IN BLACK AND WHITE AND SNOW ALL OVER

It's snowing today! I love the snow. And what made it even better was walking to the corner store in the snow to go pick up a copy of The Journal News. Jeanne Muchnick did a story on a me and it's in black and white today.

You can read it online here: www.lohud.com

Nap

GIVING BACK

Today is Sunday - cold, blustery and gray. A day to stay in bed or cozy up inside and chill. The Giants play today, Monday is tomorrow's song, and I am writing a blog to you.

My thoughts today are on gratitude, that elusive state of mind that can free us from the constant bondage of self and make us look up from our lives and say "thank you." A concert for Kenny is happening today. "Kenny," you ask, as I did, "Who is Kenny?" Kenny Santucci was a man doing his job, like so many of us do day in and day out, only his job was to serve and protect, to assist, and to help to enforce our laws. I didn't know Kenny and maybe you didn't either but I imagine he was a regular guy who loved his wife and kids, his friends and family, and had hopes and dreams for the future. And now he's gone. There is a void where a man once stood, a public servant who gave the greatest gift of all - himself.

I know this happens often in life. People pass of illness, old age, tragedy, and war. It's a part of life, death. So today we gather his family, friends, loved ones, and some musicians to remember, to acquaint, to attempt to ease the burden, the loss, and the pain and to say, "thank you Kenny."

My brother too is an officer of the law and my heart, my thoughts, and my efforts go out to all those who loved, knew, and respected Kenny Santucci. God Bless.

Nap

www.myspace.com/concert4kenny

THE BEST RIDE EVER

Have you heard "7:26" on the radio? I have.

It had been a long day. I think it was a Wednesday. My co-worker, Arturo, and I had just finished a construction job (my current day gig) on 116th street in the Bronx. We were tired, we were dirty, it was late, and we were glad to be done. We packed the van with tools to head back to the shop, climbed in, and turned on the radio to 107.1 The Peak.

We started our usual banter about the day when, suddenly, there it was - something persistent and oddly familiar cutting through our story. Then, a note of recognition. "Hey!" I said, pointing. "That's me!"

"That's not you man," Arturo said, shaking his head.

I stared at the radio, almost disbelieving myself. "No," I said. "That's "7:26"!"

As he started to listen, a smile came to Arturo's face. He changed direction like a weathervane in a windstorm and shouted, "Hey man, that's you!"

I don't know if anybody else heard the song that day, but I know that two guys in a van did and that it made both of their days for different reasons. One, because a dream had come true. The other, because he had witnessed a dream come true.

Special thanks to Chris Herrmann (pictured above), Rob Arrow, Jimmy Fink, and Caroline Corley of 107.1 The Peak for truly being the coolest and first station in the country to support this local artist by adding "7:26" to regular rotation. You guys rock!

107.1 The Peak WXPK-FM
White Plains, NY
www.1071thepeak.com
Studio Request Line: (877) 288-1071

SAN FRANCISCO TREAT

No, not the rice, my trip to California. What day is it? And thank God for Garmin! You're probably familiar with this relationship saving, oops, I mean time saving navigation system now available with rental cars. Hoorah! Somebody had their thinking cap on. A rental car with a navigation system is like a hamburger with ketchup - they just naturally go together.

I flew into LA, destination the Bay Area, otherwise known as West, West Avenue headquarters, to play a few shows and to kick off a grassroots radio campaign for my single "7:26." Five stations later everybody has a copy of "7:26" with all good things to say about it and...here we go again. Well, you know what I mean. Many thanks go out to Lil' Cee of 100.5 The Zone in Sacramento for being the first to say yes and get the song in their Sunday night show rotation! He's like my brother from another mother, my fellow New Yorker. I knew things would go well when he met with me wearing a Yankee hat. Thanks also to Jayn from Alice 97.3 in San Franciso, Andrew Jeffries of Star 101.3 in San Francisco, Danny Wright of Mix 104.9 in Santa Rosa, and Steven Bise of 95.3 KUIC in Vacaville.

Driving through northern California was beautiful. Man, California is big! I visited LA, San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, and San Jose and have some great photos taken out the window of my rental car to prove it!

