New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

Asbury Musicians Get Organized


By Gary Wien

originally published: 10/17/2008


(OCTOBER 15, 2008) -- It isn't always easy to get people involved in causes, but the reason for a meeting held at the Hot Dog House on October 15th struck a chord with many local musicians. The gathering was the result of an email thread started by Dr. Geena regarding a noise complaint filed by a neighbor that led to several hours in court mediation. It was there that she realized she wasn't the only target and this was a problem that affects all of the local musicians.

Over 15 musicians from the area gathered to discuss a wide range of topics from the recent rise in noise complaints and fliers posted around town to the emergence of Live Nation and what that means to the local music community. At times, there appeared to be too many issues being brought up, but the conversation eventually settled down and evolved into the idea of creating an organization for the local musicians in the area.

"We need representation for ourselves," said Dr. Geena. "We can't keep fighting our own little battles. We need one voice."

Asbury Park musicians are in a rather tight spot here. For years (decades even), music was the only thing other than drugs to bring people into town. You could even go as far as say that music actually kept the town on the map until the redevelopment really took hold. Now that progress is being made, the music community is being threatened in the same way that gentrification always seems to push artists out of areas which the artists themselves helped make desirable. One of the biggest problems is that Asbury Park's idea of creating an entertainment district has yet to emerge. Between the lack of an entertainment district and the emergence of Live Nation, it's becoming harder and harder on local musicians and forcing them to play in venues where sound levels becomes a problem with local residents.

Both Madison Marquette and Live Nation are thought to be good for Asbury Park by many; however, neither seems to do much for the local artists. Is it really too much to ask for Live Nation to include at least one local artist on their big shows? The town is still being marketed for its music history, but nothing much is being done by the powers that be to further the current music scene. This is an area that still has an abundance of talented musicians, but not many places where they can build up a good following - especially when one company runs the Stone Pony, Wonder Bar, Convention Hall, and Paramount Theatre (in other words, the major venues in town).

The problems for local musicians increase when you look at the Cookman Avenue situation. There are a few venues on the street - a nice mix of coffeehouse cafes and bars - but also a mix of residential and commercial. I still recall the city council meetings of a few years back when people repeated over and over about how difficult it is to have commercial/entertainment and residential live alongside each other as neighbors. Those words are certainly ringing true today. While it is hard to sympathize with people now moving into Cookman Ave apartments or condos (with the clubs and cafes already established as having live music) an argument can easily be made for those who purchased condos BEFORE Cookman Ave became a live music area. They were not aware of any possible sound problems in areas such as above the Brickwall - an area that has run into problems with tenants above. One such incident occured during the Wave Gathering on a Friday night at 8pm. This is why there needs to be some give and take between the musicians, businesses, and residents. Nobody should be complaining about noise violations on a Friday night during the summer while it is still the dinner rush for restaurants. I imagine the problems that day started long before and were never settled. Nevertheless, that forced the musicians to play acoustic during a music festival that attracted many to town and brought much revenue to local businesses.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



So, what to do?

Well, I think the idea of musicians organizing is a very good one. The local musicians already offer a lot to the town from performances on First Night, attracting people to Asbury Park on a regular basis, and even the money they themselves bring to the bars and restaurants. What they need to do is show the businesses how important they are to the success of Asbury Park. An organization can help do that.

An important first step would be to look for guidance from ArtsCap, a local arts organization that already has made good inroads with the town and local businesses. The organization has never really been utilized well with the local mainstream music scene, but has a good reputation in the area. There should be some synergy or even a possible partnership to find there.

The musicians agreed to meet again on Wednesday, November 5th. That meeting will again be held in Room 10 of the Hot Dog House. It is open to all local musicians or music fans.


Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station The Penguin Rocks. He can be contacted at gary@newjerseystage.com.



Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage


FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Straight

Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90’s Part 2

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Frisson

Frisson Winds

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Three

Three American Troubadours: A Tribute to James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Carole King

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Motor

Motor City Revue

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: music


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info





 

EVENT PREVIEWS

All-Bluegrass,

All-Bluegrass, All Night: Live at Albert Hall on July 12th

​​​​​​​(WARETOWN, NJ) -- On Saturday, July 12, 2025, Albert Music Hall will present an evening dedicated entirely to Bluegrass music. The event begins at 6:00pm and features six live performances, each offering a 30-minute set, showcasing both new and returning acts.



Jazz

Jazz Concert at Trenton City Museum will Feature the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum will present a free jazz concert Friday, July 18, 2025 at the museum's Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park. Featuring world-renowned vibraphonist Joe Baione, the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience is the first group to perform in a series of jazz events leading up to the museum's 2026 TRENTON MAKES JAZZ exhibition, in collaboration with the City of Trenton.



The

The Newton Theatre presents Tonight's the Night - a tribute to Rod Stewart

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Tonight's the Night - a tribute band that celebrates the music of Rod Stewart - will perform at The Newton Theatre on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 8:00pm.



Hoboken's

Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Local events organizer, Geri Fallo, who retired last year, is inviting you to celebrate with her, as she embraces new and exciting endeavors. Come enjoy a free evening of music in Hoboken's Sinatra Park (525 Sinatra Drive) on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The evening is presented by Mayor Ravi Bhalla, The Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs, and Geri Fallo. The event is free, and music starts at 6:30pm. Come early for the best seating.



An

An Interview with Dan Kurtz of The New Deal

Formed in 1999, Toronto, Canada based trio The New Deal, is a pioneer in jam-based electronic music. The group was founded by remaining members Dan Kurtz (bass) and Jamie Shields (keys), along with Darren Shearer (drums) who left tND in 2011. Since its inception, tND has remained committed to its improvisational roots and has served as a model for other jamtronica bands bridging the gap between multiple music genres as well as the border between Canada and the United States.