Portions of today’s sales will benefit Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, N.Y. on behalf of my non-profit animal rights organization, R.O.A.R. (Respect Our Animals’ Rights). Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/respectouranimalsrights/
It was just one of those years where the “hits” just kept on coming and there’s not enough hours in the day for me to write about all of them.
Since I really don’t like to focus on negativity, let’s just say, THANK GOD for music; it’s what makes the world go ’round, and a salvation to many. Like every other year, 2016 was no worse in the music department. There were so many live performances my husband and I attended this year, including a few of his own with Rob Fusari and Pharoah. And my “Learn + Listen” series which made the cover of the Caldwell News: http://www.mypaperonline.com/library-patrons-learn-and-listen-about-famous-musicians.html
Lucky me, I also was blessed to write about many performances for various publications.
Whether it was outdoor concerts, or indoor venues, there was not one bad show in the lot. It’s always so hard to pick a “favorite” but as every music fan knows, there are those songs and moments that keep popping into your head, days, even weeks, after the show is over. To any musician who is reading, whether you’re mentioned here or not, if I approached you after a show, I sincerely loved your act.
That said, in my humble opinion, I’d like to present what I felt was the best on my radar this year. ENJOY!
BEST SONG/VIDEO – ROB FUSARI “Let Love Down”
TOP THREE LIVE PERFORMANCES
1 – ROB FUSARI – The Bitter End, NYC, May 24, 2016
(“Your Trap” featuring Andrea Martin, Matt, Mario, Dennis, and The Constellations)
2 – SOUND + VISION: THE MUSIC OF DAVID BOWIE (Musical Direction: RICHARD BARONE) – Outpost in the Burbs, Montclair, NJ, Friday, Dec. 16, 2016
(“Fame” featuring Richard Barone, Jeffrey Gaines, Burnt Sugar Arkestra, Nick Celeste. In other outstanding performances: Wesley Stace and Elvis Perkins)
(“The Tower” featuring Punky Meadows, Danny Anniello, Chandler Mogel, Bob Pantella, Charlie Calv, Randy Gregg. Felix Robinson also performed on bass in this show)
BEST ALBUM – THE MONKEES “GOOD TIMES”
“She Makes Me Laugh” from The Monkees “Good Times”
BEST VINYL – JACK WHITE “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”
How cool to hear this on a record player!
BEST MUSIC MOVIE – “LET ME DOWN HARD”
Starring Keith Roth, DJ 95.9 The Rat “Electric Ballroom,” performs with Frankenstein 3000 and David Johansen; songwriter for Punky Meadows and so much more!
BEST MUSIC BOOK – CARMINE APPICE “STICK IT!”
Honest; and in a strange way, endearing! Loved it!
And, again, because some things have to be said more than once, in my own little world, quite a few super cool things happened to ease the pain of the sadness, like going to see so much live music, being around amazing people, being able to write for a living — and public speaking (which includes music and health programs!) Not to mention, my incredible husband who is my rock through all the hardships and triumphs. All in all, there were two stand-outs that made this year incredible.
First I got a new kitty, Nicholas Gray; my husband and I adore our new snuggle bun! How can you not?
Nicholas Gray
And, thanks to Ashley Valentin-Patino, I became a professional wedding officiant, and will be marrying many more people in 2017! Speaking of “bests” Ashley’s wedding to Mitchell was not only the best of 2016, but aside from my own, I’d say the best wedding of all time!
May 2017 will bring more love, music, and happiness to the world! Grim Reaper — be gone with you!
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta and Ashley Valentin-Patino
Authors, from left, Linda Holt, Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta, Melanie Mitchell
It was my honor to sign copies of my two books, “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” and “Love Cats” at Randy Now’s Man Cave in Bordentown, NJ, yesterday (Sunday, Dec. 19, 2016).
In addition to rubbing elbows with other authors, Mary Muehleisen was also there representing her late brother, Maury Muehleisen who played guitar with Jim Croce, and died in a plane crash with Jim at the age of 24. She was selling two of Maury’s solo CDs (which are incredible, by the way! What a gorgeous voice he had, and a beautiful guitarist and songwriter).
Interesting story, a customer came in to buy a Jim Croce record for his girlfriend for Christmas. He did not know that Mary Muehleisen was going to be there. What a beautiful coincidence. The customer brought one of her brother’s CDs.
