Billy lives near Heidelberg, and continues the tradition of folk and blues. His bottleneck slide guitar, original songs and expressive singing are his trademark. He has been called “the missing link between Paul Simon and Muddy Waters” and has opened shows for such greats as Van Morrison, David Lindley, Leon Russell, Chris Whitley, John Hammond, Tom Paxton, and many others.
Billy established the independent label “GoodmanRecords” in the year 2000 with three releases so far, Live in Amsterdam, Hellrides and Hollywood Waltzes and Blues, all of which have received international acclaim.

New Hope, PA (May 15, 2012) – The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce would like to extend their gratitude to the organizations and individuals who actively worked in a team effort to recover the Friday Night Fireworks barge used for setting off fireworks:

Marc Currie of Niece Lumber said, “It was a total group effort spearheaded by Bill Scandone, Glen Stephan, Dieter Schiell, Pat Skillman, Jon Janeyski and Tim Yates. Without their efforts and equipment, the recovery would not have been possible.”

Also involved with the recovery were the New Hope Police and Fire Departments, Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, New Jersey State Police Marine Division, Hopewell Police Department.

Currie further commented, “We’d also like to thank Tim Brewer and the Upper Makefield Fire Department for assisting with their boat on Thursday night. The barge is an integral part of the fireworks and without it fireworks do not happen.”

Sometime in the evening of May 9, 2012, the barge was vandalized, sending it down the Delaware River. The Chamber of Commerce issued a reward of $1,000 to anyone with information leading to an arrest and conviction. The reward was increased to $2,000.
Friday Night Fireworks kick-off the summer season on May 25, 2012 at 9:30 pm. The fireworks show is scheduled every Friday night through August 31. A test run will take place on May 18 also at 9:30 pm.

For additional information on New Hope go to www.VisitNewHope.com.

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Contact: Carol Ann Della Penna
917.327.9477
c.dellapenna@verizon.net

New Hope, PA (April 23, 2012) – Back by popular demand, the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce and Lambertville Chamber of Commerce are announcing the return of Friday Night Fireworks, a spectacle of lights over the Delaware River. The 15-week summer long promotion kicks-off on Friday, May 25 every Friday night at 9:30 pm until August 31, 2012. Orchestrated by Garden State Fireworks, a glittering ten-minute firework show will illuminate the sky over the Delaware River for the summer season. In addition, most retail businesses on both sides of the river will stay open late.

Bill Scandone, co-chair and Borough Council member said, “Friday Night Fireworks have more than revitalized our communities, they are bringing us together. Our residents are waiting in anticipation for Fireworks 2012, and we aim to please. All ages come out to watch the display. Our goal is to dazzle while enforcing our safety first policy. We thank all of the protection groups, fire, Police, river protection and Bridge Commission. We could not do this without their support.”

“It takes a village and then some to pull off Friday Night Fireworks,” commented Nick Gialias, co-chair and owner of the Logan Inn. “We are working endlessly to raise enough funds so everyone can enjoy the spectacular show as well as the many shops, restaurants and activities our river towns have to offer. But we need financial contributions to make it all happen.”

This year, we will have street teams collecting donations. Friday Night Fireworks are made possible by 100% charitable contributions from local/corporate business owners, residents and tourists. To make a donation, mail a check to:

The Bank of Princeton, 10 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530. All checks should be made out to New Hope on the Delaware Fireworks. Questions about donations should be emailed to Wilson Weed at Wweed@thebankofprinceton.com or by calling 609-423-8906.

Donations will also be collected during Lambertville’s Shad Fest on April 28 and 29, 2012 at the Lambertville Chamber of Commerce booth. Limited edition photographs, prints and note cards will be sold with 100% of profits raised going to directly to the Friday Night Fireworks.

Also in the works are special celebrity guests to conduct the countdown, live music and other promotions. In the case of inclement weather, please check the website on Friday’s for possible cancellations.

Visit the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce at www.VisitNewHope.com or call 215.862.9990.

A new video featuring Bill Scandone, co-chair of the Friday Night Fireworks aims to promote financial donations to this year’s fireworks show high above the Delaware River between New Hope and Lambertville.

In the video, Scandone, who was involved in the efforts to bring a weekly fireworks display to the area explains the popularity of the fireworks for both local residents and the thousands of tourists who flock to the river communities on Friday nights throughout the summer to shop, dine and enjoy a spectacular pyrotechnics display. As Scandone reveals in the video, funds are needed to keep the 15-week promotion going. Fans and anyone wishing to contribute to Friday Night Fireworks are told how and where they can donate.

Scandone commented, “It’s wonderful what these guys were able to produce. From the way it shows off New Hope to the professional shooting and voiceover, it’s a first rate video to explain why we need funding and how anyone can make a donation.”

“I think the use of video is a great venue to get our message out,” said Lambertville Chamber of Commerce member Wilson Weed. “The video is posted on our Facebook page and has been very well received. It’s fantastic how it all rolled out,” Weed further commented.

Weed said the Chamber was looking for a way to get the word out about the need for private donations when John Weber and Kim Bjorheim, owners of Delaware Valley Video in Lambertville, approached him. They graciously offered to produce a video for the project free of charge.

Residents who would like to make a donation can write a check to New Hope on the Delaware / Fireworks and send the check to: The Bank of Princeton, 10 Bridge Street in Lambertville. All donations are tax deductible. The first fireworks display this year kicks off Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 25 at 9:30 pm.

Contact: Carol Della Penna
c.dellapenna@verizon.net
917.327.9477