Tune In, Turn On
By Doug Deutsch
Been wanting to do this article for a while now since moving back East and discovering all the talented women making music here at the Jersey Shore and beyond. Meet several of them here, in their own words.
Doreen Taylor: “It’s great to be chatting with you, Doug and thanks for inquiring about everything I’ve been up to since being dubbed “Atlantic City’s Sweetheart” because of my successful one-woman show in the casinos several years ago!
Since those days, I crossed over to mainstream music and released my first solo country-rock album “Magic,” which won coveted “Suggested Artist of the Year” award from the Song of the Year International Songwriting Contest.
I toured the country, selling out every venue from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. My music has been hand-selected by Bose, Sharp Electronics, and home shopping network QVC to promote their products.
I’ve been a Celebrity Advocate for countless charitable causes and was the face for brands like Failte Vodka and Hades Footwear.
My crossover, adult contemporary single “Toy” charted on Billboard’s Hot 100 (in the Top 50), reaching No. 31 on the Adult Contemporary chart after receiving heavy airplay on radio stations nationwide.
In 2016, I was chosen to create and perform a new national anthem in honor of the US National Parks’ Centennial, “Colors Of The USA”. I produced and starred in the Broadway musical “Sincerely Oscar” which had a 52-performance run at Theatre Row on 42nd Street. I’m currently co-host of new weekly talk show, “Take 2! with Doreen And Pete” on Philadelphia’s No. 1 talk radio station, Talk 860 WWDB AM.
Atlantic City really opened great doors for me, and I’m so thankful for the time I spent performing there!” www.doreentsylormusic.com.
Karen Wallo: “Music is my anchor, my joy in life. This was something I realized at age 5.
My first instrument was an organ; playing by ear came naturally. I’ll always remember my choir teacher in seventh grade telling me that I was going to be a professional singer or organist when I grew up. She was right!
I’ve toured the USA and Canada with a national act The Box Tops and lived in Austria, singing with an original band, Mona Lisa.
I’ve sang professionally with countless bands, from rock to wedding/corporate, since age 21. Currently I’m singing in Shore Bet Band (five-piece, classic rock) and Shore Bet Duo. I co-front these bands with a talented male vocalist.
The other thing in my life that brings me as much joy as singing, is my painting. In both my careers as an artist (and) singer/musician, I find myself thinking how blessed I am that I get paid for having this much fun! There is no greater feeling than turning on an entire audience and watching everyone’s troubles melt away.
I tend to spend as much time offstage, working with the crowd, as I do onstage. My Sennheiser wireless microphone was the best gift I ever received, many moons ago.
A CD I recorded in Las Vegas was selling commercially out of Whole Foods Market for a time. Everything I create is dedicated to reducing animal suffering in our world. A passion of mine is saving imperiled wildlife, particularly wolves, wild horses and sea mammals. Currently I’m in the studio recording original material.
My art manager, who’s a phenomenal songwriter, and I are merging my artwork with original songs to bring the viewer deeper into the painting. It’s a unique blend of music and art. We are called “Sisbro.”
The greatest lesson I learned in my life as an artist is to never, ever give up on one’s dreams. Life may throw curve balls, but I choose to press on despite any challenges I have had to face. As long as there’s one person in this world enjoying my songs or my artwork, I have done my job.” https://www.karenwallo-fineart.com.
Destinee Monroe: “I grew up in South Jersey singing and playing music since I was a kid and started a band with my friend and sister at age 12.
We moved to California and got signed to Interscope Records, where we recorded an album that was released in Japan, and did tours in the United States and Europe.
After eight years with the label, we parted ways and I moved back home to New Jersey to basically start my life over, and got hired to work at Hard Rock Casino as a server.
After almost three years there I left and started working on music again. Throughout that time I met Billy Walton and Jimmy Brogan (from popular group the Billy Walton Band). We all had an instant connection and love for music and playing live together, so we formed BMW (Brogan, Monroe, Walton).
I joined the Billy Walton Band in 2022 and traveled overseas, getting to play in front of many new faces, playing original music. Billy (Walton) and I have been writing and recording new music; we just released a new music video for our song, “I Can’t Tell”.
I’m looking forward to going back on a UK tour with the guys this April! We’re going to have one hell of a show for everyone.” https://www.facebook.com/destineeraemonroe
Sarah Holt: “I’ve been playing in bands with my cousin and Johnny Zappas since I was 11 years old at the Jersey Shore, where we’ve met lifelong friends and collaborators in Andrew Simpson and Michael Auble. They’ve helped me remember music is about having fun and creating, even when it can feel like a Sisyphean struggle or a laborious 9 to 5 job sometimes.
Music is work, and I think my music is also a never-ending journey to figure out what I’m about.
It’s always been about poppy melodies and storytelling. Lately it’s been about deterring fuzz, having fun and loving what I do and who I do it with.
In the future I hope it shape shifts and grows even more.” (Sarah is front-person/vocalist/guitarist for popular local band Molly Ringworm and also deejays on WLFR 91.7FM). https://www.facebook.com/sarah.holt.777
Jackie Caruso: “I’m a resident of Ventnor, a two-year transplant from Philadelphia.
One of the best decisions of my life was moving to this magical town full of wonderful folks. I started singing publicly recently, taking a shift from behind the scenes to center stage.
I was one of two of the first female live sound engineers in Philadelphia. I used to book and promote original bands in Philadelphia and surrounding areas.
Music has been a huge part of my life for many years. I hope to be part of fueling a cool new Ventnor music scene and work on more events, eventually writing and performing with a full band doing originals.
I must have music in my life, always! I also make custom seashell art and do beach photography which I share via @ventnorvision on Twitter and Instagram. https://www.facebook.com/missventnor?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Angela Burton: “I sing R&B, jazz, oldies, Motown and Top 40. I have sung in 25 counties overseas for our troops. I sang at the Club Harlem (onetime nightclub on Kentucky Avenue in Atlantic City founded in 1935 by Leroy “Pop” Williams, the city’s premier club for black jazz performers and national acts for many years). I opened for all of the headliners there.
I got to sing last year at Caesars Casino, opening for Bloodstone, Russell Thomson, and The Stylistics, for legendary Blue Notes Platinum Productions. I’m giving away free rain boots for children March 31, at the Atlantic City Police Athletic League, from 5 to 6 p.m. in their auditorium.
Donations can be sent in c/o Angela Burton, make checks payable to Creative Multi Media CCM, PO Box 1678, Atlantic City, NJ 08404.
I’ll be performing at Wilson’s Restaurant in Hi-Nella New Jersey on April 1.” https://www.angelaburtonandpassion777.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.
