Tune In, Turn On
By Doug Deutsch
We’ve always had this thing for bands that work hard, or let’s say, harder than the others. Does working harder lead to additional bookings? Perhaps, there are many other factors as well, but in this business, music acts work years to achieve steady bookings and year-round work.
Here at the Shore, two acts who fit that hard work ethic immediately come to mind.
One is longtime Philly rocker Mike LeCompt, beloved in music clubs from Bethlehem to Wildwood and Sea Isle City, in the game for over 30 years with no signs of slowing It. only took one Mike LeCompt show last summer in Wildwood, first time ever seeing or meeting him, to become a fan for life.
The other is the Billy Walton Band. We’ve seen this seven-piece “Jersey Shore Band” (as keyboardist William Paris describes them) playing seemingly everywhere, ourselves no fewer than three times in the short time I’ve lived here, but we aren’t complaining.
Front man Billy Walton reminds me of the quintessential modern rocker, with nods to such names who preceded him like Tommy Conwell and John Eddie.
Walton’s stage presence is in tune with today’s rock audiences; he clearly enjoys what he’s doing – probably also because he’s got a great music partner up front in recently added Destinee Monroe, a dynamic singer and presence who’s had past industry music success with her sister Paris, signed once to Interscope Records, a significant indie label, as the Clique Girls.
Paris, talented as he is, adds a steadiness and day-to-day-business smarts any band needs to succeed in the long run. And did we mention their killer horn section?
“After we wrapped up the summer season, we went straight overseas for a 16-show tour in Germany, the Netherlands, and England,” Paris said by phone this week. “We were fortunate to have been able to pull off two tours this year. We’ll be going back next year for sure. We’ve just been in the studio prepping a new single, “I Can’t Tell,” that will feature Destinee Monroe on vocals. It’s coming out great and we’re hoping to have it out over the holidays.”
Well, they can’t tell, but I can: “I Can’t Tell,” smokes the blues, full-bodied and dirty in the very best way. Destinee Monroe nails the vocal and you need to hear this woman sing, period. Guitarist Walton backs his singing partner, slow and steady, Paris holding down the keys, excellent horns to close, holy tomole!
No group just falls out of bed and finds success, and the BWB members have put in the time. Walton and Paris started the band as a blues rock power trio in 2007, after Billy joined New Jersey stalwarts Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, incorporating the good time Rock n Soul vibe of Asbury Park into the group. Horns and keys were added into the mix.
Tom Petraccaro, Bruce Krywinski Jr., Eric Safka, and Shane Luckenbaugh built the band up. Covid struck, hurting the band’s progress (having met Paris by phone in 2020, I know this first-hand to be true). The BWB has battled adversity well.
We discussed/compared the Atlantic City/Asbury Park music scenes.
“In Atlantic City, besides the casinos and a couple independent venues, there aren’t quite as many places for bands to develop, compared to Asbury Park,” says Paris. “Atlantic City has more of a year-round vibe. Asbury slows down when the summer is over. We’ve noticed our fans will travel to both.
“It’s great hearing from a fan that the first time they went to Asbury was to see us. Also, many of our fans further north have traditionally looked at Atlantic City as the spot to gamble and when they come see us, they stay here and see other things the area has to offer.”
The Billy Walton Band will perform a special “Paint It Black” Tribute to the Rolling Stones at Josie Kelly’s, Thanksgiving Friday, Nov. 25. They’re also booked for New Year’s Eve at the popular Somers Point venue. Their coolest local gig, though, is Billy and Destinee playing as a duo, every Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Lobby Bar in the Hard Rock Casino.
No cover, get your butts down there, hear some great tunes and sure, watch the Eagles, too.
Buddy Guy, He’s The Man:
One of Chicago’s greatest blues exports, Buddy Guy is coming to Ocean Casino And Resort on Friday, June 16. It’s billed as Guy’s “Farewell Tour.”
A good guitarist, and one of the few great old blues guitarists that are even still alive, Guy nonetheless emphasizes the showman aspect of his already-outgoing personality these days over serious playing. He’s also known for his famed Buddy Guy’s Legends club in Chicago.
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.
