Tune In, Turn On
Much like the Grateful Dead, the popularity of their classic rock counterparts from the past, The Allman Brothers Band, is huge in our South Jersey region.
This summer alone, there are upcoming appearances by the Allman Betts Band (performing at Borgata Hotel and Casino’s Music Box) this Saturday, June 21. There will also be the South Jersey performing debut of Melody Trucks and Friends, featuring Melody and Vaylor Trucks, daughter and son respectively, of late Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks; plus the Fitzkee Brothers and Ryan Gregg at Somers Point Beach Concerts presented by Tony Mart Cares Friday, Aug. 8; and another appearance by Allman, this time fronting Devon Allman’s Blues Summit with Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray and Sierra Green, as part of the Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk Concert Series taking place Wednesday, Aug. 20.
The Allman Betts Band makes timeless rock and roll for the modern world, blurring the boundaries between blues, Americana and Southern soul.
The Allman Betts Band includes Devon Allman and Duane Betts, the sons of late Allman Brothers Band members Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts, respectively, on lead vocals/guitars; Alex Orbison, son of Roy Orbison, on drums; Justin Corgan on bass; slide guitarist Johnny Stachela; Hammond B3 organist John Ginty, and drummer John Lum.
Critically-acclaimed studio albums like “Down to the River” and “Bless Your Heart,” have established the band’s own legacy of music and brotherhood, while hundreds of live shows – including annual performances of the all-star Allman Betts Family Revival – have sharpened the group’s chemistry onstage.
There’s a richly historic lineage to The Allman Betts Band, but these musicians proudly live in the modern world, carving out a contemporary soundtrack for the American South. The band went on a brief hiatus in 2022, then reunited in 2024, and have performed together since.
Allman Betts Band at Borgata tickets start at $73. and are available through Ticketmaster.Info: https://borgata.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/the-music-box.html.
Malcolm Tent CD Release at Anchor: As unique as they get, longtime Jersey Shore musician Malcolm Tent will celebrate the release of his new album, “A Fade Worse Than Deaf,” with a set at Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City this coming Saturday night, June 21.
“This is my first album of new material in over a decade. The title, ‘A Fade Worse Than Deaf,’ won out over the other album I was going to use, ‘Battle Him For The Republic.’ (In addition to being a proficient accordion player, Tent, 78 years young, is a master punster).
At the Anchor Rock Club show, Tent will be joined onstage by two members of local rockers Te Vista (Niko Berardo, guitar; Desi Berardo, drums) in addition to 1adam12 (Adam Berarado, father to Niko and Desi) on bass.
For the 12-song set, Tent and 1adam12 will play nine of the songs as a duo (the way they normally perform), and will then be joined by Niko and Desi for the last three songs. Tent, not surprisingly, coined a clever name for the erstwhile group, calling them “Four Peace Band.”
Tent’s long musical history includes past gigs at the legendary venues including City Gardens in Trenton, Max’s Kansas City and CBGB’s in New York City. He’s a unique performer and a true artist.
Soul Project NOLA Tour at the Jersey Shore: It’s no secret that New Orleans is a hotbed for musicians performing a multitude of music genres. One such ensemble, Soul Project NOLA, which draws upon the funky spirit and foundation of their home of New Orleans, deftly capturing the mix of funk, jazz, blues, gospel and groove that the Crescent City continually produces.
Bandleader, guitarist and vocalist Jon Cristian Duque, protege of the late great Walter “Wolfman” Washington, has led the band for over two decades. The band’s core rhythm section is a tight, funky unit that provides the infectious grooves and precision arrangements for which the band is known.
“We really look forward to our trip to New Jersey every summer to play for our fans, friends and family.” Washington told us via email. “I have been living and working in New Orleans for twenty years, but I was raised on the Jersey Shore, so for me this is a homecoming of sorts. Our favorite regular spots like The Lizzie Rose Music Room (where they perform June 19), and we are also looking forward to playing the popular concert series Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City.”
They will be performing there June 25, kicking off the 2025 season series). Info: soulprojectnola.com.
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
Photos by John Loreaux
