Here's the formula for a successful CD release party:

1) Book it in an acoustically superior venue.

2) Schedule some talented opening acts.

3) Kick out the jams and keep everyone rockin' for hours on end.

4) Release a killer CD from which to draw material.

There you have it. And it was executed to perfection by Bill Toms and Hard Rain on Saturday night at Cefalo's Restaurant & Nightclub in Carnegie.

If you haven't been to Cefalo's, check it out. The restaurant/showplace is inside a renovated

church - the type of building that was constructed with acoustics in mind. Combine that with a clear sound system, and everyone can enjoy the music (and good food, too, from what I'm told).

Preceding Bill's band to the stage were Joey Murphy, solo with acoustic guitar, and Tom Breiding and American Son, a four-piece band.

Joey performed a set of her originals, her husky, well-projected voice and catchy strumming providing an atmospheric opener as the crowd settled in for a night of rock 'n' roll. And Tom's band rocked, drawing material from several of his albums, including closing the set with my personal favorite of his: "You Don't Want to Lose Her," from "Happy Hour in the Round Hotel" (named after the departed Peters Township tavern). The talented Jill Simmons joined in to lend her vocal talents to that tune's chorus.

Tom, of course, also is a member of Bill Toms and Hard Rain, so he strapped on his Telecaster again for the evening's main attraction, a show celebrating the release of Bill's "The West End Kid." (Scroll down for more about this fine recording.)

The band was smokin' all night, with all the guys putting their many years of experience on full display: Bill and several other band members also are members of the locally legendary Houserockers. So of course, the head Houserocker, Joe Grushecky, guested on several songs, blazing away on his Schecter. Another guest was Marc Reisman (yet one more Houserocker), wailing away on his collection of Marine Bands.

Others musicians joined forces with Bill and his band throughout the evening (at one point, we counted 10 people on stage) for a thoroughly entertaining show that had a good bit of the packed house dancing, and most of the crowd alternately drained from the high energy and wanting to hear more.

Talk about doing it right.

PHOTOS:

1) Bill Toms does his thing.

2) Joe Grushecky helps Tom tear it up.

3) Marc Reisman teams with Hard Rainer Phil Brontz (also of 8th Street Rox).

4) Tom Breiding plays during his band's set.

5) Joey Murphy performs.