Tune in Turn On
Live original music in Southern New Jersey received the proverbial shot in the arm this past year, thanks to Prudential North 2 Shore’s ambitious “Garden State Live” series. Each month, the program spotlights three of Southern and Central New Jersey’s top groups with full sets at Hard Rock Casino’s Sound Waves Theatre in Atlantic City. The 1,300-1,400-seat venue, best known for hosting nationally recognized acts of every genre, now also serves as a high-profile stage for local talent.
This Friday, Sept. 5, Garden State Live will feature their Blues Series with performances by three terrific acts — Debra Devi, the Billy Walton Band and Twisted Livin’. The series started in August, and concludes on Dec.19 with an evening of singer-songwriters.
We had a chance to chat with Debra Devi, one of the artists performing this Friday.
Doug D: What have you been up to musically of late — any new recordings, touring, etc?
Debra D: I’ve been enjoying music festival season! My band and I just played Into the Pines Music Festival in Hammonton, and East Pete Blues Festival in East Petersburg, Pa. I love getting out into nature, and both those festivals were in beautiful locations. We’ll be heading to upstate New York Sept. 14 for the Patterson Blues & BBQ Festival, and are playing Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, Pa. on Sept. 19 with our friends The Outcrops. We hit Berlin in NYC on Sept. 24, and Bernie’s in Chester, N.J., on Sept. 26. Keeping busy, just how we like it! We recently recorded Jesse Malin’s song “Meet Me at the End of the World” at my drummer John Roccesano’s studio — Johnny Rock Records in Union City — for a benefit album. It’ll be released in early 2026 to help Jesse with medical expenses as he fights his way back from a spinal stroke. As for touring farther afield, we’re booking a spring 2026 tour down to Florida and back, following up on our successful mini-tour there in March.
Doug D: How do you feel about this opportunity to play one of the main rooms, Sound Waves Theatre, at Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City this coming Friday as part of Garden State Live?
Debra D: I feel very excited to hop on stage at such a beautiful theater, and share the bill with killer guitar-driven blues/rock artists like the Billy Walton Band and Twisted Livin’. I love that Garden State Live is shining a spotlight on the incredible talent in this state. There are so many great bands in New Jersey, but it can be a struggle for original artists to find places to play. So this is a wonderful opportunity for us.
Doug D: I read about a cause you were involved with, can you tell us more about this?
Debra D: I support the Light of Day Foundation, which uses the power of music to raise money to fight Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative diseases. I played Light of Day Foundation Winterfest at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park in January.
(Garden State Live at Hard Rock Casino Sound Waves Theatre, Friday, Sept. 5, 7 p.m. Tickets: $10. Info: https://northtoshore.com/garden-state-live/).
Ladies Who Rock 4 A Cause: Watch for my upcoming feature on Ladies Who Rock 4 A Cause Music Festival, born from one woman’s hope to turn hardship into hope, an all-female-fronted, purpose-driven music festival featuring many past award-winning performers, with one powerful cause: supporting women in crisis. This year’s LWR4AC takes place Saturday, Sept. 20 at ACX1 Studios at The Pier adjacent from Caesars Casino Hotel. We’ll be interviewing Founder Sharon Lia and performer Mandy Lee (front-person from Quasimodo’s Bride) for the article. Info: ladieswhorock4acause.org.
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.
