“The Third Rail” was first developed as a concept in 2014 to showcase the original, guitar-based rock composed by Jack Baron. Jack’s son, Jackson Baron noted while looking at a rail line into Grand Central Station, that the ominous nature of the third rail on a subway line represented something both dangerous, yet essential: extreme power under control. He suggested that this would be a great name for a band. Moments later, Lisa Baron observed that the term “Watch the Gap” in the New York subways was deemed “Mind the Gap” in the London Underground rail system. The band and the album concept were born. The rock music on this album was all written first on acoustic guitar, and then transformed into electric guitar stories and anthems, representing the bridging of a Gap between the two very different instruments. The Gap is further evident in the songs themselves. Just to reflect on a few of these Gaps for the listener:

     “What’s Your Game?” reflects a Gap between two very volatile lovers fighting to find common ground.

     “Who Is He?” illustrates the painful confrontation and growing chasm between a couple who have both just learned that the other has betrayed them. 

     “Nightlife” highlights a deep Gap between a girl and her family, and the Gaps that she sees and experiences every day on the street.

     The power and consequences, as well as the beauty and hope brought on by Gaps in the lives reflected here are evident throughout the album: Growth,        pain, killing, rebirth and the power of love, are themes that resonate time and again. 

 

 

      The contributing artists are some of the very finest musicians in Upstate New York:

Jack Baron: A veteran songwriter, guitarist and lead vocalist, Jack has been performing primarily in rock and country cover bands throughout Western     New York for years. Mind the Gap is his first solo effort, and shows the influence of years of practice, playing songs by his favorite rock artists:

    Stevie Ray Vaughan

    David Bowie

    Tom Petty

    Pink Floyd

    U2

        As well as influence from pop, country and jazz artists such as 

    The Eagles

    Jack Johnson

    Sam Smith

    Jason Aldean

    Brantley Gilbert

    Luke Bryant

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Jimmy Osterman: A rock and country guitarist who powerfully and easily morphs the styles of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Hendrix and modern guitarists. Jimmy is also the lead guitarist for a premier WNY country rock band, the Joey Allen Band.

 

James Warner: Jazz, fusion, rock, and country are all genres in which James excels in at laying down funky, solid grooves. His timing and tonality are impeccable, all driving his remarkable bass lines for Mind the Gap.

 

Jeff Gilhart: A veteran guitarist and writer, Jeff has performed on many albums, delivering brilliant guitar and keyboard lines, solos and rhythms. Jeff is also a world-class recording engineer and producer, having worked with great artists from Asia to Lou Gramm. Jeff’s work on Mind the Gap was indispensable.

 

Jae Furiuso: Drumming comes very naturally to Jae, yet his strong discipline clearly shows through in his powerful percussive chops. Jae is a studio wizard, who also lays down the percussive foundation for the Joey Allen Band in WNY.

 

David Curry: A veteran keyboardist, guitarist and bassist, David is a true engineer in the musical realm. He lends some great strings to this debut album.

 

Cherith Meeks:  Cherith plays the beautiful and haunting piano arrangement on “Who Is He?”. She is a keyboardist, songwriter, vocalist, and bass ukulele player, performing in both rock and country groups up and down the East Coast.

 

Mary Ellen Hayden: A veteran lead and harmony vocalist, currently leading the WNY rock band, The Fools, Mary Ellen lends her powerful voice to Mind the Gap on “What’s Your Game?”, “Who Is He?”, “Evolution”, “All Falls Away”, “Sets Us Free” and “Tomorrow Never Comes”.

 

Ignatius Marino: Still a student at Nazareth College, performing saxophone guru Ignatius Marino clearly has an illustrious career ahead of him. His brilliant

sax work on “Who Is He?” lends a class and sophistication to the song that brings the entire piece to life.

 

Stephan Charavella: Veteran drummer and percussionist Stephan, is currently working in three WNY performing bands, including Don’t Know Jack. Stephan contributed beautiful drums on “Tomorrow Never Comes”.

 

David Rumold: A veteran NYC drummer, David is an original rock drummer and vocalist. He performed the solid and artful drumming on the soulful ballad “Beautiful”, which Jack wrote for his wife, Lisa. 

 

Anna Rolandi: Brilliant, beautiful and talented, Anna crafted a truly unique artistic work in photography and design for Mind the Gap. Anna’s global work is showcased at arolandiphoto.com