Tune In, Turn On
Regular readers of this column know we’re big supporters of homegrown Jersey Shore-area talent and most anything that’s culturally appealing. So when WLFR DJ John Guttschall recently reached out to me about a free poetry and music event at the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, 2200 Fairmount Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, space was allotted, information was collected — thanks, John, for answering the dozen or so questions I had — and an article was born.
This will be a packed two hours, with readings by several nationally recognized poets. The evening’s featured poet, Eric Paul, will read from his new collection, “Providence,” published by Heartworm Press.
Other participants include Keith Kopa, whose website humorously introduces him as a “poet, editor, and failed rockstar”; Dani Tauber, described by the recently shuttered Vulnerary magazine as a “messy poet and former music journalist from Southern New Jersey”; Joel Dias-Porter; Rich Russell; Lauren Parks; Loki La Lore; and Guttschall, who will host the event.
Guttschall’s long-running radio show, “Blood and Gutts,” has aired on Stockton’s WLFR 91.7 FM since 2016. The show currently airs from noon to 2 p.m. Fridays and features music played exclusively on vinyl.
“I have been putting on DIY music events since 2003 throughout Atlantic County in venues, bars, halls, clubs, basements, etc., and have toured the country and Canada several times with my own musical projects. Basically, I’m a lifer,” Guttschall said.
Folk-rockers Ornamental will provide the music that night.
“They’re a South Jersey folk act fronted by Lucia Gardiner and always accompanied in some capacity by Niko Berardo. Usually a duo, but sometimes they play as a full band,” Guttschall said.
Berardo is a guitarist in the fast-rising local indie-rock band Te Vista, which performed last weekend at WXPN’s XPoNential Music Festival. Niko and his father, bassist Adam Berardo, also known as 1adam12, occasionally perform with longtime rock accordionist and another favorite of this column, Malcolm Tent. Tent performed at the 48 Blocks Festival in Atlantic City last week.
“Ornamental was responsible for putting on the Pine Barrens Folk Festival at Anchor Rock Club last August,” Guttschall said.
When I asked how Ornamental differed from Te Vista, he replied, “Ornamental, being a folk act, is more stripped-down and subdued, entrancing and hypnotic, compared to the loud, jangly pop, full-band approach of Te Vista. Ornamental has more in common with poets, old folkies and artists like Lead Belly and Joni Mitchell.”
Tune-Ups
Renowned keyboardist and pianist Bruce Katz will make rare South Jersey appearance.
Katz, an in-demand session musician and recording artist who has performed with the Gregg Allman Band, Duke Robillard, Joe Louis Walker, John Hammond and many others, will perform with singer Maria Muldaur, known for “Midnight at the Oasis,” on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Lizzie Rose Music Room in Tuckerton.
“I did a short tour with Maria about 15 years ago as part of a Woodstock band. Then I ran into her at the 2025 Blues Music Awards in Memphis, where I also performed, playing my solo piano tune ‘Get Your Groove,’” Katz told us recently while on the road.
“She was really taken with the tune and the performance and contacted me afterward, telling me how much she liked it. Then we saw each other again this year in Memphis at the BMAs — we were both nominated for awards — and she proposed an East Coast duo tour. I love her singing and her repertoire of lots of ’20s-, ’30s- and ’40s-style jazzy blues, so of course I said yes. Lizzie Rose Music Room will be the first gig.”
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
