Former Morristown resident Robert Randolph, who rocked the Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival last summer, returns to town next month as one of five panelists for Morristown Onstage.
He’ll be joined at the benefit talent contest by 2009 winner Aaron Velasquez and three fellow Morristown High grads: Drummer Ben Sesar, Josh Gannet and Mike Ryan.
Fifteen area acts will compete for cash and glory on March 1, 2017, at the sold-out Mayo Performing Arts Center.
Here’s more from show organizers at the Morris Educational Foundation:
MORRIS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES FIVE AMAZING JUDGES FOR ITS SOLD-OUT MORRISTOWN ONSTAGE!
Talent show at Mayo Performing Arts Center on March 1 will spotlight the best amateur talent from Morristown, Morris Plains and Morris Township. Show is sold-out!
Morristown, New Jersey, February 8, 2017 – The Morris Educational Foundation (MEF) has announced that its 10th annual talent show “Morristown ONSTAGE” is sold out!
The talent show will showcase the best amateur talent from Morristown, Morris Plains and Morris Township. The event will be held on March 1, 2017, at 7 pm in the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, New Jersey. Over 70 acts auditioned for the show.
There is a $1,000 cash prize for 1st place for contestants ages 19 and over, $1,000 cash prize for 1st place for contestants ages 18 and under, a $500 award for the “Audience Choice” Winner which will be voted on the night of the show, and a $250 prize named in honor of Fran Rossoff, former event chair. The Rossoff Rising Star Award given to a promising contestant by the Morristown ONSTAGE Committee.
Five distinguished judges (4 of whom are Morristown High School alumni) from the arts profession will judge the competition:
Robert Randolph, renowned pedal steel guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and leader of Robert Randolph and the Family Band; has played with the Dave Matthews Band, Eric Clapton, Darius Rucker, Carlos Santana and Derek Trucks; a regular on the festival circuit, he headlined the Morristown Jazz & Blues Fest on the Morristown Green last summer; recognized by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest guitarist of all time.
Ben Sesar (MHS Alum), multi-talented drummer, clinician, teacher and author who has been touring the world and playing on all studio albums with Brad Paisley and has played on 17 tracks that have reached number 1 on the Billboard Charts; co-wrote a Grammy Award winning instrumental with Paisley, played on every television daytime, late night and award show many times.
Josh Gannet (MHS Alum), professional recording/mixing engineer, producer, artist manager, tour manager and artist relations representative; he has worked with Redman, Keith Richards, Slash, Steve Miller, and Method Man; run stages each summer at major music festivals like the Governors Ball in NYC and Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN.
Aaron Velasquez (MHS Alum), won Morristown ONSTAGE in 2009 crediting the event for jumpstarting his career; aka Flamingosis, is an electronic music producer and beatboxer; has been currently touring the U.S. with his music and will be playing the Euphoria Festival, Red Rocks and touring Europe in 2017.
Mike Ryan (MHS Alum), worked for WKTU in NY as Executive Producer of the afternoon show with “Goumba Johnny “ Sialiano and Sean ”Hollywood” Hamilton as well as producer of the KTU Morning show with Paul “Cubby” Bryant and Cindy Vero; also success as an actor and writer; currently the Program Director for three Jersey Shore radio stations Thunder 106, Fun1071 and B985.
This year’s Master of Ceremonies and host of the show will be Morristown resident Tara Bernie, Emmy- nominated senior producer for NBC’s Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood LIVE.
“The Morris Educational Foundation is very excited about our 10th anniversary production of our talent show, Morristown ONSTAGE. We’d like to thank our community for their partnership and support. We can’t believe we have sold out the show this quickly” said Molly Servais, MEF Board Member and Chairperson of the Morristown ONSTAGE Committee.
“The judges are incredible professionals and we are very excited for our contestants and for the whole night!”
Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center is the event’s headline sponsor. Last year, the event raised $90,000 for the Morris Educational Foundation.
Now these are the kind of judges that truly reflect Morristown. Way to go!