Tune In, Turn On
With Doug Deutsch
Think your career is tough? Try being a musician these days. If you’re not an established act, with a decent following that will come see you live, it’s not anywhere near as glamorous as it might seem.
There’s work uncertainty, difficulty in getting a paycheck from sometimes-unscrupulous club bookers and managers, finding time to practice (much less write new songs), band members changing, and more. In short, it’s a jungle out there, especially for younger, inexperienced people who are new to the business.
Which is all the better reason for someone like Jerry Ryan to exist here at the Jersey Shore.
Ryan is the founder/producer of the 15th Annual Elephant Talk Indie Music Awards taking place Oct. 18-20 at the TBAH.
Tall, outgoing, and usually seen wearing some sort of colorful hippie-style headband paired with a band t-shirt, the 40-ish, AC-born Ryan seems perfectly suited to the task of managing a wide-ranging, multi-genre, three-day music festival with approximately 70 bands and solo artists performing both indoors and outside. Some bands have received awards (we’ll get to that in a bit).
As a communication exchange and source of networking for all these up-and-coming acts, Ryan’s yearly awards event is invaluable. There’s also an Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival each spring, which is another three-day extravaganza (the previous one was in April, also at TABH).
“I got the idea for the Elephant Talk Indie Music Awards around the same time I started booking shows in the Atlantic City area in 2010,” Ryan told Tune In Turn On recently, in one of our occasional, always lively, messenger chats. “I thought it would be nice to celebrate our local ORIGINAL music community.
“The first year (2010), we only posted the winners and finalists on Facebook. The following year (2011), I decided to add the live event, with trophies. It was held at (long-time but now-gone restaurant/music venue) Le Grand Fromage in Gordon’s Alley. (the awards) were a big hit, and took off from there.
“Now, here we are in year number 15, with a three-day music festival at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall. I couldn’t be happier.”
Note: Ryan’s Elephants For Autism enriches the lives of local autistic children and young adults through free community programs. Ryan has been instrumental in raising funds and awareness for the Heart of Surfing organization, founded by Shore Local Publisher Bob Fertsch and Editor Cindy Fertsch.
“My two Headliners this year are The Azures (blues) and Renee Maskin (singer-songwriter). Renee won Musician of the Year (overall) for the 2024 Elephant Talk Indie Music Awards. The Azures had nine total wins, including Breakthrough Artist,” said Ryan. “I’ll tell you who I think has the best shot to break nationally – CALLUM. She’s a brilliant, self-motivated, 17-year-old singer-songwriter who seems to understand what it takes to get to that next level.”
How are the ETIMA category winners selected, what’s the process?
“I determine the winners based on their original music during the year – albums, touring, etc. Oh, and sheer talent doesn’t hurt their chances.”
So, no formal submission process?
“Nope. It’s me. If I do it any other way then it’ll be a popularity contest where everyone picks their friends to win. I’m trying to get it right. I’ve listened to every album and track. So, I feel confident and qualified to come up with the nominations and then break those categories into the final list of winners with my unbiased opinion.”
The name Elephant Talk, what’s the story behind that?
“It came from a song,” said Ryan. “Initially I planned to start a music magazine called Elephant in 2009. My co-collaborator at the time, Alex Durante, was a big King Crimson fan. And ‘Elephant Talk’ had a nice ring to it.”
Asked what advice he would share with these not-yet-famous artists that he supports, Ryan replied, “not just the bands I book, I’d advise ALL bands to write music for yourself, from your own heart. Whether you “make it” or not, you will thank yourself one day for staying true to yourself and telling your own story.”
And his role?
“I just give them a platform to be an original artist,” said Ryan.
We asked Jerry if he’s booked anyone who’s become successful in the music biz?
“The Alabama Shakes played (Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival) early last decade. (Alabama Shakes front person) Brittany Howard, was the overall ETIMA Female Vocalist of the Year winner in 2012,” said Ryan. “Sometimes the stars align, and great bands happen to be touring though the area at the right time and need a date filled. I can only take credit for having my finger on the pulse. They were already destined for greatness.”
The rootsy-rock Alabama Shakes have won four Grammy awards in a star-filled career which began in 2009 and continues today.
Your band may not become the next Alabama Shakes, but it’s clear Ryan’s Elephant Talk Indie Awards and Festival are vital to the growth of the independent music community in South Jersey.
Come on out this weekend to the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall (note new free parking lot up the street, right-hand side) and support original indie music.
The Elephant Talk Indie Music Awards Festival, featuring performances by, among others, Jersey Calling, Amy Elizabeth, Malcolm Tent and 1Adam12, Rubix Pube, STFU, Black Rose Rebellion, Astrophels, Wring Me Out, Meatplow, Dogbeach, and many more; takes place 5-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18; 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday, Oct. 19 and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20 at the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, 133 S. Tennessee Ave., Atlantic City. Tickets are $15 nightly or $30 for a weekend pass. Info: https://facebook.com/elelphanttalkindie.
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.
