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Jersey Rock Band of the Week: Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius

Kansas Violin/Rythm Guitar player/Backup Vocalist Joe Deninzon will rock the Iridium in NYC this Friday night with his Group Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius! Tune to Jersey Rock on 95.9 The RAT Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night at 11:30 to hear cuts from their live album. Joe Deninzon will call in to the show each night!

Image courtesy of Joe Deninzon

Rocking The Iridium in New York City this Friday February 9!

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius will return to the legendary Iridium in New York City this Friday night!  The performance is part of the annual Composers Now Music Festival.  Expect a set featuring some of the band’s well-known older material, as well as new music from their upcoming studio album, “Impostor!"   The new release is due out some time later this year.  In the meantime, fans can turn up the band's latest album, an epic double CD/DVD-Blu ray box set, “Behind the Curtain (Live at ProgStock).”  Speaking of the release on Jersey Rock, Joe Deninzon said:

“This was 2 performances over 2 different years and we compiled them to make a 2-hour Live album.  It’s a DVD Blue Ray…In this day and age I know it’s crazy to release something like that, but we did it anyway!”

Find "Behind The Curtain (Live at ProgStock) now at joedeninzon.com.

In addition to performing with his own band, Joe Deninzon has been very busy as of late with another group.  In 2023 the Prog Rock violin virtuoso was named the new violinist/backup vocalist/rhythm guitarist of legendary rock band “Kansas.”  Speaking of the experience Joe Deninzon said:

“It’s been a whirlwind! Playing with a legendary band performing music I grew up listening to in some of the coolest venues in the country, for sold-out or near sold-out audiences! It’s everything I dreamed about as a kid and more!”

Joe will no doubt continue to be busy touring and recording with Kansas, however we think it's totally cool that he continues to rock with his own group Stratospheerius.  This Friday night will be an epic opportunity to see world-class musicianship and enjoy and epic night of Prog Rock!  Ad Astra will open the show.  They are an Instrumental Progressive Rock/Fusion band with "a clear focus on melody and arrangement."

Tickets are available now at ticketweb.com.  Use the code "FAF50" for the opportunity to get 50% off tickets while discounted supplies last!

Tune to Jersey Rock on 95.9 The RAT Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night at 11:30pm to hear cuts from "Behind The Curtain (Live at ProgStock).  Joe Deninzon will call in to the show each night!

Learn more at  joedeninzon.com.

Check out the video for "Frame By Frame"!

A List Of Places At The Jersey Shore To Get Yummy Carrot Cake On National Carrot Cake Day

Saturday, February 3,2024 is National Carrot Cake Day.

I’ve been on a carrot cake baking kick lately. Oddly enough, I baked carrot cake cupcakes last night and brought in a dozen for the staff this morning without realizing that tomorrow is National Carrot Cake Day. What a coincidence. The Universe must be speaking to me.

Inside A Carrot Cupcake At The WRAT StudiosRobyn Lane

It all started with a favor asked of me by WRAT Program Director & Morning Host, Carl Craft.
Carl has 10-year-old twin boys who had a birthday coming up. Carl planned a party for his boys and their friends at Target Zone- Nerf Arena in the Monmouth Mall in Eatontown.

My baking skills around the radio station are well known. Even the RAT Rock Nation, our listening family, has asked me to bake cakes for special occasions.

I’ve made countless cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, and other baked goods over the last 27 years for my friends and colleagues here at the WRAT. Most of the baked goods made in my kitchen were for birthdays, and the rest, by request.

Click Here To See The Cakes Rockyn Robyn Has Baked For the WRAT Staff Over The Years

Carl approached me several weeks ago about baking the boys a dozen carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

I felt honored, after all, he could have gone to down the road to Delponte’s in Bradley Beach to order baked goods. They are by far one of the best bakeries in all of Monmouth County.

My carrot cakes are usually embellished with coconut, pineapple, walnuts, and raisins.
In fact, back in July, I made one of those loaded carrot cakes for The Minister’s birthday.

Carl wanted none of that. He just wanted plain carrot cake.

How do you get 10-year-olds to eat something called carrot cake?

You don’t tell them what it is before their first bite.

Carrot Cupcakes By Robyn LaneRobyn Lane

They see cupcakes and immediately their eyes light up. They take their first bite and taste the sweet cake loaded with warm spices, topped with a luxurious cream cheese frosting…game over. They’re in heaven.

Let’s turn you on to some great places on the Jersey Shore to get yummy carrot cake.

Must Get Sconed - *IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PLACING AN ORDER, YOU MUST CALL US AT 732-372-5278.**

Lisa & Amy are my spirit animals. I have decent skills for a home baker, but these women have mad baking skills and the culinary degrees to prove it. The cover photo of this blog is a carrot cake Lisa baked for her daughter Alaina's birthday. Their sweet treats are no joke. Just check out their Instagram page.

You can either call or email them: MustGetSconed@gmail.com. Custom orders and small batch available.

Del Ponte's Bakery - 600 Main St, Bradley Beach, NJ 07720

Simply one of the absolute best places to get carrot cake or any cake in Monmouth County.

Toast City Diner - 45 Monmouth St, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Not exactly carrot cake, but carrot cake pancakes, and they are a showstopper. These light fluffy pancakes are made with  shredded carrots, coconut, raisins, honey and brown sugar folded into a spiced pancake batter.

Nothing Bundt Cakes - Various locations including 1358 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753

OMG!!  Their signature cream cheese frosting is out of this world. Combine that with their classic carrot cake made with pineapple pieces baked throughout.

Every bite has the warm, familiar taste of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Rainbow Diner - 849 NJ-70, Brick Township, NJ 08724

One of the best slices of diner carrot cake I have ever eaten. The thing was massive and so delicious.

Confections of a Rockstar - 550 Cookman Ave #104, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

The cupcakes here are in a universe by themselves. One day, shortly after they opened, Kimmee, the owner and rock star drummer, dropped off an assortment of her kick ass cupcakes. The carrot cake cupcake was among my favorites.

She carries all sorts of baked goods and desserts and is called upon to create custom cakes and other baked goods all the time. The apple cake with salted caramel cream cheese frosting looks amazing!  Go visit Kimmee, and tell her Rockyn Robyn sent you.

Big Apple Bakery - In Acme Shopping Center, 595 E Bay Ave #3324, Stafford Township, NJ 08050

This European style bakery is one of the most popular local bakeries in Southern Ocean County . Cakes, pies, and pastries to go. Custom cakes for any occasion , along with bread, rolls, Danish, and strudel.

I would imagine the carrot cake is as good as any cake they make. If you're not going the carrot cake route, go with either the cannoli cake or the peanut butter blast cake made with peanut butter buttercream and chocolate ganache. It's a peanut butter and chocolate lovers dream.

Tom Hanley is the host of Jersey Rock, New Jersey’s longest running local rock show on 95.9 The RAT. He got his start in broadcasting at Monmouth University's WMCX-FM. He's hosted Jersey Rock since 2016, been on the air at WRAT since 2008, and been listening to RAT Radio since 1996! Jersey Rock is a multi-platform local music brand that provides exposure to NJ artists. The on-air program features a different Garden State band each week. Tune to 95.9 The RAT every Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday night at 11:30 pm to hear call-ins and songs from the Jersey Rock Band of the Week! Each week Jersey Rock features a different music video as the Jersey Rock Video of the Week . Between Jersey Rock's on-air and online platforms, there's opportunities for 9 different NJ bands to be featured each week. If you're in a NJ band and want to be on Jersey Rock, e-mail Tom Hanley. Send your mp3's, videos, pictures, and links to jerseyrock@wrat.com