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.
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.
Join us for McCarter at the Museum - renowned performing artists in one-night only events at the Princeton University Art Museum.
Jason Robert Brown is a four-time Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World, 13, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon In Vegas and The Connector, has performed as a soloist or with his band in venues around the world, including sold-out shows at the London Palladium and Carnegie Hall. His albums as a singer-songwriter include Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes and How We React and How We Recover on Ghostlight, and Coming From Inside the House and Live In Concert with Stephen Sondheim on Concord.
With Special Guest Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe. Tony Award-nominated actress Betsy Wolfe is currently starring as Audrey in the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, following her recent Broadway run as Madeline Ashton in the hit musical Death Becomes Her. She previously originated the title role in Joy, the new musical inspired by inventor Joy Mangano, and earned a 2023 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her celebrated performance as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet. Other Broadway credits include starring as Jenna in Waitress, Cordelia in the acclaimed revival of Falsettos, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Everyday Rapture, and 110 in the Shade, as well as her critically acclaimed performance as Cathy in the Off-Broadway revival of The Last Five Years. Wolfe made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Die Fledermaus and has appeared as a guest artist with more than 65 symphony, pops, and philharmonic orchestras worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra, with performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her screen credits include First One In, Estella Scrooge, CBS’s Instinct, and the film adaptation of The Last Five Years. Wolfe is also the co-founder of BroadwayEvolved, the acclaimed musical theatre training program she launched in 2018 to train and mentor the next generation of theatre artists.
A limited number of early access tickets for McCarter Director’s Circle members and members of the Museum’s Partner Circle are available, on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM. General public on sale begins Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Please be aware there is no public drop-off or parking at the Museum. For visitors with mobility needs, please contact the Museum at least three business days in advance of your visit to request special access to the Museum via Elm Drive. Call 609-258-3788 and select option 1 to speak to a visitor services staff member, or email Louise Barrett at [email protected].
