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Versatile Cover Artist “I Am Curbie” Available For New Jersey Events
Toms River, NJ — Curbie Ciamarra — perhaps better know as “iamCURBIE” — keeps a running list on his phone of all the song requests he was unable to fulfill at his shows. You see, he has this insane goal that he can learn at least one song by every artist ever. That way when guests come up to request their favorite tune, he might not be able to deliver on that exact record, but he’ll be able to play something from the artist and keep the patron happy.
Of course, this goal is impossible, but it demonstrates Curbie’s dedication to the show and helps explain why his audiences become so enamoured with his performances.
“I don’t want a wheel house, I want to be able to play a little of everything,” he said. “A Justin Bieber song can be just as fun as Led Zeppelin. I make it my own so that it’s fun for me and the audience.”
A lot of cover bands can sound exactly like the recorded track and nail every note of the guitar solo, but Curbie brings his own personality to the music and makes it his own. It’s this authenticity that turns heads at the bar and keeps regulars coming back to hear something new next week. If patrons want to hear the song verbatim they have Spotify, but iamCURBIE makes the night an experience to remember.
“That’s one of the biggest compliments I get is when people say, ‘I like how you make the songs your own,’” Curbie said. “I take pride in that because it’s fun and if people enjoy it — that’s icing on the cake.”
From Billy Joel, Rush, and Lynyrd Skynyrd to Adele, Carrie Underwood, and Justin Timberlake, Curbie has been bringing his eclectic music tastes to various venues, backyards, basements, fundraisers, weddings, and unique events all over NJ, NY, PA, and MA. For two years you could find him every Tuesday at Maggie's Bar & Restaurant in Lakewood, New Jersey as part of an extended residency.
Although he’s played in groups before, today Curbie fills the room with his guitar, voice, and some assistance from a looping pedal. It makes setup easy and simplifies band practice.
Of course, the moniker iamCURBIE is a fun way to stand out at shows and a catchy phrase to put on stickers, which fans place all around New Jersey. The only problem is, Curbie isn’t his actual name — it’s Brian.
While learning to ride a motorcycle with his dad, a tennis ball crossed the rocker’s path and he swerved up onto the curb with his front wheel up in the air, kept accelerating, and did a wheelie halfway across someone's front lawn before tumbling down.
“My dad was at the stop sign yelling ‘pick up the bike Curbie!’” he recalled. “It kind of stuck and when I started to use it as a stage name I thought that would be more memorable than Brian.”
Now, Curbie’s son dons the musician’s birth name and serves as the main focus of inspiration for his original music.
“I write a lot of songs about my wife but my son is my muse,” he said. “It’s a whole new thing in your life that’s pretty damn incredible and it’s hard not to have deep feelings about it.”
To request I Am Curbie for your upcoming event, email him at iamcurbie@gmail.com. Rates will vary based on the type and length of the event. Visit IAmCurbie.com for a list of original and cover songs, videos, photos, and reviews from attendees.
Toms River, NJ — Curbie Ciamarra — perhaps better know as “iamCURBIE” — keeps a running list on his phone of all the song requests he was unable to fulfill at his shows. You see, he has this insane goal that he can learn at least one song by every artist ever. That way when guests come up to request their favorite tune, he might not be able to deliver on that exact record, but he’ll be able to play something from the artist and keep the patron happy.
Of course, this goal is impossible, but it demonstrates Curbie’s dedication to the show and helps explain why his audiences become so enamoured with his performances.
“I don’t want a wheel house, I want to be able to play a little of everything,” he said. “A Justin Bieber song can be just as fun as Led Zeppelin. I make it my own so that it’s fun for me and the audience.”
A lot of cover bands can sound exactly like the recorded track and nail every note of the guitar solo, but Curbie brings his own personality to the music and makes it his own. It’s this authenticity that turns heads at the bar and keeps regulars coming back to hear something new next week. If patrons want to hear the song verbatim they have Spotify, but iamCURBIE makes the night an experience to remember.
“That’s one of the biggest compliments I get is when people say, ‘I like how you make the songs your own,’” Curbie said. “I take pride in that because it’s fun and if people enjoy it — that’s icing on the cake.”
From Billy Joel, Rush, and Lynyrd Skynyrd to Adele, Carrie Underwood, and Justin Timberlake, Curbie has been bringing his eclectic music tastes to various venues, backyards, basements, fundraisers, weddings, and unique events all over NJ, NY, PA, and MA. For two years you could find him every Tuesday at Maggie's Bar & Restaurant in Lakewood, New Jersey as part of an extended residency.
Although he’s played in groups before, today Curbie fills the room with his guitar, voice, and some assistance from a looping pedal. It makes setup easy and simplifies band practice.
