Tune In, Turn On
With Doug Deutsch
Today’s country music is not the same as the classic country music of artists like Johnny Cash, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson and the like. Nowadays the popular “Bro Country” genre (think Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line; Jason Aldean), which includes elements of hip hop, hard rock and electronica, is the dominant sound heard at many country music concerts. That includes big events, including the popular three-day Barefoot Country Music Festival which takes place each year in Wildwood. June 19-22, 2025 is next year’s date, (FYI). Tune In Turn On admits to not being a fan of the Bro Country genre – which makes Old-School country artists such as Brad Paisley all the more important.
Paisley, who brings his “Son of the Mountains” Tour to Ocean Casino’s Ovation Theater this Saturday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m., is a three-time Grammy winner and 14-time Academy of Country Music Awards recipient. “Son of the Mountains” is the title of Paisley’s upcoming album, his 13th, and the first to be released through EMI Nashville after a long run with his previous label, Arista Nashville.
Four singles from the album were released Sept. 29. Two of the tracks: “Son of the Mountains” and “The Medicine Will,” are representations of the Appalachian region (including Paisley’s home state, West Virginia).
“The Medicine Will,” in particular, is very poignant, focusing on the opioid epidemic, and was filmed in black and white in the depths of a West Virginia coal mine, featuring real-life stories of addicts, survivors, and first responders. The “Son of the Mountains” album “doesn’t shy away from reflecting real life and real situations going on in America and in our world today,” says Paisley, 51. “This is what I think country music is about, which is truth.”
This resonates with many listeners – okay, we’ll say it, older ones, such as yours truly – way more than many of the lyrics and music of the Country Bro genre, which primarily focuses on partying and having a good time. Tickets/info: theoceanac.com.
Where Eddie Lives: Tony Mart Presents will host a Columbus Day celebration at Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point with a performance by original “Eddie and the Cruisers” drummer David Patrick Wilson, along with the Billy Walton Band and Michael “Tunes” Atunes, saxophonist who played those iconic leads in the aforementioned much-loved 1983 film. It starts at 5 p.m. with a Q&A with the cast of “Eddie and the Cruisers,” followed by music at 6:30 p.m. and a showing of the movie at 8 p.m. Tickets/info: gatewaybythebay.org.
Corrections/WLFR: Last week’s column incorrectly identified late, longtime WLFR on-air personality Paul Adrian Glaser. Matthew Unversaw is WLFR’s music director. Not only is 100% accuracy important, it also gives us an opportunity to again mention two big events marking Lake Fred Radio’s 40th anniversary.
Friday, Oct. 11, will feature acoustic performances by Americana/roots artist Rhett Miller, and two members of local band Te Vista, at Anchor Rock Club in AC (this is a paid show; anchorrockclub.com for tickets/info). Wednesday, Oct. 16 (7-10 p.m., free show) at Stockton’s Campus Center in Galloway, will feature sets by Te Vista (full band), The Sheckies, Deardarkhead, and rock accordionist-vocalist Malcom Tent (with Adam Berardo, aka 1adam12) on bass and WLFR DJs spinning in between.
WLFR (91.7 FM) first went on the air in 1984 and on the World Wide Web in 2004 (at stockton.edu/wlfr). Tune In Turn On apologizes for the errors in last week’s column and hopes to see our local friends and WLFR supporters at each of these fine upcoming events.
Peace out until next week.
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.
