Submitted by Amanda Ryann Michelson

It’s not every day that a world-renowned musician throws a party in South Jersey, but that’s exactly what happened this month when guitarist Nigel Bennett visited Treno Pizza Bar in Haddon Township.

Bennett was in the area to meet and greet fans and invited guests to celebrate the upcoming release of his new album, Truth Or Consequences (Zip Records). A London-based guitarist, Bennett is represented by Cheryl Squadrito, president of Haddonfield's Media Friendly Public Relations. Squadrito explained that Bennett was in America working on his new CD.

“Nigel shot his album cover in New York City and since he had a day off, I thought it would be fun to meet the media and some of my friends here in Haddonfield,” said Squadrito. “We recently launched the entertainment division of Media Friendly and since Nigel was here it was another reason to celebrate.”

Bennett’s Truth Or Consequences is set for release in October and is Bennett’s first solo effort after a 30-year career in the music business. He plays guitar now with the UK rock band The Vibrators and has performed with Julian Lennon and The Members.

Bennett spent nine days in America making preparations for his album in addition to visiting South Jersey where Bennett said he met many interesting people.

“I really enjoyed it. I thought it was a fantastic evening. There was nobody that I met that I didn’t like,” said Bennett, who will be performing in Philadelphia with The Vibrators on Oct. 1 at the Legendary Dobbs.  No word yet on Bennett’s solo shows in the area.

Guests at the event included attorney Jacqueline Carle of Haddonfield, accountant Keith Sparks of Haddonfield, attorney Susan Hodges of Haddonfield, author James Rahn of Philadelphia, musician Matt Cappy of Collingswood, singer Deb Chamberlin of Clementon and singer Allison Waddington of Haddonfield.

“It’s exciting to see someone with so much success come and share a bit of that with Haddonfield, New Jersey,” Carle said.

Other guests echoed similar sentiments, and commented on their surprise at Bennett’s down-to-earth disposition.

“It’s been a pleasure seeing such an amazing musician who has played with famous people like Julian Lennon yet is so approachable. He is really charming, too,“ Waddington said.

Bennett explained the title of his album.

“I was with my band The Vibrators on tour and we were driving on a small highway from Albuquerque to Santa Fe and there was an exit sign that said, ‘Truth or Consequences,’ and I thought, ‘wow, there’s an album title,’” Bennett said.

He also said that that sign inspires some of the music he has started to write, and that some of the music he has yet to write will also reflect the impact that the highway sign has made on him.

Bennett said he was very pleased accomplished his three reason for his trip. He purchased a new Fender electric guitar, he had a successful photo shoot in New York for his album cover, and he attended the evening event in Haddonfield.

“I really like Haddonfield. I thought it was a great town. It is a really lovely, beautiful place. I think that the people that live there are so lucky,” Bennett said.

He shared similar positive feelings about the country as a whole. 

“I always hate leaving America, and I love arriving here,” he said, “I have a real love affair with this country.”

For more information about Nigel Bennett, please visit www.NigelBennett-Music.com or www.MediaFriendlyPR.com.