responded to an ad in the Village Voice looking for a black singer to perform with Rock- and- Roll Hall of Famers the Shirelles. According to the blonde, Hart says she listed her qualifications over the by phone and scheduled an audition, at which point then she finally informed the band’s musical director that she's white.

He told her to audition anyway, and upon hearing her sing, Shirley Alston herself picked Hart to be a member of the band.

After touring with the Shirelles for a year, Hart continued her enterprising act, going on to play with Billy Joel, Harry Belafonte and Michael Bolton, before eventually forming her own energetic soul/blues band aptly named The NRG Band, which recently released its first  album of live takes.

When she’s not entertaining in North Jersey with her impressive range, the songstress also lends her services to those wishing to develop a voice of their own. Operating out of a Bergen County studio, Hart gives professional vocal and performance lessons, touching on everything from pitch and ear training to etiquette and stage presence.

QUOTE: “Honestly, I have been singing since the doctors took me out of my mama and spanked me for air… that was my first high note.” – Nicole Hart, “All About Jazz”

DETAILS: Blend Bar, 17 Chestnut St., Ridgewood, Wednesday, April 30 (and again on Wednesday, May 28)  Show starts at 8.

***********************************************************************

TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT , Friday, March 28, 2008

Have a Hart

Get energized with Nicole Hart and the NRG Band on Saturday at the Bradfordville Blues Club when they make their first appearance at the club. Hart is a classically trained coloratura soprano, but she belts out everything from a raucous blues croon to a Joplin-esque growl with equal ease. The NRG quartet keeps things quick and tight as her talented rhythm section. Hart and the band can be heard online at www.tallahassee.com. They'll take the stage at 9:30 p.m. at 7152 Moses Lane. Advance tickets are $13, and day-of-show tickets are $15. Students and members of any blues organization get in for $13 on the day of show. Call 906-0766 or visit www.bradfordvilleblues.com.

............................................................................................................................

BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

Blues Band to Boogie Beaches

By Tammy Roberts, Staff writer

Heads turn when blonde belle Nicole Hart steps on stage.

But it's the strong, soulful voice of this Atlanta native who commands a second look.

Brevardians and beyond are invited to jam with blues singer Nicole Hart and The NRG Band at the Sebastian Beach Inn in Melbourne Beach April 5.

Formed in October 2005, the five-member group isn't your average blues band.

Boasting an eclectic blend of blues, R&B, soul and funk, members said they strive for an enticing, yet distinct sound in their music.

That's due in part to lead singer Ms. Hart, who has dabbled in almost every genre of music, from country to classical, and who has taught herself all elements of the music industry, from touring to recording.

"Nicole is hands-on when it comes to radio, press, venues, touring and almost every aspect of her music," said publicist Doug Deutsch, who has known Ms. Hart for the past three years. "She's unlike any other performer I've ever worked with."

If it wasn't for her strong involvement and willingness to learn, Ms. Hart said she would never be where she is today - with an agent, management team and an album under her belt.

"I felt it was crucial to do all of the necessary research in the industry that I could do," Ms. Hart said. "In the beginning, I was really doing it all - booking gigs, developing a Web site, making contacts. It became a real grassroots effort between me and Lance."

Keyboardist and singer Lance Ong is one of the original members of Ms. Hart's band, as well as the group's current music director.

Before teaming up with NRG Band, Mr. Ong was part of a team that produced, wrote and arranged more than 700 songs and worked with artists such as Andre Crouch, David Sanborn and The Pointer Sisters.

Ms. Hart and Mr. Ong are the primary songwriters on the group's first album, "Live NRG," which was released in 2006.

On the album, the group brings seven high "NRG" tracks, each showcasing a different element of Ms. Hart's powerful voice and unique style.

"Believe it or not, my dad was an opera singer," Ms. Hart said. "I started out the same way - immersed in classical music. As much as I loved it, I realized it wasn't for me. I really just like to get down and boogie. This is my niche."

Ms. Hart's favorite tracks on the album are "I Heard," because of its subtle lyrics and beat, "Think About Love," the group's most popular track, and "Treasure," which she wrote based on a true life experience.

In October, the group plans to head back to the studio to record another album.

Beginning this week, the band will take off on a Southeast trip, performing in Georgia, Alabama and North Florida before making a stop in Brevard County.

A former Jacksonville resident, Ms. Hart said she's looking forward to returning to Florida and meeting new fans along the way.

"It's the audience that drives me and keeps me doing what I do," Ms. Hart said. "When you feel that connection once, you strive to feel it again."

............................................................................................................................

NRGized by the blues
BY BREUSE HICKMAN • FLORIDA TODAY • April 4, 2008


Singer Nicole Hart is gaining a Southeast buzz for her contemporary mix of blues, soul and funk with the NRG Band. But she credits two epiphanies for putting her on her current career course.