The side story, which is not to say the any less important story, is how wonderful all the people are that I was able to spend time with during the week. It's funny when you go to where people invite you how many people are happy to see you. Alisa, Frank and their beautiful kids Nicola, Jacob and Anamaria showed hospitality beyond even my Italian definition of the word. Christena and Mike, my new friends from Oregon, came down to San Francisco and shared in the adventure. (I may have even written a song for Lucy.) Cicc winning the street team contest and packing O'Reilly's Holy Grail with her stellar pals really was wild, especially considering how we met by chance on the east coast in CT. Dawn, Erika (I missed ya but so happy to know your grandma had a rockin' birthday party) Amber and the gang from McTeagues Saloon. Darren Lee, Monique, Dustin and all the love from Dublin, CA. Thanks for a great day! Michelle, Michaela, Melody and Sarilyn joined me for an impromptu performance in the parking lot of Johnny Garlic's (the video just may be on YouTube). I don't know if this is how everybody does promotion but I feel blessed and fortunate to have met so many wonderful people. Sometimes I think something else is being promoted besides music - friendship, community, the nerve to say yes to life and to new people, places, and opportunities. I believe we're one big family anyway but this trip really confirmed that music is a common language that bridges our differences and perhaps draws us closer to one another.

Oh, and did I mention that I met Pat Monahan? You know, that brilliant singer/songwriter guy from Train who just so happened to write that little ditty "Drops of Jupiter." What a great guy and what a great moment it was to say hello in person to someone who has had such a huge impact on my life musically. Cheers to Luis, Brett and the rest of the band members too.

So, I am full. Full of love, full of hope, full of good wine. See you soon again CA - and thanks for welcoming me with open arms! (Yes, that was a Journey reference.)

Nap

"7:26" TO AIR ON 100.5 THE ZONE SACRAMENTO, CA

Special thanks to Lil' Cee of 100.5 The Zone in Sacramento, CA for putting "7:26" into their Sunday night show for the next month! It airs between 9pm-10pm PST and you can listen online from anywhere by going to their website at www.radiozone.com.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Everytime you call the radio station's request line or submit an email request at their website for "7:26" you help this song get one step closer to getting into rotation.

Thanks for all the support!
Nap


Me and Lil' Cee at 100. 5 The Zone

100. 5 The Zone KZZO-FM
Sacramento, CA
www.radiozone.com
Request Line: (916) 766-1005

CALIFORNIA RADIO HAS MY SINGLE "7:26"

Hey Cali,

The following CA radio stations have my single "7:26. " If you call, they'll play it!

Thanks for the love,
Nap




Me and Jayn at Alice 97. 3


Me at Alice 97. 3

Alice 97. 3 KLLC-FM
San Francisco, CA
www.radioalice.com
Request Line: (866) 623-9797



Me and Lil' Cee at 100. 5 The Zone

100. 5 The Zone KZZO-FM
Sacramento, CA
www.radiozone.com
Request Line: (916) 766-1005



Me at Mix 104. 9

Mix 104. 9 KMHX-FM
Santa Rosa, CA
www.thenewmix1049.com
Request Line: (707) 636-4MIX



Me and Steven Bise at 95. 3 KUIC

95. 3 KUIC-FM
Vacaville, CA
www.kuic.com
Request Line: (707) 448-KUIC (5842)


Star 101. 3 KIOI-FM
San Francisco, CA
www.star1013fm.com
Request Line: (800) 800-1013

NEW MUSIC MONDAY

I'm a songwriter. It's what I love to do. Actually, I can't help but write songs - they just spill out of me. Because so many of you have asked (and because I'd like to share more of them with you than just the thirteen on Here We Go Again) I'm starting "New Music Monday." Every Monday I will post an unreleased demo of a song on my MySpace page at www.myspace.com/michaelnappi.

Some of these songs will be mostly finished while others may be acoustic recordings from my living room the night I wrote them. Hopefully one day they'll all find a way onto a future album. They may change a bit, they may not. I hope you love them for what they are until then. 

Thanks for letting me share my passion with you.

Nap

FISHERMEN

In quiet times, it is said that fishermen mend their nets when they can't be out at sea. It has been a quiet time for me these last three months or so. The storms of winter have subsided and a strange new melody has been added to my life's concerto. It has been one year today since we started West Avenue Records and launched what seems to be the best friend maker ever! That being said, my expectations of grandeur have adjusted accordingly. I sometimes wonder who it was that had the bright idea of attaching a plow to a unicorn?

New opportunities have arisen and I've booked a bunch of shows beyond my neighborhood. I'm really looking forward to those dates and to meeting you all somewhere down the road. I wait for my train, I tune my guitar, and I write new songs hoping they reach you with a message. What that message is is between you and me - and I like that.

I hope this blog finds you all well and peaceful and that your best days are yet to come and your worst days, behind you.

