Lou Christie, The Happenings, Johnny Farina at PNC Bank Arts Center, 5-31-14

Published May 31, 2014 by Maryanne

Heading down to the show!

Johnny Farina and his steel guitar

Lou Christie!

Backstage!

I was ecstatic going down to the PNC Bank Arts Center last night to see The Doo Wop Extravaganza, knowing that Lou Christie was the head lining act! I had a strong feeling I’d get a chance to meet him!

There were so many great acts. I lost the program so the ones I remember off the top of my heard were Johnny Farina (famous for Santos and Johnny with the hit “SleepWalker”), Chris Montez (“The More I See You, The More I Want You”), The Happenings “See You in September” , The Devotions, The Knock Outs and The Teenagers.

Lou Christie was my favorite. He did his string of hits, opening with “Baby, I’m Gonna Make You Mine,” “and then others including “The Gypsy Cried,” “Two Faces Have I,” “Rhapsody in the Rain,” “Beyond the Blue Horizon,” and closed with a most gorgeous version of “Never My Love.”

Afterwards my husband and I had the honor of going back stage to meet Lou! He was fun and very nice! I got his autograph and gave him a copy of my book, “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” since I mentioned him in it, as his song, “I’m Gonna Make You Mine” was one of my favorites as a little girl.

He was so funny, he said, “And you’re still a little girl!”

We had a great conversation and talked to Dennis (my husband) and I quite a bit before other fans started cutting in. I left giving my condolences regarding the tragic loss of his son.

We also got to meet members of The Happenings.

A night I’ll never forget!

“On the Guest List” Reading and Signing at Union Public Library

Published May 27, 2014 by Maryanne

Reading from “On the Guest List”

The turn out for the Union Public Library was awesome! It was a mix of friends and family as well as people I didn’t know, which is always great. I met some really cool people.

This time I featured stories about honoring my high school homeroom teacher, who passed away last week and is mentioned in the book; and friend Bob Farina who worked as roadie and pyro technic with The Plasmatics.

In the Q&A segment I told stories about Johnny Rotten/Lydon, fashion icon Oleda Baker, song writer Lori Burton, and much more.

Thanks so much to the Union Public Library for having me! Librarian Norma Wine was awesome!

And thanks so much to my husband and all our friends who came; as well as new people I just met tonight. It was really super fun!

With church friend, cutie Kathleen

With pretty new friend, Ashley – She’s a HIM fan too!

(And check out the Cry Baby shirt — I have the same one!)

With musician Danny Solazzi of The Characters (I’m a big fan!)

With my adorable friend Mair!

With our very good friend Mark

With librarian, Norma Wine, a fabulous person!

A library board member purchased a book as a gift!

How cool is that?!

Norma gave me an awesome introduction I’ll never forget!

Getting ready!

“On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” is available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/162903908X

Follow “On the Guest List” on Face Book for more upcoming events. They are always different and we always have a great time!

Hey, Hey, We’re the Monkees! (NJPAC, Newark, 5-24-14)

Published May 25, 2014 by Maryanne

Anticipating!

It was so amazing going to see the Monkees Reunion, which I saw back in 1986. (And then saw Micky Dolenz perform solo in the ’00s and also Michael Nesmith solo two winters ago).

Their tour website has some great photos, plus the set lists: http://www.monkeesconcerts.com/blog/category/2014-monkees-tour

My photos would have been so much better if I was allowed to use “flash” but we were instructed not to.

Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork

Micky

My favorite, Michael Nesmith!

Second song he sang, I was already choked up in tears! His work just moves me!

The excitement goes on and on and on!

This Monkee’s Gone To Heaven

I got extremely teary-eyed during the Davy Jones tribute, “Daydream Believer.” RIP to a legend!

The whole stellar band! Some are members of Nesmith’s family.

The second girl to the right is Coco Dolenz, Micky’s sister.

My husband Dennis, Me and our friend Johnny

The Monkee Mobile!

Dancing in the Rain

Published May 24, 2014 by Maryanne

I must be the luckiest person in the world.

Yesterday, I spent the second half of the day writing my second book and decided to go for a bike ride since it was so gorgeous out. Well, I got half way around the park and it started drizzling. I thought I’d be able to make it home, but then suddenly it was torrential, almost blinding and I was stuck.

I had no cell phone with me. It was just me and my bike. So there I was, out in the middle of a park, about to enter a wooded area. I was stranded and helpless.

I had no choice but to knock on the door of a random home for shelter and to ask if I could use the phone to call my husband Dennis.

In this day and age, I don’t make it a habit of knocking on random doors, but we live in a lovely area and I heard children, so I figured it was safe.

The children answered the door and I asked, “Can I speak to your Mom and Dad? I need to use the phone.”

The dad came out and said “Sure.”

Then the mom came out and she screamed, “MARYANNE!”

She knew me! Then I recognized her from church! She invited me in. Her husband let me use his cell to call my husband. Dennis wasn’t home yet, so the husband was nice enough to give me a ride home! The wife offered me a glass of wine or tea, but I was soaking wet and said I’d prefer the ride. (Plus, I didn’t want Dennis to worry about me). They were so nice they said they’d keep my bike in their garage until I was able to pick it up!

Of all the homes I could have knocked on the door, what are the chances of me picking out a random home that turned out to be the home of someone I knew from church? If you’re not a believer of God or a higher power, this story will definitely make you a believer!

When I got home, safe, to my husband, we had such a laugh over this. I was drenched and couldn’t wait to get changed, but we both just stood there laughing and laughing at how funny and cool this story was! A definite dance in the rain!

