Trop rock show to help New Hope Foundation

Jim Morris and the Big Bamboo Band will take the stage at New Hope Foundation's first Trop Rock Festival on Sept. 21 from 1-7 p.m. at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands. Other featured musicians include John Frinzi, Doyle Grisham, Rackett, Sunny Jim White, Charlie De- Cosa and Gary Philips.

Tickets are $40 per adult and $15 per child, and are available at www.newhopefoundation. org, or by calling 732-946- 3030, ext. 226. Event proceeds will benefit New Hope Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Marlboro which provides treatment for alcohol, drug and gambling addictions.

"New Hope Foundation has been helping people overcome their addictions and reclaim their lives since 1976," said Tony Comerford, president and CEO of New Hope Foundation. "Proceeds from this benefit concert will enable us to continue offering high-quality substance abuse treatment to those with the least ability to pay."

According to a press release, in 2007, New Hope Foundation helped more than 3,300 adults and adolescents take control of their addictions.

• Jim Morris, a former corporate executive, left his 15 years of corporate life behind to pursue his lifelong dream to write and play meaningful songs that tell interesting stories. Though similar in ways to Jimmy Buffet's musical style, Morris' sound combines tropical melodies with jazz, country and acoustic folk. After releasing his first solo CD in 1996, and two others following, Morris formed the Big Bamboo Band and hit the road. His latest CD is "Jim Morris: The Live Guy," a compilation of live recordings of songs such as "Another Day at the Office" and "What Kind of Fool Can I Be?"

• John Frinzi, of Lakeland, Fla., mixes country, rock and roots to write songs with a down-home feel. Frinzi, who plays solo and with his band at venues across the country, has played with members of Jimmy Buffet's band. His CD "Into the Dawn" features Doyle Grisham, renowned steel guitarist and a Buffet band member.

• Doyle Grisham has been playing steel guitar since he was 21. Grisham created a reputation for his ability to play steel guitar at the Grand Ole Opry and for various artists including Roy Drusky and David Houston. By the 1970s, Grisham was asked to play for Jimmy Buffet on his first album, and has performed with Buffet as a member of his band ever since. In addition to Buffet, Grisham has played with Kenny Rogers, Reba McIntire, and many other musicians.

• Rackett came together in 2004, formed by two Princeton University professors, Paul Muldoon (lyrics, guitar and percussion) and Nigel Smith (bass and vocals). Muldoon, a professor of poetry and a winner of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for poetry, has also co-written songs for artists including Warren Zevon. Rounding out this garage-rock band are members Stephen Allen (keyboards, vocals), Bobby Lewis (drums) and Lee Matthew (lead vocals, guitar).

• James "Sunny Jim" White has a unique, laid-back musical style best described as "American Caribbean." White's years living and playing music in the Cayman Islands provided the backdrop for much of his original material.

• Charlie DeCosa, best known as the bass player for Jim Morris and the Big Bamboo Band, and for the John Frinzi Band, is now head of Tasty Slice Records and a solo artist.

• Gary Philips has been playing tropical rock since the 1960s with local bands along the East Coast, with national acts like Harry Chapin and Don McLean, and as a solo artist.