New development plans for Asbury Park may mean the end of the Stone Pony. At best the legendary club may be moved to the Casino area, but this is far from certain and could take a long time where the club would be inactive. As it looks now, the area where the club is now located will be used for condos and retail stores. Although a list of priorities for the new ocean front does mention "preserving the memories of past entertainment", this could mean the beginning of the end for an era. For more information, read this article on Asburypark.net. Read more

   

Bobby Bandiera will be the musical headliner at a benefit concert for two of the WTC victims on December 7. The two victims are Charles Karczewski and Jim Berger. The latter became known in the Springsteen community after his death when Bruce sent a video of himself playing "Thunder Road" to his fan's funeral. Charles Karczewski was a friend and colleague of Berger and moreover the brother in law of Stone Pony staff photographer John Cavanaugh. For more information, check Stone Pony Online. Read more

   

benefit shows at the Convention Hall in Asbury Park. The dates are December 3,4,6,7, and 8. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, November 27, at 9 AM EST through Ticketmaster phones only. The price is $50 and $100, and there will be a limit of two tickets per person. Proceeds of the ticket sale will go to selected local charities. Read the official press release. Read more

   

E Street bassist Garry Tallent is once again behind two benefit shows in New Jersey. The shows, which are going to take place on November 24 and 25 at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, will be a tribute to Elvis Presley's old record Label, Sun Records, and will benefit World Hunger Year and the Alliance of Neighbors of Monmouth County. According to Asburypark.net, Bruce Springsteen has been invited to participate, but no word on whether he will accept the inviation. Read more

   

"King of Salsa" Marc Anthony was treated with an early Christmas present when Bruce Springsteen contacted him and gave him a song he wrote for his son, "I'll Stand By You Always". The song will be included on Anthony's album Mended which is scheduled for release in January Read more

   

Last Monday Bruce made the speech when Little Steven Van Zandt was awarded with the Creative Coalition's Spotlight Award. The award is given to people who contribute to political education whether it's right-wing or left-wing. In his speech Bruce described Steven's creation of the Solidarity Foundation as something "where art was more than ideas. He walked it he liked he talked it. He put his money - maybe a little of mine - where his mouth was." You can read more about Steven's political work on his website. Read more

   

On September 21 the four major US television networks got together to pay tribute to the heroes and victims of the 9/11 tragedy. The show featured some of the world's biggest stars, including Bruce Springsteen singing "My City of Ruins". Now all these performances will see a worldwide release on a double CD and DVD/video, and it will happen just in time for the holidays on December 5. Needless to say, all proceeds will go to the Telethon fund. Read more

   

As planned, Live in New York City was released on DVD in the United States on November 6. More surprisingly, the VHS version has been released simultaneously. In selected stores the first few customers were treated with a bonus CD containing live versions of "This Hard Land" and "My Hometown" recorded on June 29, 2000. So while all this is good news for the Americans, people in other parts of the world may have to face a long delay. There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding when the DVD will show up in European and Australian shops. Some say November 12, others November 19, but we also heard that it won't be out until December, all this because of sound problems on the second disc. Whatever the case, fans are looking forward to something good. The first reactions to the release from the US have been extremely positve. Read more

   

Just like last year Bruce made an appearance at the annual Light of Day benefit at Tradewinds. He joined Joe Grushecky for six songs: "Light of Day", "Lucille", "Twist and Shout", "Ramrod", "Fire" and "Talking to the King", although this is probably not the right order. The show benefited the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. Read more

   

If you thought last year's two Christmas shows at the Convention Hall in Asbury Park was a one off event, think again. This year will see no less than four shows in the same place, on December 3, 4, 6 and 7. We don't have any details yet, but people in the know seem to think it's a sure thing. As soon as we know when tickets will go on sale, we'll post it, but if you live in the area you may want to be on constant alert as it could all happen very quickly. Read more