The first occurred while she was working as a professional singer-for-hire and was attempting to lay down tracks "for a song I just couldn't get behind, some disco tune," she says by phone.

"At that moment, I made a decision to keep a certain level of integrity. I find I've always been drawn to blues and soulful music. And that's what I intended to make."

Her second eureka moment occurred a few years ago when she felt so ill she came close to canceling a nearly sold-out gig.

But just before the show, "I had a total paradigm shift," she says. "I suddenly got a grasp on the big picture and realized that it's not all about me. It's about my audience.

"You can't feel good every night. But you know? By the end of every show, I know I'm going to feel great."

The group is performing several dates in Florida, including this weekend's Sebastian Beach Inn gig. But perhaps the biggest stop is the Springing the Blues Fest tonight in Jacksonville Beach.

"It's a three day-event, and I'm the only female headline (act) there," she said.

Inspired by soulful belters Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Bonnie Raitt, as well as Stevie Wonder and the late Donnie Hathaway, Hart grew up singing in church choirs and learning her craft while singing a cappella as part of madrigal singing groups. She studied classical music in college but, "during the first six months, I realized it wasn't for me," she said. "I love opera, but I don't get down with it."

Now free to explore within the bluesey goalposts she and her band have set up, she says she always gives her audience an original sound -- even when performing covers.

"We like to get funky," she said.

The band recently released a CD of original tunes, "Live NRG."

"I've heard there is a buzz about us, and I'm pleased I keep hearing about it," she said. "Every room we've played on the tour has been filled to capacity."

............................................................................................................................

PANAMA CITY NEWS HERALD~  Thursday, March 27, 2008

By Brady Calhoun, Staff Writer

Nicole Hart & The NRG Band playing PineappleWilly's

Nicole Hart & The NRG Band will bring their blues, soul, funk to Pineapple Willy's this Sunday. Their album, "Live NRG," showcases Hart's strong vocals and the band's dexterity.  And any album that covers an Allman Brother's song automatically gets extra points.

Hart said she and the band picked Hot'lanta because she was born there and because it gives the band an excuse for long improvised jams. Hart's smokin' music should translate well to the stage. In an interview last week, Hart said she always has "the audience in mind." "My primary goal when I perform is to be as musical as possible, as entertaining as possible and communicate with my audience as much as possible," Hart said. "This is a band that really likes to jam out and play together. We never do the same thing twice."

Although Hart was born in Atlanta she grew up in Jacksonville and the Pineapple Willy's show is part of a tour through Florida. "I'm really looking forward to spending time in Florida again," Hart said. Hart lived for a while in New York City but ultimately fled to New Jersey. "I just missed the trees," Hart said. Her home in north New Jersey is "just beautiful, lush and green and lots of trees."

Hart's influences are reflected in her soul filled singing. R & B singer Chaka Kahn, jazz great Ella Fitzgerald and the reigning queen of soul Aretha Franklin are particularly strong influ ences, she said. Fitzgerald's "Ella in Rome" album "just knocks me out," Hart said. Another important album to Hart is "Kind of Blue" by Miles Davis. "Every time I hear that music I hear something new," Hart said.

Hart and her band hope to bring the sam e sorts of surprises when they play live, she said.  "Every one of them is an outstanding soloist," Hart said of her band. "The thing I bear in mind is if the audience is loving it … just let it go."

.............................................................................................................................

Blues Festival Guide Article & Albert Castiglia’s New CD,
"These Are the Days" Due Out April 1, 2008
(This post is from Nicole's myspace blog)

March 9th:

Sunday seems to be the day of the week when I catch my breath and look back at recent events...this past week the Blues Festival Guide ran a very nice article about our signing to Blues Boys & Divas Talent:

click here:  BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE - NICOLE HART ON TOUR

As the result of this article we have already received reaches from new talent buyers and festivals interested in bringing us to their events and venues. Our agent is pretty happy!

In other news, one warm sunny day last year I got an urgent phone call from a good friend of mine, Rick Lusher, letting me know that Albert Castiglia was in town recording for his new CD. Could I drop everything and get over there to lend a hand with vocals? It seems after Albert finished recording the track, he said  he wished he had background vocals for his cover of the great Ray Charles classic, "Night Time is the Right Time." Well, Rick pounced on that idea and bright and early the next day he picked up the phone to call me and another dear friend of ours, Ms. Sweet Suzi Smith (who also just released a CD - www.myspace.com/sweetsuzi) to ask would we be willing to come for the session? Suzi & her manager, Suzanne Foschino (www.myspace.com/suzannephotography1) dropped everything and drove 3 hours out to the studio in Jersey. I had slept in and was just getting my messages....I had a show myself that night in a completely different direction, but I knew recording for Albert was a very worthy cause! So, Lance and I packed up the wheels for the gig later that evening & headed off to the studio in Central Jersey with plans to "hit it & quit it", as James Brown says! Ben Elliott's ShowPlace Studio was beautiful and sounded great. Grammy winning producer, Jack Kreisberg, was at the helm and made the session go 1, 2, 3. Suzi and I were fooling around at the end of the track & Suzi let out a riff. The next take, at the end of the track I let out a gospel riff of my own, thinking that she would, too, and that we'd get that soul sista thang happening at the end...But she didn't jump in! I was surprised and asked Jack, "Is that what you wanted?" Well, they laughed out loud and, as it turns out, they kept my riff AND my question at the end of the track for the finished master. Funny stuff...I still wish Suzi and I had done the thing together...it would've sounded great, but I'm very happy they kept the riff. 

