Our documentary film “Hard Times Don’t Hit Me No More” will be featured at the First Glance Los Angeles Film Festival on Saturday, April 22nd, 1pm, at the Laemmle North Hollywood 7 Theatre.

Steven Scaffidi shot this wild documentary last year with an amazing group of local artists including Rockin Dopsie Jr Eli Seals John Autin Ewell Smith Timothy TJ Zino Dustin Hymel Reed Alleman Todd Adams Blaine Babineaux Patrick Williams Terry Gillis and over 100 Homeless men and women at the New Orleans Mission. This is a true story of how a group of talented musicians and 100 homeless people can come together to actually write a hit song! See you at the screening!!!
See more here: http://www.hitmeamerica.com/documentary.html

The Junction
20 W Park Ave
Long Beach, NY 11561

Yep, you heard me. THE JUNCTION, formerly The Park. Is it a music venue like what the rumors suggested (link)? Well, based on the photo that Project 11561 posted, it sure looks so.

http://www.seabythecity.com/?p=31044

As I come to settle back in New York, I have had an opportunity to meet even more people in clubs from NYC to the east end of Long Island.  It’s time again to create a regular weekly show and I’ve been asked to bring my show to my home town of Long Beach, NY.

Starting Sunday, March 19, Dueling Pianos will be coming to the Junction, formally The Park, in Long Beach.  The remodeled space has 2 levels with stage viewing, an excellent menu and live music nightly.  The musicians I have met here in the last few days are incredible.  It will be a pleasure to work with these talented folks.

Come check out the Junction at 20 W Park Ave, Long Beach, NY 11561.  If you want a table for the show, it’s advised to book by emailing theparklbny@gmail.com

I’ll see you there!

July 14, 2015

The familiar noise of freeway traffic overhead and sirens in the distance were recently interrupted for homeless residents by the pulsing sounds of popular local musicians performing inside the New Orleans Mission.

Hit Me America, an organization that pairs songwriters and musicians with a live audience to produce a hit song, teamed up with the nonprofit organization to give an audience of homeless patrons an uplifting opportunity to exercise their creative talents.

“The mission is more than just a shelter, it’s more than just about food and clothing,” said David Bottner, director of the New Orleans Mission. “It’s really about change.”

Bottner said he jumped at the chance when songwriter Ewell Smith and producer Steven Scaffidi presented the idea.

“Anything we can do to entertain our guests, take their mind off their plight, even if just for a moment,” Bottner said, “is so worthwhile. When we can do that, we speak to their heart and we give them hope.”

The mission, Bottner said, aims to address the three “Rs” among homeless: to rescue them from the streets, help them recover, and re-engage them into the community. This project, Bottner said, easily fell under the re-engagement component.

“We find labor for them, we teach them to paint and do carpentry,” Bottner said, “but we have not been able to reach the artistic side of them.”

Smith, a frequent volunteer at the mission, said occasionally he’ll walk under the bridge and talk to the homeless. On one of those walks, he was given a poem written by a homeless man he knows as Jason. Taken by the artistic talent of the homeless poet, Smith encouraged Scaffidi to visit the mission with him, and the idea for the project was born.

“It was like a lightning bolt,” Scaffidi said. “I said, ‘Let’s do (Hit Me America) at the mission and get the homeless people involved,’ and there was a 10-second silence and then Ewell says, ‘That’s brilliant!’ ”

The homeless were treated to performances before the timer was set for the one-hour brainstorming, songwriting event began. Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. led artists on stage that included Eli Seals, John Autin, TJ Zino, Todd Adams, Reed Alleman, Dustin Hymel, Doc Miles, Blaine Babineaux, Terry Gillis and Wanda Grant as he held the microphone out to the homeless audience and asked them to shout out their lyrics.

“Hard times don’t kick me no more!” a voice yelled, and Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. turned to the band and said, “Give me a blues in E-flat.”

As the band began playing, a woman in the audience contributed, “We’re all God’s homeless children, wandering in this place, unless we give our lives to him, we’ll never know his grace.” Her lyrics were met with rounding applause.

