I was a young musician caught up in the hype
In 1996 I was the keyboardist for singer/songwriter Jim Kilby's band. We had a gig opening for Nils Lofgren at Metro Lounge in Long Branch, NJ. Now, around this particular portion of the Jersey Shore, there's a singer as well known for making surprise local appearances as he is for his hit records and ecstatic marathon concerts.
On this particular night, Nils had an extra guitar set up on stage with an extra mic. There was a heavy buzz in the room like a certain guest artist was going to join him onstage. And we were pretty stoked that we might have ended up indirectly opening for you-know-who.
That moment never materialized. But one thing sure did. I took a big step closer to becoming a fan, as I grew to more deeply appreciate this mystery non-guest's artistry and poetry. And I was thrilled to learn from our road manager that Nils liked our set!
A book brought it to life in my mind
An encounter with the audiobook “I Don't Want to Go Home: An Oral History of the Stone Pony” by Nick Corasaniti fueled my imagination for what a night at a Jersey Shore bar would be like when this “regular guy who's larger than life,” as I would later write in the song, makes an unannounced showing. There were stories about lines that formed by the payphone outside the bathroom so local patrons can call all their friends and spread the news that the answer to “Will he or won't he” is a resounding yes. There were accounts of rapturous fans dancing up on the bar during an encore that they were at the right place at the right time to catch.
The legend becomes a key album moment
When I understood that the songs I'd already written were outlining a story of the Jersey Shore's music scene history, I got the idea for an energetic soul/rock jam called “You-Know-Who.” And in the writing process, I felt a flood of happy and excited memories from that night at the Metro Lounge come into my mind and heart. I felt reconnected with that buzz of anticipation I felt in the room.
And one unannounced surprise deserves another: For the first time, here's the unreleased track “You-Know-Who” by Jason Didner and the GSPs on the upcoming album “Asbury Heart!”
🎟️ If you want to hear this song played live in a place where this legend began — enter to win a pair of tickets to the May 15 album launch at Porta in Asbury Park.
https://jasondidner.com/giveaway