Mary Muehleisen and Maryanne Mistretta
It was such an honor to meet these wonderful ladies, as well as selling quite a few books!
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta, Randy Now’s Mommy, and Randy Now!
Thanks so much to Randy Now for hosting such a wonderful, memorable event!
My books on sale in Randy Now’s Man Cave!
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta works as a professional journalist and public speaker. Her books are available on Amazon.
Dennis Lords ESP Custom Halloween Japanese Hell double neck Guitar
It’s been one helluva trying year, having to put my beautiful 19-year-old cat, Derick, down earlier this year; then my father-in-law passing just a few weeks ago. But my husband and I pulled through to enjoy the best night of the year — Halloween! And take some great shots to remember this one! ENJOY!
Yesterday my husband and I got word that our new rescue cat has a perfect bill of health.
He’s about 3-years-old and a friendly little bugger. He loves to cuddle, but really loves to play. He’s also a big guy; at 11 pounds, he’s heavy!
It’s been so long that we had a cat so close to kitten-hood. My last two lived to 19. The oldest, Billy Cat, passed in 2013 and Derick, just a little over a month ago.
Derick wasn’t even gone a week and friends started asking if we wanted a cat. We weren’t ready. We mourned a long time and even after getting Nicholas, things about him reminded us about our others that made us sad.
That’s the thing, you never forget your old cats. But a new one can bring so much joy. Since my other two lived so long, I forgot what it was like to have a cat that loved toys and jumped around a lot and scattered through the house. It’s just so much fun!
Like the other two, Nicholas has some “dog-like” qualities. He loves people. He runs to the door when we come home. And he’s very affectionate, purring up a storm when we hold him.
Just like love for a human being, it’s always when you least expect it that you’ll fall in love with a new pet. When the right one comes along to adopt, you just KNOW it.
The Seaside Heights Animal Welfare Organization has cared for the majestic cats of the Seaside Boardwalk by creating a colony system, which provides well maintained shelters and feeding stations since 2012. Through grants and individual donations, over 300 cats have been trapped, neutered and released at no cost to the tax payers. We all love to see the cats under the Boardwalk but the way they control the rodent population in this tourist hot spot is of huge importance. Recently, the board members who work tirelessly each day to feed and maintain the colonies, have been stripped of their positions leaving the cats without the care they are used to or supportive people who would do anything to protect them. Please sign this petition to help the Mayor of Seaside Heights understand how important these cats are to the public who visit this town regularly and love seeing them. Further, to see how the team leading SSHAWO need to be reinstated to their established place helping the cats in a hands in way. With the upcoming camp outs on the beaches-the cats are of critical importance against rodents that might move in. TNR works and this group is a wonderful part of the town of Seaside Heights. Please sign and share with anyone who comes to the Jersey Shore.
I am ecstatic to accidentally have come across a five-star rating and book review of my second book “Love Cats” on the “Reader’s Favorite” website, written by Janelle Fila: https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/love-cats
Here is Janelle Fila’s five star review (Thank-you Janelle! <3)
Love Cats by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta is a sizzling romance set in the 1980s that is part historical fiction and part hot and steamy romance. Janey Peyton is a goth chick who also happens to be filthy rich. Alone and lonely, Janey meets Beck Stewart at a trendy night club. The two hit it off and seem to be moving in the right direction. Except for a love of cats, the two have a lot in common (Beck has a cat he loves but Janey is not fond of felines). Until Beck starts spending too much time at work and Janey’s jealousy gets the better of her. She decides to take revenge on Beck and teach him a lesson. Will she ruin the one good thing she has going in her life? How much will Beck take before he gives up on Janey forever?
The best thing about this story is the 1980s setting. The author does a fantastic job of creating a very realistic setting and never deviates from it. Readers who love all things ’80s will love this story. Likewise, readers who are cat fans will also get a big kick out of this story as well. It was fantastically written, especially the two characters. I loved the differences between Janey and Beck, but I also loved when they came together. They had a chemistry that seemed very authentic and I was rooting for them the entire story.
Honest; and in a strange way, endearing! Loved it!
Nicholas Gray
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta and Ashley Valentin-Patino
Dennis Lords ESP Custom Halloween Japanese Hell double neck Guitar
Our new Love Cat, Nicholas Gray
Love ❤ 
