Tune In Turn On
By Doug Deutsch
A Sure Sign of Spring, Betsy’s Backyard Shows Resume:
Local blues enthusiast and erstwhile promoter of great blues music get-togethers, Betsy Lynn Paisley, presented her first show of the season last week featuring terrific touring vocalist Rae Gordon and another very talented area musician, Jeff Caraway, along with a medley of huge, friendly dogs to keep everyone company. A rockin ‘ (the blues) good time was had by all!
Betsy’s next show is this Saturday, April 22 featuring guitarist, Mississippi Mick Kolassa. Some tickets remain; reach out to Betsy here: https://www.facebook.com/betsy.paisley.
420 Festival Features Music, Too!:
Not to be overlooked at the Third Annual 420 Festival this Thursday, April 20, High Noon, at Atlantic City’s Orange Loop Amphitheatre on New York Avenue, presented by NorStep Productions is the music!
One Atlantic City-based band performing is called Ill Rendition, who 420 Festival showrunner/promoter Stephen Weiss says “has a ska-punk feel that mixes the sounds of multiple genres to form a unique Atlantic City experience.”
“We believe in the power of music, the power of putting passion into what you do, and the overall camaraderie of the music scene between all genres of sound where we step foot,” the trio says on its website https://www.illrendition.com/
Check out their cover of Green Day’s “Coming Clean”: https://open.spotify.com/track/67lVE4Eooa9xzWUZZ4jwEB?go=1&sp_cid=4c0e913ffd6d7b21d24068a8cd5e5fbd&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1#login.
Other bands playing 420 Fest: Weir Wolves; Brick Weed; The Record Keeper; a Silent Disco hosted by Deejay Dubl Deez; and emcee/host, local comedian Michelle Tomko. There will also be art displays, games, contests, dancing, food trucks, guest speakers, and those all-important free samples. Info: https://www.facebook.com/norstepproductions.
Ruby The Hatchet at Anchor Rock Club: Another quality Philadelphia-based band making their way to the Shore this weekend is Ruby The Hatchet, a five-piece psychedelic hard rock outfit playing at the Anchor Rock Club this Saturday, April 22.
Check out their 2022 album “Fear Is A Cruel Master” (Magnetic Eye Records). RTH are guitarist Johnny Scarps, drummer Owen Stewart, bassist Mike Parise, keyboardist Sean Hur, and vocalist Jillian Taylor.
To date the band has released three studio albums, a handful of Eps, and have toured throughout North America and Europe. Nice sound. Info: http://rubythehatchet.com/; www.anchorrockclub.com.
Tears For Fears to Play AC:
One of the more melodic pop groups to emerge from the 1980s that are still going strong is Tears For Fears, who pay a visit to the Etess Arena at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Friday, June 23.
Roland Orzabel and Curt Smith, the longtime duo that comprise TFF, met in their teens and were first called Graduate before renaming themselves Tears For Fears.
They’re responsible for some of the most enduring songs from that era that still hold up today, including “Sowing The Seeds of Love,” “Mad World,” “Shout,” “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” “Head Over Heels,” and more.
In 2022 they released their first new album in 20 years, “The Tipping Point.” Info: www.tearsforfears.com; https://www.hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com/hotel-and-casino.
Tony Marts/Somers Point Concerts A Go: Carmen and Nancy Marotta have quite a lineup of blues and roots-themed shows scheduled for the 30th Anniversary Somers Point Beach Concert Series, beginning with blues-soul crooner Curtis Salgado on June 16.
Known as “the man who taught the blues to the Blues Brothers,” Salgado won “Soul Male Blues Artist of the Year” at the 43rd Blues Music Awards in Memphis.
Salgado’s most recent release is “Damage Control” (Alligator Records). The shows run 7-10 p.m. and take place at Bay and Higbee Aves. Info: https://somerspointbeachconcerts.com; https://www.curtissalgado.com/
Band of The Week, Pan Gravy:
This Shore-based quartet cleverly describes their sound as a “New Grass, Blue Grass, Americana, Country, Folk group.” Band members Peter Hagen (bass, vocals), Frank Cerreto (guitar, vocals), Rodger Jackson (guitar, mandolin, concertina, vocals) and Sharon Garland (vocals) have built up a nice following, with regular gigs at the Shore at venues including Jessie Creek Winery in Cape May Court House.
They’ll perform at “Run For The Roses,” a viewing party/fundraiser for the 149th Kentucky Derby, presented by South Jersey Gas, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6 ET, at Hearts Therapeutic Riding Center in Egg Harbor Township. Hagen also performs with the Stockton University Faculty Band, singer/songwriter Bob Andrews, and others.
For additional info on Pan Gravy, visit https://www.facebook.com/pangravymusic; https://www.heartstrc.org/