Tune In Turn On
So, how was your Fourth of July weekend?
The South Jersey shore was buzzing with activity, and, for the most part, the weather cooperated with sunny skies and summer heat — except for an ill-timed sandstorm that swept across Atlantic City’s beach just minutes before Tropicana’s Fourth of July fireworks display.
Esteemed area photographer John Loreaux and his wife, Cami, hosted the first of their twice-yearly gatherings, featuring a rousing performance by the Billy Walton Band and a who’s who of the local music scene. Among those in attendance were Tony Mart Presents’ Carmen and Nancy Marotta, Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival founder Jerry Ryan, musician Amy Elizabeth and many others.
Earlier in the week, I attended the opening celebration for Caesars’ new Beach Bar, located just off the Boardwalk in the heart of Atlantic City. With the beach and ocean only steps away, it’s another great addition to the summer scene at the shore.
Gumbo, music and summer fun
What happens when great live music meets authentic Louisiana cooking? You get the Jersey Gumbo Cook-Off and Louisiana Music Festival, returning Monday, July 13, to The Point in Somers Point.
The free festival runs from 3 to 11 p.m. Attendees can sample unlimited tastings of dozens of locally prepared gumbo recipes for $20, while enjoying a full day of live music at no charge.
This year’s lineup features Soul Project NOLA with the Plaid Salmon Horns, bringing the sounds of Bourbon Street to the Jersey Shore. Also on the bill is Bearly Stoned, featuring members of local favorites Dead Reckoning performing what frontman Charlie Wigo describes as “a mashup of Grateful Dead and Rolling Stones tunes.”
For this special performance, the band will be joined by accordionist and vocalist Malcolm Tent, one of the Shore’s longest-performing rock musicians.
“Pretty much all of my gigs have been in the indie underground, and I’m proud to be part of that scene,” Tent said during a recent phone interview. “In this particular instance, thanks to Carmen Marotta, I’m dipping my toe into the mainstream.”
The festival promises a perfect combination of great food, live music and summertime fun.
Where: The Point, 998 Bay Ave., Somers Point.
Chris O’Leary comes to Lizzie Rose
Acclaimed blues singer and harmonica player Chris O’Leary performs Thursday, July 9, at the Lizzie Rose Music Room in Tuckerton.
“Rollicking and riveting, profound and hard-driving — a first-class singer and harmonica player,” Living Blues magazine wrote of O’Leary.
His latest Alligator Records release, Blue Collar, is scheduled for release July 10.
Where: Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main St., Tuckerton.
Anglesea Blues Fest: Hands-down the best yearly blues festival in Southern NJ! This year’s lineup features sets by headliner Michael Allman (oldest son of Gregg Allman) plus Tommy Conwell and the House Rockers, Peter Veteska and Blues Train, Big Bone Daddy, BC Combo, Deb Callahan, Alexis P. Suter, Mojo Gypsies, and Jeff Fetterman; plus, as always, the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship simultaneously taking place during the music on July 10-12, 2nd and New Jersey Aves., North Wildwood. Free admission (barbecue is extra). Info: https://angleseablues.com/.
Get ‘Guttered’ at Anchor Rock Club
Anyone who says the Jersey Shore lacks a hardcore rock scene hasn’t seen Gutter Drunk.
The quartet — Will Boothby on vocals and guitar, Sean Chivalette on rhythm guitar, Brad Jones on bass and Tom Harris on drums — regularly packs Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City.
“Just being with my friends, hanging out and playing music — that’s where I see this going,” Boothby told Shore Local in a January 2025 interview. “Putting out a ton of cool music that everybody enjoys. I think it’s so awesome seeing kids enjoy our music. These kids think we’re like rock stars.”
The band performs Saturday, July 11 at 8 p.m.
Where: Anchor Rock Club, Atlantic City. Tickets are $16.35.
That’s all for this week. As always, thanks for reading Tune In Turn On and for supporting our Shore Local advertisers.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
