Beginning Friday, July 10, Tony Mart Cares will present five free Friday night concerts at the Somers Point Beach Concert Series, featuring nationally recognized rock, Americana and New Orleans artists.
The series opens July 10 with Dead Zep, a band that blends the music of Led Zeppelin and the Grateful Dead. The group is led by Waynard Scheller, who has performed with members of the Grateful Dead family, including Bob Weir and projects associated with Jerry Garcia. Guitarist Jaden Lehman, an emerging Americana artist who has performed with Oteil Burbridge and has appeared alongside John Mayer and Dead & Company, will also be featured.
On July 17, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band take the stage. Best known for the soundtrack to the film Eddie and the Cruisers, Cafferty will perform songs from throughout his career, including “On the Dark Side,” “Tender Years,” “Wild Summer Nights” and “Boardwalk Angel.” The concert will also include selections from his recent album, Sound of Waves, along with music written for films, including Rocky V.
The series continues July 24 with bassist George Porter Jr. and the Runnin’ Pardners. A founding member of The Meters, Porter is a Grammy Award winner and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award recognized by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The evening also features pianist John “Papa” Gros, whose performance includes music associated with Dr. John, Billy Preston, Allen Toussaint, The Beatles and Levon Helm.
Rock veteran Mitch Ryder returns to Somers Point on July 31 with the Tony Mart Allstars. Ryder, known for hits including “Devil With a Blue Dress On,” “Sock It to Me Baby” and “Good Golly Miss Molly,” will perform a career-spanning set featuring many of his best-known recordings.
The five-week series concludes Aug. 7 with The Weeklings, whose performances combine Beatles classics with original music inspired by the band’s sound. Members of The Weeklings have performed with artists and groups including Styx, Electric Light Orchestra, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes and Max Weinberg’s Jukebox.
All concerts are free and held Friday evenings on the Somers Point beach.
The Legacy Concerts on the Beach series will continue Aug. 28 with Deep Blue Something, the band behind the 1990s hit “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” The concert will also feature Slow Hands, an Eric Clapton tribute band.
