A brisk beautiful Day on LI! The 8th Annual Rock 4 X-MAS Charity event was in town to give a helping hand to the Nassau Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless and the Fire Rescue Widow & Children charities funds.
With Joan Noguera - Executive Director of the Nassau Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless present throughout the Rock 4 X-MAS show, she was extremely delighted that through the hard work and combined efforts of all involved that the Rock 4 X-MAS Benefit raised in excess of $5,000 worth of cash, clothes & gifts and other donations for the charities.
Originally scheduled to start at 1pm, Rock 4 X-MAS was pushed back till 4pm, due to technical problems arising with the giant sound system. The set up taking a bit longer then anticipated. I would like to give special thanks to Tom Chandler and crew, Chopper Bill, Tom, Kenny from Wildwood, Wayne Schuler and Jason Frost for quickly resolving the technical issues and expert Production. Kicking off the show, legendary Randy Jackson of Zebra took the stage. This was the third year Mr. Jackson has lent his support and participated in this event. He filled the room with the rich sounds of his 12 String Guitar and powerful voice. With his Rock 4 X-MAS shirt on, his performance was incredible, as he always is.
Following Randy Jackson, a local act, Namesake, brought on stage by the brother of one of the artists, Paul Virzi. Paul & sidekick Eric Thomas were hilarious! Name Sake a newly formed band, put on a great set. The comedians kept the show moving throughout the day. Another equally funny co-host, John Larocchia, brought a great feeling of unity to the event.
Our next artists were Public Secret, a local Long Island band, as well, who did a great job covering music such as Black Sabbath and 80`s Rock.
Westcaster, made a special appearance flying them selves in from San Francisco Bay to be part of the Rock 4 X-MAS event. These guys were great!
Regional act, Chrio, continued the show on, with Chance doing a great job with songs on acoustic guitar, which he dedicated to the cause and to homeless in crisis everywhere. One of our returning artists was Dan Acosta with Axis Unknown, with a strong performance given by all in the band. It was great to have Danny Back in the lineup! Grace Morrison was next up to the stage. Cousin to the promoter, she has been performing at Morrison Music events for years. Grace has become a consummate performer, with a forthcoming CD, soon to be released.
Yet, another artist returning for a third year was Brad Govern. Although without his band Gravity, he had a new sidekick in the way of a female vocalist. They as everyone in the show did a great job.
The gala Rock 4 X-MAS event pace picked up with band performances of Beyond Blonde, an act from Rhode Island. Three chicks and a guy! It has to be tough for him to get the spotlight, competing with all those gals! As the show progressed, Fallen Angel took the stage, our Poison tribute band. I must say, ``The Fallen Angel tribute was an outstanding addition to the show``! If I were a drinking man I may have been convinced Morrison got Brett and the boys to stop by.
As for the Rock 4 X-MAS All Stars, I will name them and say you need to pick up
the DVD and CD and not miss Rock 4 X-MAS ever again! These musical legends
played as if they were performing to a SOLD OUT show at the Garden! ``I am proud
to have assembled such a great line up with people so professional`` Morrison
said. The All Stars performers ranging from Carmine Appice, Ira Black, Joe
Bouchard, John Ford, Erin Fyfe, Peter Galinari, Larry Hoppen, Terry Ilous,
Patrick Johansson, Ronnie Keel, Mark Mangold, Sam McCaslin, Tony Montana, Teddy
Rondinelli, Richie Scarlet & Paul Shortino, all were an incredible match up.
Playing in support of each other and all leaving egos and eccentric behavior
behind. Another highlight of the Rock 4 X-MAS festivities and audience
participation was, Joey Belladonna, while not actually performing, added his
presence and aura, when he gave away one of the autographed guitars to a lucky
winner. The final phase of the evening was Jake Live. Jake came in from San
Diego, giving his all! Another great performance! As we came into the end of the
night with our final two local bands, Liquid Overload and Blind doing an
outstanding job and bringing this amazing event to a close. Although the crowd
had thinned a little, performers and patrons alike, hoping the night would never
end. Everyone seemed to enjoy a full day of Rock & Roll, with musical memories
to last a lifetime!!!! 
I want to thank the video crew of Joe Laskowski, Damien Tuffereau, and their
crews, Tom, Bill & Richard on the audio crews. Thanks to Kenny for a long
night of lighting up the stage. I want to thank Ralph Thompson for his
friendship & dedication to Rock 4 X-MAS. Thank you goes to my friends Kevin &
Eric for flying in from Tampa to help with the event. Thanks to all our
sponsors, Volunteers and Patrons for making this Rock 4 X-MAS one of the most
memorable to date. I also want to thank Andy & Atom Zane for their
participation. To my friend Ray at Laconia Music whom without, this event would
not have happened this year! Joe Medford for taking care of all my computer and
web site needs and our thanks to anyone we may have missed. Please know that due
to human error we would not want anyone to feel left out or unappreciated. We
thank & love each and every one of you!
Please continue to visit www.rock4xmas.com where we accept contributions
and will continually post updates and feature artists from Rock 4 X-MAS 8, 2004
Photos by: Nite Crue Studio (Joey Laskowski) & Jill Morrison