No doubt it’ll be a smokin’ blues and rock night at the Stanhope House on Saturday April 20 when the Bob Lanza Blues Band leads a “hat trick” of red hot bands from Northwest Jersey.

There is only one way to play the blues – from the heart with ferocity as if your life depends on it. That’s Bob Lanza in a New York Minute.

“I am motivated to play like there is no tomorrow,” said Lanza. “When I hit the stage my goal is to scorch it.”

Lanza won’t be the only act to light things up at the Stanhope House, located in Downtown Stanhope.

Opening up the high powered show will be The Outcrops followed the Katie Henry Band, two bands with female lead singers. Additionally, there will be some serious jamming with members of both bands playing with Lanza later on.

The Outcrops, led by Cassidy Rain on vocals and guitar, and Bryan Schroeder on lead guitar, have opened for a number of major acts, including the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Alexis P Suter, John Ginty (of the Dixie Chicks/Allman Betts Band) & Friends and Shockenaw Mountain Boys (featuring members of Railroad Earth). The Outcrops play music with heart. They have dug their roots into rock’n’roll, blues, funk, R&B, old country and jazz and their original music is a unique blend of these styles stemming from the same soulful soil..   

Katie Henry, meanwhile, sings and plays lead guitar and keys. The songs are their new CD, High Road, are blues-based but also contain elements of pop, rock, and gospel, allowing for an almost eclectic variety of sounds including in particular “High Road,” “Chapels” and “Takes A Lot.” Katie, a NJ native, composes her songs on both piano and guitar. Bass player Antar Goodwin, meanwhile, co-wrote many of the songs on the CD with Katie. B-3 organist John Ginty, who can be heard on the CD and occasionally has played live with Katie, produced the album. 

Doors open at 6, with music starting at about 7. For tickets and other information about the show, go to www.stanhopehousenj.com.