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, @ChrisFHJordan11:25 a.m. EST November 18, 2016

Matt O’Ree and Bruce Springsteen have “Black Boots.”

Matt O'Ree

It’s the name of a new song from O’Ree on his upcoming album, “Brotherhood,” that features Springsteen on vocals and guitar. The album features other guest stars, including David Bryan of Bon Jovi.

“Black Boots” was written by O’Ree and Jon Leidersdorff of the Lakehouse Recording Studio in Asbury Park. It’s a torcher, with a driving rhythm and incendiary solos from O’Ree and Springsteen. There will be an album release party Wednesday, Nov. 23 (Thanksgiving Eve), at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park.

MORE: Matt O'Ree's road to Bon Jovi

“He’s an absolutely true artist and that’s why I love him,” said O’Ree, a native of Holmdel, on Springsteen. “He just cares about the music and that’s all that matters.”

“Black Boots” speaks to a bond that rockers at the Jersey Shore, and beyond, share.

“It relates to what it’s like when you’re a musician and you’re playing in a band and writing songs and going out and performing and putting on a show and living that lifestyle — you have two different personalities,” Leidersdorff said. “Rock stars are people, but you have to put on this persona. You have to put on these black boots and you have to put the show on.”

Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi perform during

Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi perform during "12-12-12 The Concert For Sandy Relief" December 12, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo: DON EMMERT, AFP/Getty Images)

 

O’Ree, much like Springsteen in his early days, is the Jersey Shore guitar hero with a killer live show. He’s a blues-based old-soul rocker who’s very much in the moment, taking elements of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duane Allman and Jimi Hendrix, and charging it up. In 2006, O’Ree beat out 4,000 guitar players to win the prestigious Guitarmageddon “King of the Blues” guitar contest, hosted by B.B. King and John Mayer and sponsored by Guitar Center and Guitar World Magazine.

In 2015, O’Ree played nine shows in Asia and the Middle East as guitarist for Bon Jovi. Bryan and Phil X of Bon Jovi recently joined him and his Matt O’Ree Band at Jamians in Red Bank after Bon Jovi played the Count Basie Theatre.

Along the way, O’Ree started teaching guitar to supplement his income. One of his students asked if a friend named Sam could sit in.

“So as the three of us are jamming together, Sam was playing around on the keyboards with some piano sounds and we were playing guitar,” O’Ree said. “Halfway through the lesson it dawned on me that this kid looks familiar. I didn’t realize it was Bruce’s son – it was so cool. It was nice to meet Sam and we hit it off. I always felt and I still do that Sam is my younger brother. I feel that brotherly connection to him.”

The Springsteens asked O’Ree to teach son Sam Springsteen guitar. One day, Sam asked if he could listen to the music O’Ree was working on.

“I said I’m giving this to you because you’re my friend, not because of who your dad is,” O’Ree said.

The music got around the house.

“I saw Bruce after the lesson that day and he mentioned that he liked the song ‘Black Boots,’ so with every ounce of courage I could possibly muster up, I asked, ‘Would you be up for playing on it?’ ” O’Ree said. “Bruce took a step back and was like, ‘Yeah, I want to do something on this.’ ”

“Unbelievable,” O’Ree said.

Springsteen recorded his part at his home studio in Colts Neck. “Brotherhood,” due Tuesday, Nov. 22, also features guest appearances by Stax guitar legend Steve Cropper, Matt Wade, Dave Archer, Eryn Shewell, Layonne Holmes, Scott Bennert and John Hummel. Bruce Buchanan is the album’s producer.

Matt O’Ree with the Matt O’Ree Band and David BryanBuy Photo

Matt O’Ree with the Matt O’Ree Band and David Bryan at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. (Photo: STAFF PHOTO: Chris Jordan)

 

Now, it’s time to focus on the Matt O’Ree Band and the new album. He will not be participating in the upcoming Bon Jovi tour.

“I wish them all best of luck — if they need me I’ll be there in heartbeat,” O’Ree said. “I can not thank Jon (Bon Jovi) enough for giving me a chance to do that. I’m local and I’ve been struggling a long time and to be able to witness that and watch him work, he’s one of the greatest entertainers out there. He commands an arena of 50,000. Everyone had their eyes on him.”

Now, all eyes are on O’Ree.

“Matt’s a soft spoken guy,” Leidersdorff said, “but when he grabs his guitar, you pay attention.”

Chris Jordan: cjordan@app.com

THE MATT O’REE BAND ‘BROTHERHOOD’ RELEASE SHOW

WITH: Shady Street Showband and Slapjack

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23

WHERE: Stone Pony, Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park

TICKETS: $14 in advance, $16 at the door

INFO: 732-502-0600, stoneponyonline.com or mattoree.com

____________________________________

The SPL Rocks!

Prego che tu stia danzando con San Pietro alle porte perlacee del cielo





Pulled up to my house today
Came and took my little girl away!
Giants Stadium 8/28/03



Oats

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