Love is the answer for sure.
Nap

SINGING TO STOP CANCER

This Friday, April 25th, I will have the honor of performing at Relay For Life®, the American Cancer Society's signature event, at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY.

It was my niece Lauren's idea and I think it's a brilliant one. I'm humbled to be part of Relay For Life. Cancer hits close to home for too many of us. Life is short. Cancer makes life shorter. Let's shorten the life of cancer.

The entertainment, which will also feature performances by several local bands from the Albany area, is a special part of this annual event held at the college. The festival is expected to draw over 500 participants with over 60 teams, and has already raised almost $30,000 for the American Cancer Society.

The band and I will be playing two sets, at 6:45pm and 10:00pm, on the mainstage on the Campus Green. For more info, please check out the site here.

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ABOUT RELAY FOR LIFE®
Relay For Life® is a fun-filled overnight experience designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer. At Relay, people from within the community gather to celebrate survivors, remember those lost to cancer, and to fight back against this disease. Relay participants help raise money and awareness to support the American Cancer Society in its lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a major health issue. During Relay For Life® events, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. The events are held overnight to represent the fact that cancer never sleeps. Through the survivors' lap and the luminaria ceremony, we honor the people who have faced cancer first hand, and we remember those who have been lost to this disease.
For more information about Relay For Life®, please visit www.relayforlife.org/relay/.

SURPRISE

So I'm playing at Palmer's Crossing last night (a warm spring night, almost a full moon) when who should walk in but our MySpace Street Team and friends from Boston, Queen "T" and the infamous Blondie. I think I actually stopped singing and said, "Hey what are you guys doing here?" Laughter, mayhem, and a good time were had by all. It's only after such random events that you realize how lucky and fortunate you are to be a musician and to meet and be touched by so many Angels.

Side note - my good friend and songwriting partner Steve Buonanotte has been the best new friend a guy could want. Michael Coughlin, always the constant, and Lala keep me believing and make a guy wake up and want to write a blog!

Life isn't always how we want it to be,
But sometimes...

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JOSH KELLEY

I had the very cool pleasure of meeting Josh Kelley at his show at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ last night. Check out his new release Special Company (mixed by our fellow mofo Jeff Juliano) and catch him on tour.


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ALL ACCESS FEATURES "GONE"

"Gone," the first single from Here We Go Again, is being featured online in All Access Music Group's Hot AC
"Cool New Music" section.

Hot damn!
Nap

FRIENDS

Hey everybody, hope your weekend is stellar and peaceful.
Made some friends on MySpace - happens all the time. Only this time they weren’t on my computer screen - they were in my home, in my town, and in my life. What a wonderful transition from thought to reality. Laughter, friendship, intimacy, contact, hugs, sharing meals and conversation - all from someone reaching out on MySpace and requesting friendship. I don’t know if life just got a little easier or the anonymity of computers in general made asking to be my friend a little more user friendly.
Anyway, great days start with great thoughts.

Thank you Alisa, Dawn, Lisa and Steve for making this week wonderful.

"Love is the answer for sure!"
Nap

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

It's my birthday!

I've just posted a new song called "Finally Belong" at myspace.com/michaelnappi in honor of the day.

The second verse goes like this:
"It's my birthday
Another year has come to pass
Seems the last one didn't last
I look up in the sky
And I wonder who, and I wonder why I'm here
If one day I'll disappear..."

It's a reflective and happy tune.
Today I'll be eating cake and celebrating this gift of life!

Nap

SPRING...NOT YET BUT SOON!

So I've been thinking.
I'd like to share some hope, strength, and experiences I've had lately.
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." I just started reading "A Tale of Two Cities." Life, I think in general, can be experienced this way at times. It is most confusing.
I hate change! And yet our greatest potential lies in the darkness of the unknown.
When looking up from the six foot hole we've dug for ourselves with no hope to be found - not to mention a way out of said hole - panic, anxiety, and the brother of all stress seem to always come along to partake in the misery pizza one orders at such a time.

I say hold the pizza and start climbing, one foothold at a time, but ask for help. Yep I said it. Ask for help. Sometimes a friend doesn't know they're a friend until they've helped. I believe helping each other is why we're here. I have been helped, assisted, saved, rescued, found, carried, pulled and gently coaxed into the grace of a new day more times than I can count. We are not alone....unless you want to be. Misery is optional and life, perception. Lately I've been choosing hope and you know what? Hope is what I find. Then a day at a time, one link at a time, I find myself a little bit freer from the bondage of self. Music is wonderful - people are full of wonder. There is guidance in silence, in family and friends but mostly inside ourselves. Trust your gut, intuition, and experience. And if that doesn't help, surrender to the divine intelligence that makes the heart beat, the sun rise, and the world turn one more day.

