Tune In, Turn On With Doug Deutsch
There are many people involved behind the scenes in the Jersey Shore local music scene. One of them is Jerry Ryan, founder of both the Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival and its companion event, the Elephant Talk Indie Music Awards. Both annual events have been embraced by the music community and have taken place for the past several years at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in the rapidly developing Orange Loop section of Atlantic City.
Ryan recently announced on social media that the 2026 ETIMA — happening Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11 — would be the final physical, in-person awards show. ETIMA will continue as an online event. Tune In, Turn On thought it was fitting and proper to interview Ryan about Elephant Talk’s past, present and future. Here’s how it went.
Doug Deutsch: You’re on record as saying that 2026 will be your last year for the Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival and Awards events. Can you elaborate on this?
Jerry Ryan: It’s true that 2026 will be my last in-person awards show, as I plan to transition the ETIM Awards into an online event going forward. That said, the Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival isn’t going anywhere! It just won’t be a multiday event anymore. I’ve already booked April 10, 2027, for the 18th annual Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival, and I’m really looking forward to it! Less is more for me these days.
DD: Maintaining and curating events the size of Elephant Talk obviously takes a deep devotion to the music and artists. What motivates Jerry Ryan?
JR: I’ve always been self-motivated. I use both the positives and negatives in life to fuel the fire inside me. I’m in constant competition with myself, always striving to grow, improve and become a better version of myself each and every day. I can only speak for myself and the changes I can make. I don’t focus on what others are doing — I focus on leading by example and hopefully motivating others through my actions.
DD: If you could make any changes in the New Jersey original music scene, what would they be and why?
JR: I like the direction the local music scene is heading, and some of the key players have been nothing short of inspiring. It’s encouraging to see people putting in the work, creating opportunities and continuing to push the scene forward.
If you go: Live music begins on the indoor stage Saturday at 11:30 a.m. with a one-hour open mic and concludes at 11 p.m. Dylan Gano will perform from 10:15 to 11 p.m. Music on the outdoor stage begins at noon Saturday with Ugly Noise and ends with a set by The Surf Jerks from 9:15 to 10 p.m.
On Sunday, music begins on the indoor stage at noon when Billy T. Midnight takes the stage and ends with a set by Mindful Melodies from 7:15 to 7:45 p.m. The outdoor stage opens Sunday with a set by School of Rock/Deptford from noon to 1:15 p.m. and concludes with the final set of the night by The Shane Set from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m.
Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall is located at 133 S. Tennessee Ave. on the beach block, with free parking across the street. Admission is $15 each day. This is an all-ages event. For additional information, visit facebook.com/elephanttalkindie. The Elephant Talk Indie Music Awards will take place rain or shine.
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