Albert's guitar playing is legendary; he used to play for Junior Wells. What you may not know is that Albert's voice is AMAZING! Not many people could pull off a Ray Charles cover, but boy does he. In fact, his vocals on the entire CD are just great. I think this record will put him on the map as not only a great guitarist but also, a great singer. His previous CD, "A Stone's Throw" was number one on XM Satellite & Music Choice, & #2 most played on Sirius Radio. I'm sure this one will do that and more. Albert's CD is scheduled for worldwide release on April 1st, but is already receiving airplay. Make sure you check it out.

K, more news on the way, with another formal announcement soon. Keep an eye out!

TOUR & AIRPLAY
Current mood: blessed
(This post is from Nicole's myspace blog)

January 20, 2008:

Writing here the morning after three great shows - I feel so very blessed to perform and make music for & with everyone who comes to see us: we have really wonderful fans & friends. And I just LOVE that so many of our musician friends stop by & sit in. What a party!!! Everybody wins! Love it. After taking a month off, it was good to see you all and make the hang. I love spending time with each of you. With all that singing & talking, I'm exhausted but very happy. I know I have to pace myself coming up as we have a ton of shows booked. After taking a month off over the Holidays, I forgot what it feels like the next day (a little bit sore all over - if you've seen one of our shows, you know why!)

ANYWAY, so what's going on: we're doing some nice regional shows in Feb & then gearing up to hit the road the last week of March to tour down South. I just found out we got a primo spot at Springing the Blues, a great annual festival in Jacksonville, Florida. We're very pleased and honored. I have to say that our agent, Harty Wiedemann, is doing a fabulous job looking out for us. Check out the schedule; it's lining up beautifully, and we are really looking forward to bringing our show to you all, to meeting new people and, God willing, making new fans.

Speaking of making new fans, we've been receiving airplay from around 300 Blues shows nationwide since this time last year, and we're still getting adds. Amazing! There are so many generous DJs out there willing to give new artists a chance &, if they like what they hear, they put it out there. I'm counting my lucky stars, believe me.

So, we're preparing for the road: there's a lot to do, not the least of which is bringing the touring band together. We are fortunate to use some of the absolute finest players in the region, as you know.   This tour is no exception!

OK folks, that's all for now. Thank you for all the love you are showing us. I'm shining it right back to you!

NATIONAL AGENT
Current mood:Jubilant

(This post is from Nicole's myspace blog)

December 3rd :

I'm pleased to announce that we are now being represented by Blues Boys And Divas Talent Agency for festival appearances & club dates in the United States.  I'm honored to be on the roster along with legends "Eddie Kirkland" and "Alberta Adams", as well as up and coming artists such as "Motor City Josh" & "Eric Culberson."

Blues Boys & Divas was created by in 1996 by Harty Wiedemann, who saw a real need for musical Artists to be well represented and have their business concerns addressed. Now, almost 12 years later, the Roster includes some of the most exciting acts in the Blues & Blues-Rock genres, consistently delivering first class entertainment.

"Having worked with many great Artists and also as an Artist myself, I understand how important it is to help each Artist build his or her name by working with them on PR, their image as an Artist, and by placing them into Venues which are best suited to enhance their career. Last but not least, negotiating the very best performance contracts possible for them is my primary goal." ~ Harty Wiedemann

We are excited for this opportunity and are now booking for Summer 2008. Please check out Blues Boys And Divas on The Web:

http://bluesboys.com/home

http://bluesboys.com/home/nicole-hart-the-nrg-band

http://www.myspace.com/bluesboysbooking

Thank ALL of you so much for your support!  We have come this far because of YOU!!!

We'd love to see you at the next performance and, in the meantime, if there are any venues you want to recommend to us, or radio stations you want to call on our behalf, we would consider you a part of our personal NRG street team! You have our thanks & friendship. We also want to extend thanks to the many photographers who have lent their incredible talent & artisty to help capture the visual side of an NRG performance. Thank you!