I know nothing...but I guess many riddles.
Nap

ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL, NYC

Last night we played Rockwood Music Hall, an intimate venue on the Lower East Side. It has the most interesting setup I've ever seen but is undeniably one of the best sounding rooms in all of NYC. Yes, the drummer sets up on the floor beside the band and yes, those are the sound guy's legs dangling in the air.

I got to meet Dee, my friend from MySpace, and her family who traveled from Florida just in time for the show. BIG fun to see Jack & Lori and all of my pals. Big kudos to my dear "shore" friends who piled in and surprised the hell outta me! It was a great night (even with the shushing)!

There are more pictures of the night posted at myspace.com/michaelnappi.

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PRESS REVIEWS

"Michael Nappi's debut album, Here We Go Again, is of the same caliber as a major label release. The songwriting and production are excellent. Major labels should be looking at him."
-Mike Mullaney, Music Director, Mix 98.5/WBMX-FM Boston

"Michael's sound is perfect for where music is today. He really is where it's at."
-John Lander, Host, "Lander in the Morning," Mix 98.5/WBMX-FM Boston

"In a world and time of music that is driven by many depressed first and last name singer/songwriters, it was extremely refreshing to hear and have worked with Michael's music. His vocal abilities are stellar and he is certainly not afraid to write a pop radio hook that ya still find yourself singing at the end of the day."
-Jeff Juliano, Grammy Award-winning Mix Engineer (John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews Band)

"Expect big things from singer/songwriter Michael Nappi in 2008!"
-Scotty Mac, K104.7/WSPK-FM New York

"Michael's passion for lyrics and well crafted songs resonates throughout his debut CD Here We Go Again. Don't be fooled by the title, Michael puts a refreshing spin on familiar relationship hot buttons. Pick your hit from this collection of rockin' tunes with infectious vocals and sublime rhythms."
-Catherine Michaels, Host, "Night Rhythms," 100.7/WHUD-FM New York

"Michael Nappi is what's missing from today's radio. He is the perfect mix of old school artistry and a fresh, new sound."
-Lynn Hoffman, Host, "Private Sessions," A&E

"Michael Nappi's music has something for everyone. He is a tremendous performer with great vocal range. Every time he plays here the room is immediately filled with a positive energy. It's just the way I want my place to feel."
-Russ Baldassarre, Owner of Palmer's Crossing, Larchmont, NY

"Michael Nappi's voice is a real surprise. It is rich, sexy, sophisticated and moving. He is one of the new young singing stars of the future."
-Kenneth L. Wyse, President, Licensing, Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation

THE PARADISE LOUNGE, BOSTON

We played The Paradise Lounge last night and had a blast! It was cool to finally meet the whole Boston Street Team, led by Queen T, and hang with them pre-show. Thanks you guys for plastering Boston with my show posters! Thanks also to Mix 98.5.

It was incredible to finally play my first Here We Go Again show with the full band. And I loved watching all of the friends, fans and family in the audience having a fantastic time.

This is just the beginning!

Check out myspace.com/michaelnappi for more photos of the night.

Nap

BEFORE THE SHOW

Hi everybody!

I just wanted to shout out "hey" and tell you how excited I am to be in Boston. (I'm relaxing and drinking coffee right now but I'm so excited for tonight's show at The Paradise Lounge I could burst.) Even more, I'd like to share my gratitude. My heart is full thinking about all of the well wishers, friends, and family making the trek into the city on a winter night to be part of my very special night - the first show with the whole band for Here We Go Again!

It is cold, clear, and beautiful up here and I feel deeply appreciative for the opportunity to play music and share my thoughts with you all. I guess what I'm trying to say, if I may borrow a phrase from Sly, is "Thank you for letting me be myself again!"

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"GONE" ON NEW YORK RADIO

I was on the radio last night in my own state! Catherine Michaels interviewed me on her show "Night Rhythms" and then played the New York radio premiere of "Gone" on 100.7 WHUD.

Catherine, thanks for making home feel even more like home!

You can continue to request Gone on WHUD by phone and on-line. The studio request line is: (877) 274-WHUD and the on-line request form is at www.whud.com/request.

You can hear my interview with Catherine HERE.

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YOUTUBE

I posted a studio video of "Gone" on YouTube.

Happy viewing,
Nap