Tune In, Turn On
With Doug Deutsch
Time and time again, while talking with bands and solo artists, this subject comes up: Who books this room? Who books this club? How can we get into casino lounges to perform?
To this end, Tune In Turn On has compiled a short list of promoters and people to know if you’re looking to play music at the Jersey Shore (the list is alphabetical) with a short description of each.
Anthony Baker: The premier cover acts booking agency in the Tri-State (PA/NJ/PA), Baker – whose dad was booking agent legend Freddy Baker – has an excellent roster that includes young rockers Fat Mezz, Philly/Jersey legend Mike LeCompt, Earcandy and many others. Baker also drums in the popular Goodman Fiske Band.
Scott Cronick: Scott is part proprietor and booker at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, an important mid-size, non-casino, indoor/outdoor venue in AC’s Orange Loop. Coming off a capacity crowd for a blues gig featuring Billy The Kid and The Regulators recently, TABH has a few cool upcoming gigs, including highly-regarded Allman Brothers Band tribute Live At The Fillmore there Sunday, Oct. 6.
Jon Henderson: If he’s not the best area promoter, Henderson is certainly in the top three. His family-operated Good Time Tricycle Productions company does important local annual events such as the Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival Downbeach Seafood Festival, and more.
John Loreaux: You can’t be playing music in the South Jersey area and not be familiar with Loreaux and his ever-present 35mm camera, as Loreaux is one of the premiere music photographers in the entire region. What many people don’t know is that John (and his lovely wife Cammie) also support local musicians by giving them gigs at his EHT compound (that’s where we first saw up-and-coming blues group Twisted Livin’).
MariBeth: One of the first non-casino promoters we met when moving back to AC in 2022, MariBeth presents some of the coolest, avantgarde events, such as the recent Ghost Town Ship at Anchor Rock Club, most of which involve performances by either eclectic rock/emo groups and/or DJs.
Carmen Marotta: When it comes to promoters of roots/blues/Americana concerts, Marotta is certainly the most high-profile, coming off a superlative 2024 summer season that featured appearances by Samantha Fish, Devon Allman, Phantom Blues Band and so many more. Marotta, along with wife Nancy, present all the big-name Tony Mart-sponsored free shows on the AC Boardwalk and at the Bay Avenue Beach in Somers Point. Coming up Oct. 12, Tony Mart presents John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band at The Claridge Celebrity Theatre.
Greg Mungan: A terrific guy (and former musician) who books the Anchor Rock Club in AC, Mungan is the type of club booker musicians love to deal with. The Anchor has some solid shows coming up, including singer/songwriter Rhett Miller, front-person for alt-country band Old 97s, on Oct. 11.
Dan Mulhern: The brother of jazz guitarist John Mulhern, books acts into the lounges at Hard Rock Casino, Borgata, and Golden Nugget.
Tina Notaro: Her Noetrope company puts on such groovy regular events as New Moon Night Market & Dance Party. Notaro is also active with many high-profile community events in Atlantic City.
Near Dark Entertainment: Owned and operated by Jason Goldfarb, Near Dark books all of Caesars Entertainment’s properties and casino lounges (i.e. Caesars, Wild West, Bally’s, Tropicana and Harrah’s).
Lou Reichert: One of the more colorful characters we’ve come in contact with, Reichert runs and books the Lizzie Rose Music Room in Tuckerton, perhaps the most vital non-casino live music venue in all of southern New Jersey. This Sunday, Sept. 29, blues artist Katie Henry plays Lizzie Rose.
Jerry Ryan: Ah, Jerry…another character in a business full of them. Ryan is best known for his Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival (and) ETIM Awards, the latter taking place Oct. 18-20 at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall (indoor/outdoor, rain/shine; feature coming in this column soon).
Stephen Weiss: Weiss’ NorStep Productions, with significant other Noranne Thompson, used to book Bourre in AC (which became Cardinal Restaurant), plus Atlantic Palace, Le Grand Fromage, The Boneyard, and others venues. He has recently turned his attention to 420-themed events with music.
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.
