Tune In, Turn On
By Doug Deutsch
We’re counting down the days until the incredible roots-rock singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams makes a very special SJ area appearance at Ocean City Music Pier (Saturday, Nov. 23). In the meantime hear’s what’s happening…
Tennessee Avenue (Blues) Hall: A well-known Southern California musician named Cadillac Zack once memorably told me, “If you can draw a hundred or more people to a blues show, it’s a success.” Zack’s words were in my mind last Friday night at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City, where local musician Jeff Caraway threw himself a birthday party featuring local musicians William Rishell, James Howell, Luis Gonzalez, himself, and a very special blues musician by the name of Billy The Kid (along with his band The Regulators).
Before the night was over, TABH booker/part owner Scott Cronick told us there were 110 paid admissions. So, in other words, according to Cadillac Zack, a successful event – and, as a result, Cronick said he was open to possibly more blues-themed shows there.
For the better part of two hours, Billy (full name Billy Evanochko) put on a fun, high-energy guitar clinic, hopping up to jam on tables at the outside venue and playing a special cigar box guitar that was made for him by Florida-based blues musician, JP Soars. Billy is popular in the South Jersey area, having performed several times at local promoter Betsy Lynn Paisley’s house concerts, as well as a recent show at Lizzie Rose Music Hall.
Elsewhere In AC: The casinos have been rockin’ with big-name headline acts such as Squeeze, Boy George, Crowded House, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Jane’s Addiction, and Get The Led Out all making recent appearances.
Of particular note: The Jane’s Addiction show at Hard Rock. On this night, vocalist Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro and the rest of the band were in fine form…but not so much a week or so later, where the band unfortunately imploded after an on-stage altercation between Farrell and Navarro, which subsequently resulted in the rest of the tour being canceled.
Anchor Rock Club, coming off a weekend that featured special shows at the spacious New York Avenue venue by hardcore-Krishna rockers Shelter (featuring two members formerly of hardcore group Youth of Today) and gender-bending Laura Jane Grace & the Mississippi Medicals, isn’t letting up, with a performance by popular North Jersey group The Feelies here on Friday, Sept. 20.
This longtime indie rock group packed the Anchor the last time they performed here in November 2022. There’s a local connection, too: Area musician Adam Berardo, also known as 1adam12, performs in a band with Feelies’ guitarist, Glenn Mercer. The Feelies’ strong harmonies and well-crafted pop-rock tunes make this a show to see. Tix/info: anchorrockclub.com.
This Weekend & Beyond: Josie Kelly’s in Somers Point keeps the live music going with a NJ British Invasion (Friday, Sept. 20) and Allman Brothers Band tribute Hotlanta (Saturday Sept. 20). Both are free. Josiekellys.com for more.
Finally, Chicago blues guitar queen Joanna Connor brings her expertise to Lizzie Rose Music Hall this Sunday, Sept. 22, with opening act Bees Deluxe, of whom The Rock Doctor, Music Critic John Kereiff wrote, “this is what Steely Dan would sound like if they played the blues.”
Tix/info: lizzierosemusicroom.com.
See You Next Week, stay safe and please support our local music venues.
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 also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/dougdeutschpublicity.