“That’s the song, people!” Ewell yelled out.

“Play that thing!” Scaffidi told the band, and later, “We need two more verses and a chorus.”

The jam session produced the track “Hard Times Don’t Hit Me No More,” and it was recorded last month at Rabadash studios in Covington, with 100 percent of the royalties from sales benefiting the New Orleans Mission.

“Even if it’s just one person, and even if it doesn’t bring them to ‘American Idol,’ they will still be recognized for a gift that God gave them,” Bottner said, “a gift that now they get to use that’s just been hidden under a bridge.”

London Howard was one of the participants of the event. He has eight months left before he graduates from the mission’s one-year spiritual-based program, which he credits for saving his life.

“I sold drugs. I did so much time — I spent 11 years of my life in prison,” Howard said. “I never have to go back again. It cost me a fortune to work for the devil, but God is free.”

A live video recording of the song being performed at the mission is online, and the Hit Me America single, “Hard Times” by Eli Seals, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., Ewell Smith and the Mission Disciples will be released at www.hitmeamerica.com.

View the original article here.

NEW ORLEANS MISSION

JUNE 19, 2015
The stark reality is that the overwhelming majority of the readers of these words is but one accident, one downsizing, one capsizing away from a life on the streets of America.

It’s the uncle, the former co-worker, the abused mother caring for her children, the Iraq war veteran. It’s the harsh reality lived every day by countless thousands as the once great American Dream for too many has devolved into the great American Nightmare.

NOLA-Mission-LogoAnd as politicians spin it and pundits decry it, the New Orleans Mission, under the direction of David Bottner, has set out to do something about it: With Big Hearts in the Big Easy – to Rescue, Recover and Re-Engage!

And perhaps the only thing missing in their remarkable approach is a bit of – oh, I don’t know – let’s call it “consciousness raising”.

Enter Steve Scaffidi and his “Hit Me America” team, as June 16th we set-up shop for the afternoon down on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard in Central City, NOLA for a major Jam Session.

Imagine assembling some of NOLA’s finest musicians & songwriters all in one place – the New Orleans Mission Chapel – and having them work hand-in-hand with the Homeless to – in a single hour – capture a song that captures their homeless but not entirely hopeless lot in life.

And then take the videos captured that afternoon to the internet and You Tube to raise consciousness to the plight, put a face on it… and give it a VOICE!

Magic markers on cardboard signs at the intersection are one thing, but this is quite another – this is Magic.

It’s the difference between a hand out and a helping hand UP!

David Bottner and the staff at the New Orleans Mission get that – everyday. Rescuing, Recovering and Re-Engaging. Along with an assist-on-the-play courtesy the Carpenter from Galilee.

Hope without Faith just doesn’t exist. The two are forever joined at the root. Just as the fear and desperation of life on the streets disappears as one walks through the doors at our New Orleans Mission.

Yes, the Lord works in strange and mysterious ways, no? And here it is – in glorious black and white – “Hard Times Don’t Hit Me No More”. Why?

Because Hope has a Home down on Baronne and Oretha Castle Haley in Central City New Orleans.

And as we collectively pick ourselves up after yet another unbelievably painful and senseless national tragedy – this week in Charleston – trust that healing & hope will win out, and better days are on the horizon for the homeless – and America. Keep the Faith!

View the original article here .

This is a really nice write up by Lauren Heines.

Rebound Road Trip is in the Studio

Since the filming of “Hit Me America” at Spirits on Bourbon, TJ, Todd and Josh have been hard at work in the studio.  “Rebound Road Trip” is coming along nicely.

Music producer, Adam Hains explains, “I want the listeners to really connect with the lead in this song.  I want them to feel his pain and take that trip with him.” He has done just that.  This song is taking on it’s own personality and has been transformed into an anthem.

We spoke to TJ in the studio.  “I want this song to have a big sound.  I want this song to surround you and pull you in.”  We were lucky enough to hear the song and we think this song definitely pulls us in.

