JD Danner Band To Open The Richie Scarlet Band's Ace Frehley Celebration May 2 At Crazy Uncle Mike's

By Joanie Cox Henry

Boca Raton-based rocker JD Danner is gearing up to rock Crazy Uncle Mike's and this "Hometown Hero" is in fact "Almost Home." If you grew up air-guitaring to "Shock Me" or painting your face in the mirror pretending you were the guy with the star on your eye, this one's for you. The Richie Scarlet Band is bringing a full-throttle Celebration of the Life in Music of Ace Frehley to the stage, and it promises to be less tribute act, more time machine.

Scarlet who was dubbed "The Emperor of Rock 'n' Roll" for reasons that will become immediately obvious once he plugs in has gone the extra mile here, authentically reassembling one of Ace's classic lineups. That means Steve "Budgie" Werner and Andy Rice are back in the fold, ready to share the stories and the songs from their time rolling with the Spaceman himself. And because one special guest just wasn't enough, Tod Howarth is along for the rocket ride too.

As show promoter Toni Cesiro puts it, this is a "high-voltage tribute" built on real road experience with musicians who didn't just love Ace from the cheap seats, but stood next to him under the lights.

Opening the night is JD Danner and The JD Danner Band, bringing a tight lineup of her powerful originals and a few beloved covers. Pedro Riera, a versatile shredder who's shared the stage with Emily Estefan and Southern Blood takes lead guitar.

Fernando Santomaggio, the South Florida Funkmaster, will be holding down the low end for The JD Danner Band. A veteran of MixTape FM and Big Rock Band, he debuted his own original album Möbius Dick last year, and yes, this is the same guy who showed up to Halloween dressed as Bass Frehley, which tells you everything you need to know about the talent and starry-eyed fun he brings to the stage.

Rounding out the rhythm section is the dynamic Oscar Dorta on drums, who alongside Santomaggio also anchors the Billy Idol tribute powerhouse Idol Eyes. Danner's set mixes originals including her latest, "Unbroken" and "I'm On My Way." JD Danner has built her reputation on the strength of her original songwriting. Her lyrics are raw, honest, and impossible to shake. Her music doesn't just move people; it meets them where they are, and more than a few fans will tell you a JD Danner song changed their life. They will be out in the crowd to tell you themselves that night.

Danner is also planning to mix in a few carefully curated covers by Melissa Etheridge and Joan Jett. And she's not just warming up the crowd and stepping aside. Danner is joining the Richie Scarlet Band onstage for a rendition of Grace Slick's "White Rabbit." "This show is gonna rock the house," Danner promises. We absolutely believe her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6I-H9FDnV4

May 2nd. Downbeat is 8:30 p.m. Get your tickets here or have FOMO forever!