Of course, the moniker iamCURBIE is a fun way to stand out at shows and a catchy phrase to put on stickers, which fans place all around New Jersey. The only problem is, Curbie isn’t his actual name — it’s Brian.
While learning to ride a motorcycle with his dad, a tennis ball crossed the rocker’s path and he swerved up onto the curb with his front wheel up in the air, kept accelerating, and did a wheelie halfway across someone's front lawn before tumbling down.
“My dad was at the stop sign yelling ‘pick up the bike Curbie!’” he recalled. “It kind of stuck and when I started to use it as a stage name I thought that would be more memorable than Brian.”
Now, Curbie’s son dons the musician’s birth name and serves as the main focus of inspiration for his original music.
“I write a lot of songs about my wife but my son is my muse,” he said. “It’s a whole new thing in your life that’s pretty damn incredible and it’s hard not to have deep feelings about it.”
To request I Am Curbie for your upcoming event, email him at iamcurbie@gmail.com. Rates will vary based on the type and length of the event. Visit IAmCurbie.com for a list of original and cover songs, videos, photos, and reviews from attendees.
NOTABLE VENUES PLAYED
The Saint - Asbury Park, NJ
Brighton Bar - Long Branch, NJ
Bar A - Lake Como, NJ
The Chubby Pickle - Highlands, NJ
Crossroads - Garwood, NJ
Sarah Street Grill - East Stroudsburg, PA
Out of the Blue Too - Boston, MA
Jimbos - Seaside Heights, NJ
Martell's Waters Edge - Bayville, NJ
The Sand Bar - Brielle, NJ
Half Moon Point - Point Pleasant, NJ
The Boneyard - Atlantic City, NJ
Rusty Nail - Cape May, NJ
Riverhorse Brewery - Ewing, NJ
McIntyres Pub - Toms River, NJ
2nd State Lounge - Philadelphia, PA (as seen on Bar Rescue)
Jax Garage - Seaside, NJ
Rinn Duin Brewery - Toms River, NJ
The Cove - Bayville, NJ
Elaines - Cape May, NJ
PJ Sweeneys - Brick, nj
Breakers Kitchen and Tap - Waretown, NJ
Long Beach RV Resort - Barnegat, NJ
The Lobster Shanty - Point Pleasant, NJ
Molly Maguires Gastropub - Rumson, NJ
Hemingways - Seaside, NJ
Maggies Restaurant and Night Club - Lakewood, NJ
Joey Harrisons River House - Forked River, NJ
TJK Stadium - Keansburg, NJ
Ventnor Coffee - Ventnor City, NJ
Rivolis Grill and Chill - Howell, NJ
Cornerstone Kitchen and Tap - Jackson, NJ
C - View Inn - Cape May, NJ
Pauls Tavern - Belmar, NJ
Sunsets Riverfront Restaurant - Neptune City, NJ
Anthonys Micro Pub - Harrisburg, PA
Pete's Olde Towne - New Cumberland, PA
The Saint - Asbury Park, NJ
Brighton Bar - Long Branch, NJ
Bar A - Lake Como, NJ
The Chubby Pickle - Highlands, NJ
Crossroads - Garwood, NJ
Sarah Street Grill - East Stroudsburg, PA
Out of the Blue Too - Boston, MA
Jimbos - Seaside Heights, NJ
Martell's Waters Edge - Bayville, NJ
The Sand Bar - Brielle, NJ
Half Moon Point - Point Pleasant, NJ
The Boneyard - Atlantic City, NJ
Rusty Nail - Cape May, NJ
Riverhorse Brewery - Ewing, NJ
McIntyres Pub - Toms River, NJ
2nd State Lounge - Philadelphia, PA (as seen on Bar Rescue)
Jax Garage - Seaside, NJ
Rinn Duin Brewery - Toms River, NJ
The Cove - Bayville, NJ
Elaines - Cape May, NJ
PJ Sweeneys - Brick, nj
Breakers Kitchen and Tap - Waretown, NJ
Long Beach RV Resort - Barnegat, NJ
The Lobster Shanty - Point Pleasant, NJ
Molly Maguires Gastropub - Rumson, NJ
Hemingways - Seaside, NJ
Maggies Restaurant and Night Club - Lakewood, NJ
Joey Harrisons River House - Forked River, NJ
TJK Stadium - Keansburg, NJ
Ventnor Coffee - Ventnor City, NJ
Rivolis Grill and Chill - Howell, NJ
Cornerstone Kitchen and Tap - Jackson, NJ
C - View Inn - Cape May, NJ
Pauls Tavern - Belmar, NJ
Sunsets Riverfront Restaurant - Neptune City, NJ
Anthonys Micro Pub - Harrisburg, PA
Pete's Olde Towne - New Cumberland, PA