Tune In, Turn On
By Doug Deutsch
Southern rock and The Allman Brothers Band have always been popular here at the Jersey Shore, going all the way back to 1971 when The Allman Brothers Band first played the Steel Pier. Subsequent ABB Atlantic City shows include at Trump Taj Mahal (now Hard Rock) in 2000, the now-closed Hilton Casino Hotel in 2003, the Borgata in 2005, and the House of Blues in 2006.
Additionally, the Gregg Allman Band performed at Borgata in 2015, and the Allman Betts Band on the Ocean City Music Pier in 2019.
On a personal note, we were thrilled to learn that Devon Allman, pictured here, will be returning to Atlantic City Aug. 7 as part of the Mardi Gras in AC Summer Concert Series, presented by promoters Carmen and Nancy Marotta on the Atlantic City Boardwalk at Kennedy Plaza.
“I can’t wait to get back to Atlantic City and rock out in the Garden State. Always a good time,” Allman told us by email.
A son of the late Gregg Allman, Devon has enjoyed a successful career on his own performing with Duane Betts, son of ABB longtime guitarist Dickey Betts.
“There is no better ‘poster child’ for the roots-rock legacy of today’s jammin’ blues rocking music than Devon Allman, who does it all,” said Carmen Marotta, who has a long history of booking and working with Southern, New Orleans-flavored acts.
“He is a great writer, arranger, guitarist, singer and performer. His presence at a free show on the Boardwalk is the quintessence of what we call ‘incredibly great and amazingly free’ concerts every Wednesday night, June 26 through September 4, at Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City,” Marotta said.
In my daytime job as a music publicist, I’ve worked as part of the publicity team for the Allman Betts Family Revival Tour for the last few years, as well as for the Duane Betts tour last summer. Additionally, I was tour publicist for the late ABB founding member and drummer, Butch Trucks, and have continued working with Butch’s daughter, Melody Trucks, for many years now. My Allman Brothers roots run deep indeed.
(P.S. A Brothers Revival, an ABB tribute featuring one-time ABB bassist David Goldflies, another ex-client, plays at Tropicana Casino-Hotel on May 25).
Other Allman Brothers Band-related shows coming to our South Jersey area include a performance by Michael Allman, also a son of Gregg Allman, at the Lizzie Rose Music Room in Tuckerton on May 4. There will be two shows including a 3 p.m. matinee.
Peach At The Beach, an ABB-themed festival-style event, will take place at the brand new Summer Concert Stage in front of Showboat’s Island Waterpark in Atlantic City on July 13. Headlined by Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, also performing will be Dogs In A Pile, Trouble No More (performing the ABB’s classic album “Eat A Peach” in its entirety), Karina Rykman, Mykal Rose (from the longtime reggae group Black Uhuru), plus DJ sets and Bourbon Ballroom pre-concert and after-concert parties.
This Saturday, March 9, we’ve been graciously invited by Carmen and Nancy Marotta to appear on their “Tony Mart’s Presents” radio show, heard over WPG 1450 AM, 95.5 FM and www.tonymarts.com. We will discuss all sorts of things related to music, including the excellent upcoming schedule of concerts he’s booked for the 2024 summer season at both Kennedy Plaza in Atlantic City, and Somers Point by the bay. The latter shows happen every Friday night all summer beginning at 7 p.m. Both concert series are always free and loads of fun!
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.
