Rock Legend Willie Nile Headlines Rent Party

It's been more than 25 years since rocker Willie Nile's inaugural record, but if you ask the guitarist today, he's making the best music of his career right now. Nile's latest CD ("The Innocent Ones" due for release this year) will be the latest musical installment capping a rich, rewarding artistic journey. "It's better to give than to receive," he said as he spoke about appreciation for his own fortune. "This life doesn't have to be dog-eat-dog all the time."

Fresh off a successful tour in Italy, Nile will bring his trio (Johnny Pisano on bass and Frankie Lee on drums) to headline the latest Rent Party this Friday June 11 at the South Orange Elks Club. Blues-rocker Christine Santelli opens up for Nile starting at 7:30 p.m.

Far from slowing down since breaking through in the 80s, the 50-something Nile sees only an acceleration of the pace of releases going forward. "The independent, digital nature of the business now allows for much more recording opportunity. I've got much I want to give back still," he stated.

Collaborations with Springsteen and tours with The Who and Ringo Starr have helped shape his career that began in Buffalo, New York, where he grew up as one of eight kids in a family that always seemed to have visitors from far-flung corners of the world. "The cosmopolitan nature of the world kind of rubbed off," he says.

Following a stint at the University of Buffalo, the next stop was Greenwich Village. Strictly a poet at first, he soon picked up the guitar and paid his dues throughout the '70s. Rock critic Robert Palmer called him "one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years." Strongly influenced by the British invasion, Nile went on to produce eight records, including the 2008 live recording "Live from The Streets of New York," chronicling the city he's called home off and on for 35 years.

"I really want to communicate to young people that they need to follow their dreams—shoot for the moon," Nile offered. "It's important to go out and do the meaningful work you truly burn to do."

Supporting positive causes with music is close to Nile's heart, having worked on raising awareness of Parkinson's disease through the Light of Day foundation and its international concert series. This Friday, as usual, proceeds from the show will fight hunger by benefitting the St. Joseph Church and Our Lady of Sorrows food pantries. The minimum donation is $20, but as organizer Chris Dickson puts it, "The more you give, the better you'll feel!"

Opening for Nile will be the smoldering grit of Christine Santelli, performing her catalogue of songs about love, loss and perseverance.

"I start out thinking a song is about me—but it's often about someone else close to me," she explained. Santelli has called Jersey City home for 18 years, after growing up in Albany and spending time in New York City. Her first professional band, the now defunct Christine & the Dickens, led to extensive touring and the shaping of her unique and powerful sound.

Santelli's audience extends to Europe and beyond. After her local schedule this summer, she'll be abroad again with a tour that starts in Norway. "People in Europe are really into live music," she noted, "I don't know—maybe they're just less iPhone-centric. They're really appreciative."

Stateside, her favorite venues are NYC's old Manny's Car Wash and The Ear Inn, where she does a regular acoustic gig. "I never pigeonhole my writing," said Santelli, "I'll play one note, and it will all form together—I never write a lyric first. I love writing and performing because it allows me to live," she concluded.

Hear Wille Nile and Christine Santelli at The Rent Party, Friday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the South Orange Elks Club, 220 Prospect Street in South Orange. Tickets are $20 at the door, or at Kitchen a la Mode in South Orange. Cash bar.