4th of July, DC

So here I am back in the Nation's Capital after a stellar weekend of music in the Garden State. Stellar, that is, except for the attendance, which was nonexistent. Where was everyone? Home watching Live 8 on MTV? Good God, I hope not, for your sakes.

'Cause you missed the following:

--Author Daniel Wolff signing copies of his amazing new book, 4th of July, Asbury Park at Antic Hay books in AP. Great guy, fascinating and well-researched book, not just about Springsteen's adopted hometown, but about America. Not to be missed.

--John Eddie cranking out an amazing version of "Dead Flowers" after a ridiculously sloppy show before a bunch of drunken hooligans on the South Jersey shore...

--Soozie Tyrell's transcendent smile. Not the best set I've ever seen by her, but she always looks like she's having fun, and isn't that what it's all about?

--Southside Johnny at the Stone Pony. His element. Everything the Jersey Shore music scene is supposed to be about: soul and community...and the music. Not who has the best tan, coolest iPod selection or best Bruce tickets...but the goddamn music. Southside doesn't care who you are or where you come from or what you look like or how you are dressed or where you live or how much money you have or how cool you think you are. The only thing he cares about--has ever cared about--is whether or not you have SOUL. He plays the music of the downtrodden, the unhip, the forgotten, the lonely...and makes it fun and real and inspirational every single night.

So you can take all your "patriotism" and your yellow ribbon magnets on your SUVs and your red white and blue flag t-shirts from Old Navy and stick 'em...'cause if you don't love Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at the Stone Pony on the Fourth of July Weekend., well..you just ain't American...