Fireside Cafe Welcomes Pastor and Radio Host to Concert Tonight

The Fireside Café has become the go to place for concerts with a religious perspective at the Christ Community Church on Bogert Avenue in River Edge and tonight is no exception. Tonight the Fireside Café is celebrating the ministry of radio host Pastor Charlie Rizzo, pastor of the Maranatha Church of the Nazarene and former singer of the band Emmaus Road.

“At 61 years old, I am as excited as a man my age can be,” said Rizzo with a laugh. “I haven’t really performed in about seven to eight years, but since we decided to play, I ended up writing two songs.”

Joey Brennan, event organizer, said he wanted to do this because he knew Rizzo for over two decades.    

“Charlie and I have been friends for years and he was my pastor for 20 years and I thought it would be great to have him perform at this month’s concert,” said Brennan.

Brennan explained Rizzo was the perfect choice for this month and will be a huge draw. “We are expecting a full house of people and it is going to be an amazing time and a lot of fun,” said Brennan. 

Brennan will be performing with his band Restored and serve as opening act.

“Part of the reason why do this is to raise money for CARE and help bring an awareness of the ministry,” said Brennan. CARE stands for Christian Action and Recovery Education and is dedicated to helping people dealing with addictions. The goal is to help the lives of addicts become manageable by delving deeper into the presence of a Higher Power.

“Our program is dedicated to helping people recover,” said Brennan. “And the concert is just a way to get people together and to help them get energized.”

In recent months, the Fireside Café has featured and the and each has helped show that people of faith are more than just stuffy persons sitting in pews and singing hymns, but people who can rock out.  As for who is coming in September, Brennan remained tight lipped but said he would be announcing it soon.

“I have a couple of ideas and I promise it will be fun,” said Brennan.

Yet, Rizzo said the music was going to rock for fans tonight. “We like to have fun and it will be a time of great music,” said Rizzo.

For more information, check out the Fireside Café’s site here.