Rebound Road Trip was co written on stage at Spirits on Bourbon during the filming of “Hit Me America”.  A reality television show that gives the audience the opportunity to help write a song.  We can’t believe this song was written in a noisy bar on Bourbon Street with a rowdy crowd coming up with song lyrics.   As a writer, I am in awe of what these guys were able to do.

We are told that “Rebound Road Trip” should be available to download in the next week or so, so update your iTunes account, clean up your playlists and get ready for a summer anthem.  Follow this blog and “Hit Me America” and maybe you can help write the next great song!

For updates and to keep tabs on TJ, ‘Like’ his Facebook Page and Follow him on Twitter

~Lauren Heines

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 6, 2015

Top songwriters to team up with music fans in a unique Jam Session to write a hit song while a star bartender creates an original signature drink inspired by the music.

NEW ORLEANS – On the Wednesday before Mardi Gras, Spirits on Bourbon will host a Hit Me America Jam Session where dueling piano wizards TJ Zino & Todd Adams are put to the ultimate test of writing a hit song with music fans…the audience.

Producers are calling this unique event the ultimate interactive music experience and are inviting anyone who loves music to be part of the audience who will become the co-writers of an actual song. The goal: To write a hit song! The event will be filmed for Television and You Tube by local production company Ghost Rider Pictures.

Both Zino and Adams will face the ultimate challenge of their careers as they must allow the audience to take the lead in the songwriting process and be inspired by the crowd of co-writers. Nothing is off limits for the audience members who are encouraged to toss out story lines, lyrics, melodies or anything else to help the songwriters accomplish their goal of writing a hit song in the allotted time of 1 hour.

During the songwriting session one of Spirits’ top bartenders will also be challenged to come up with an original signature drink which is inspired by the song. That drink will become part of Spirits’ drink menu and will be called the “Spirits’ HIT ME HIGHBALL” which customers can order by simply saying “Hit Me!”
Producers will donate 20% of all music royalties that the song generates to Michelle’s Place Breast Cancer Resource Center. Spirits on Bourbon will also donate 100% of all Hit Me Highball sales generated that night.
Following the event the song will be registered with BMI and released on all music platforms including ITunes, Amazon, Google Play, Spotify and more with the ultimate goal of getting on the radio. Future jam sessions will feature top Nashville singer/songwriter Thom Shepherd, and popular Louisiana singer/songwriters Lynn Drury, Brett Weller, and Scott Lee Tully among others.

For more information, please visit www.hitmeamerica.com

Contact: Steven Scaffidi, email: stevenscaffidi@gmail.com phone: 504-669-0189
WHAT: Hit Me America Jam Session featuring TJ Zino & Todd Adams.
WHEN: Wednesday, February 11, 2015
TIME: 6pm-9pm
WHERE: Spirits on Bourbon, 615 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

A percentage of all music royalties and more to help fight breast cancer.

Check back for more information or contact us at Info@zinoentertainment.com!

From our World Famous Barber Shot Chair, our Barber Beer, the Resurrection, the extreme Dueling Piano Show, there is something for everyone.  Not only was Spirits featured on Spike TV’s number one television show, Bar Rescue, we have been featured on multiple tv shows such as Esquires  “Best Bars in America”, T.I and Tiny: The Family Hustle, and have filmed multiple music videos in the bar.

There is always something going on and you can be sure that you never know what will happen at Spirits on Bourbon.

If you are lucky, you might see the Spirits on Bourbon Hearse parked out front complete with it’s own Barber Shot Chair!

Allentown gives tribute to Billy Joel’s, Allentown.  A song about struggle and hardship that comes along with growing up in a blue collar town.  Based out of New Orleans, LA, Allentown is quickly becoming the South’s Ultimate Billy Joel Tribute Band.

Look for our website soon!  Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Allentowntributeband

I was able to catch up with TJ before he got on stage last week.  “I’m really excited about this project.  Billy Joel has been a great inspiration to me musically and this is something I’ve always wanted to do.  Pay tribute back to another Long Island raised musician.  This band brings together the excitement and energy that has been missing from tribute bands for so long.”  TJ looks forward to touring with the band and they hope to be touring the midwest and northeast in 2014.