Tune In, Turn On
With Doug Deutsch
The expression “Electric Church” was coined by the late, great guitarist, Jimi Hendrix in describing informal gatherings of musicians playing exploratory, nontraditional music, often involving jam sessions and collaborations – including the musicians he worked with while recording the iconic “Electric Ladyland” album released in 1968, and at Woodstock. It was an informal, exploratory musical collective and indeed, a way of life for Hendrix, who passed away at the young age of 27 in 1970.
This same collaborative spirit informs the ambitious 2025 “Experience Hendrix” Tour, which comes to Atlantic City April 4 at Ocean Casino Resort’s Ovation Hall. It’s being hailed by critics and music fans alike as the “Guitar Event of the Year,” as the lineup features performances by some of the biggest names in the guitar universe: Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Samantha Fish, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Marcus King, Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, Devon Allman, Ally Venable, Noah Hunt, Chuck Campbell and Calvin Cook, Mato Nanji, Dylan Triplett, Henri Brown, Chris Layton and Kevin McCormick are all on the bill.
It’s extremely rare to see such an assemblage of talent on one stage. Guitar lovers of all music genres dare not miss this one!
Expect to hear and see one-of-a-kind collaborations as these fine guitarists perform the Hendrix songbook, including “Little Wing,” “Fire,” “Purple Haze,” “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” and so many more.
Very lucky “Experience Hendrix” concertgoers will also get to see living blues legend Buddy Guy performing on the final show of the tour, April 12, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.
“It’s such an honor to be included on this year’s Experience Hendrix Tour,” Devon Allman told Tune In Turn On via email.
Allman is one of three sons born to Allman Brothers Band co-founder Gregg Allman. “Jimi’s music has meant the world to me since my earliest days of playing guitar – truly iconic, gorgeous music that takes you away to another plane. The tour has a great family vibe as well since we all bond over this sacred music.”
In addition to his April 4 appearance at “Experience Hendrix,” Jersey Shore music lovers have two additional opportunities this summer to see Allman in concert: with the Allman/Betts Band (which Devon fronts with Duane Betts, late ABB guitarist Dickey Betts’ son) at Borgata Hotel Casino on June 21, and on the Boardwalk Aug. 20, fronting Devon Allman’s Blues Summit in the latter part of the Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk/Tony Mart Summer Concert Series.
“Experience Hendrix was amazing from start to finish,” said Phillip Smith, editor/founder of the music blog PhillyCheezeBlues, who attended an “Experience Hendrix” show at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee, Iowa. “I loved seeing Ally (Venable) onstage letting loose. And to hear Marcus King, Devon Allman and Kenny Wayne Shepherd cover Hendrix was indeed a fabulous experience.”
The first-ever Hendrix-themed event took place in September of 1995, and was called the Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Festival. There have been 24 subsequent Experience Hendrix yearly festivals since, with virtually every rock/blues guitarist of note performing throughout the years. Atlantic City is fortunate to be hosting one of these instant classic concerts in 2025.
See Experience Hendrix 8 p.m. Friday, April 4., at Ocean Casino Resort, 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City. For tickets/info: www.theoceanac.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 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.