RIP, to My Homeroom Teacher

Published May 23, 2014 by Maryanne

This morning I received an email from my high school homeroom teacher’s daughter. He passed suddenly. (Funeral services are after the holiday). I reconnected with Michael when I was writing “On the Guest List” because I wanted to mention him in the book — as he was a very cool teacher and I once saw him at a Plasmatics show. He gave me his blessing to write about him, but to only use his first name. In my teenage years I thought it was the most amazing thing to see a teacher at a concert because you know how it is when you’re a teenager — even if someone is only a few years older than you, you think they’re old and not hip to cool things. So seeing him at the concert made my night; it was a bonding experience I’ll never forgot — a teacher liked the same music I did!

We sent several emails back and forth and I’m happy he purchased my book and knew how fond I was of him before his passing. His daughter reached out to me a few times. I inspired her to become a music journalist — she is now writing for The Aquarian Arts Weekly.

Michael said we were going to have lunch once his health got better. Sadly that never happened.

RIP to a super cool guy, I was honored to know. Of all the teachers in my high school, he was THE BEST and I’ll never forget him.

My “Newsies” Lecture at Brielle Public Library

Published May 21, 2014 by Maryanne

“Extra, extra, hear all about it!”

I was so honored to present my lecture: “Newsies: History of the Newspaper Industry” at the Brielle Public Library last night. I’ve worked in the newspaper industry most of my adult life prior to becoming an author. I had a great time and met some amazing people there!

I’ll be presenting this lecture two more times this week at assisted living facilities.

For more information on the lectures I present, visit my website: www.peartreeenterprises.com

Gorgeous Library

My supportive husband, Dennis

It was so cool, we showed up extra early and Leslie, the director, provided mineral water. Very classy!

At Point Pleasant, afterwards, I make friends everywhere!

The boardwalk’s looking pretty good two years after hurricane!

Hmmm… where shell we eat?

We decided to eat at Jake’s Crab House

Grabbed some clams on a half shell and coleslaw at Jake’s. We had a great time!

Killer condiments!

My love! (see the palm trees behind us!)

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta’s Writing Process~Blog Tour ~ Guest Post

Published May 19, 2014 by Maryanne

Thanks again to Joanne Best for the interview!

joannebest

I’m just the instrument in this one, I’m honored to post Maryanne’s leg of the Writing Process Blog Tour, so with no further ado, take it away Maryanne!

1.What are you working on?

I am now tweaking a fictitious chick lit love story that takes place in the 1980s called “Love Cats.” I’m thrilled that Cynthia Santiglia will be copyediting. She’s worked as copy editor with an author I highly admire, Lisa Carver, so it’s an honor that Cynthia took an interest in working for me!

2.How does your work differ from others of it’s genre?

For my first book, “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” it’s different than other rock ‘n’ roll memoirs because there’s no downward spiral into drugs and depression. (That’s how one of my endorsers, columnist and author Judy McGuire, put it!)

“On the Guest List” is an upbeat book with many fun…

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Ladies And Gentlemen, Pleased To Meet Her ~ Writing Process Blog Tour ~ Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta

Published May 19, 2014 by Maryanne

Thanks so much to Joanne Best for including me on her “Blog Tour.” This is the bio, stay tuned for the interview!

joannebest

In continuing with the Writers Process Blog Tour, I am honored to (re)introduce you to someone I look up to, someone who inspires me every day in every way. Maryanne is as beautiful inside as she is on the outside. Here’s a little bit of information about her to be followed by Maryanne’s leg of the Blog Tour.
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta has been writing professionally since 1995. She’s a self-employed award-winning writer and public speaker. Her work has appeared in The Paterson Press, Westfield Alternative Press, Millburn-Short Hills Alternative Press, South Orange Alternative Press, Maplewood Alternative Press, Suburban Essex, The Patch, The Montclair Times, The Jersey City Independent, Skinny News, NJ Health & Fitness, The Aquarian Arts Weekly (which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, April 2012), The West Sider, The Chelsea Clinton News, music.com, Tattoo Review, Punk Magazine, and Exit, to name a few.

Her first book…

View original post 66 more words

Another Successful Face Book Reunion!

Published May 17, 2014 by Maryanne

Me and Christine

Christine and I reconnected on Face Book last summer. We haven’t seen each other since early ’00 at a Buzzcocks show at Maxwells, Hoboken.

Today were had a very happy reunion, lunching at Natalie’s in Ridgewood and then some shopping!

Book Signing, Lincoln Park Public Library

Published May 15, 2014 by Maryanne

Carolyn and me

I had a great reading/signing at the Lincoln Park Public Library tonight! It was great when friends showed up and super cool when people I didn’t know showed up that were interested in the book! Carolyn pictured above, I just met!

I read for about a half hour and then had a Q&A. Carolyn asked me a great question: “What is your favorite song?”

That was way too hard to answer, but I said my three favorite songs to play over and over again (in no certain order) are:

1. “Plus One” by Coyote Shivers

2. “I’m Gonna Make You Mine” by Lou Christie

3. “Time and Love” by the Fifth Dimension

The Lincoln Park Library also asked me to donate a book for their “Local Author” section! I was so psyched about that.

And the coolest thing, earlier today I received an email from my home room teacher’s daughter, who said I inspired her to become a music journalist! She’s now writing for the Aquarian/Arts Weekly — where I once wrote!

Signing Carolyn’s book