Cranbury hosts candlelight concert with all kinds of music

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Cranbury hosts candlelight concert with all kinds of music

Flickering candlelight and cover songs from artists like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Led Zeppelin and Bryan Adams will help set the mood for community members who attend the Candlelight Picnic Concert, sponsored by the Cranbury Arts Council on Sept. 30.

The Robert Murdock Band is headlining the event. The group played the concert last year for the first time and was warmly received, said Edison resident Robert Murdock, who bass guitar and vocals.

"It's actually more exiting than last year because this year we know exactly what to expect," he said. "We know how to prepare our show accordingly. Now that we know exactly what to expect, we're very excited to put together a group of songs that we know these people will like."

Mr. Murdock said he and the other band members, Old Bridge resident Lee Howard, guitar and vocals, and drummer and vocalist Jeff Alai of Metuchen, have some surprises in store for viewers. Though he didn't give anything specific away, he said people should anticipate hearing some songs they may not expect. Some examples he gave included one hit wonders from the '80s and a few songs from Side B of the Beatles album Abbey Road.

"Audiences respond to songs that maybe they don't hear that often from bands that are playing locally unless you go to a concert at PNC Arts Center, where the original group is performing it," he said. "We like to play songs that are not heard that often by cover groups in the area."

The band goes on 6 p.m. and will play three, jour long shows, with two short breaks in between. Mr. Murdock said the group is looking forward to the event's ambiance, which they found to be unique last year.

"This year we'll kind of be used to it," he said. "But, if you're a first timer, its really neat looking. It's like being at a concert when everybody lights their BIC lighters and they all wave them in the air when it gets dark out. You'll see all these candles being lit. It just creates a nice atmosphere."

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