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What is Beyond Asbury? Here's the scoop...

By Gary Wien

originally published: 10/16/2008


Sent from the Asbury Music Awards Committee

When the Asbury Music Awards first started back in 1993, the goal was to acknowledge local artists and highlight the importance of the local music scene. The original idea was to keep the spotlight on new and emerging artists with the idea that artists who have been part of the awards for five or more years would be moving on to bigger things. This process would enable new artists to emerge and keep the scene as vibrant as ever. Beyond Asbury is a new segment of the Asbury Music Awards where we pay respect to artists that find themselves beyond the local area; they may be artists who have already achieved great success in the Asbury Music Awards and are no longer nominees or artists who find themselves playing more shows out of state or around the world rather than in local clubs.

We are honored to say that these artists launched their careers as part of the local music scene and will always remain linked to Asbury Park, and we are proud to acknowledge them here.

HERE ARE THE ARTISTS
2007: Nicole Atkins, Juggling Suns, Blue Highways, De Sol, The Parlor Mob, Atomic Bitchwax, Val Emmich, Friends of Bill Wilson, The Youth Ahead, Burlap To Cashmere, Steven Delopoulos, Josh Zandman, Matt Witte, Anon, Billy Hector, Barry & The Penetrators, Predator Dub Assassins, Jody Joseph & The Average Joes, Phil Benson, Rick Barry, Sarah Tomek, Tom Brislin, Frankenstein 3000, Tommy Anton, Jazzlamic Jihad, Ropetree, Kris Oehme, Bobby Strange, Jessie Poland, Agency.

2008: April Smith & The Great Picture Show, Keith Monacchio, The Gay Blades, Christine Martucci Band, Matt O?Ree Band, Allie Moss, Woodfish, Frank Bressi & The Chilling Details, Stringbean & The Stalkers, Wellbaby, Random Test, Eric Ginsburg, Boccigalupe & The Badboys, Mike Rocket, Hub City Stompers, Jon Caspi, James Dalton, Janey Todd, Sonny Kenn Band, The Tonemasters, BBQ Bob & The Spareribs, Terraplane Blues Band, Steve Kalorin, Clark Westfield, Bob Burger, Christian Beach, Goldenseal, Dan Mulvey, Puppy Mills.

Beyond Asbury Legends
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band,Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny & Asbury Jukes, John Eddie, Bobby Bandiera, Glen Burtnik



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About the author:

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. His personal website is at lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at [email protected].


EVENT PREVIEWS

(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan

New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan's Marie Rader Series Debut with "Life & Liberty" on July 22nd

(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- The Marie Rader Series will launch its 2026-27 season, entitled "Life & Liberty," with the New Jersey Symphony's Rowan University debut. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players featuring Rowan University Strings Faculty & Alumni will perform at Pfleeger Concert Hall. Showtime is 7:00pm.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green

The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July

Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July

(NEWARK, NJ) -- One of the biggest bands in the world, Shinedown, will be releasing their brand new studio album EI8HT on May 29, 2026 (via Atlantic Records) and released the new song "Outlaw." In addition, they announced their massive Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, taking the band to 11 countries across 54 dates, including local stops at Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, July 21st and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 23rd.

Middletown Arts Center presents Reina Williams + The Remedy

(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents a concert featuring Reina Williams + The Remedy on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Special guest performers Renee Maskin and Patrick Bamburak will open the show. Enjoy an evening of original music spanning reggae, hip-hop, soul, folk, Americana, and indie rock from some of New Jersey's most talented musicians. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Harmonium Choral Society presents "I Dreamed Last Night" on July 23rd

Harmonium Choral Society presents "I Dreamed Last Night" on July 23rd

(MADISON, NJ) -- On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Harmonium Choral Society presents I Dreamed Last Night. Directed by Lennie Watts with music direction by John Fischer, I Dreamed Last Night is a one woman show with Gloria Bangiola. There are songs and stories about dreams, hopes, wishes, ambitions, fantasies, nightmares, impossibilities and that big ol' American one we are all still working to make real. Showtime is 7:00pm.
HOT 97

HOT 97's Summer Jam 2026 to Take Place July 24th at Prudential Center

(NEWARK, NJ) -- HOT 97, New York's #1 station for Hip Hop, is once again bringing the culture's biggest night back to the tri-state area with Summer Jam 2026, on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective, Summer Jam continues its legacy as the most iconic Hip Hop concert in the world.
Summer Jazz: Drummer Joe Farnsworth and Special Guests at William Paterson

Summer Jazz: Drummer Joe Farnsworth and Special Guests at William Paterson

For more than three decades, Joe Farnsworth has been one of the most admired drummers in modern jazz, revered for his superb technique, driving swing, and unwavering commitment to the jazz tradition. A Massachusetts native mentored by legendary drummers Alan Dawson, Arthur Taylor, and Jimmy Lovelace, Farnsworth has appeared on nearly 400 recordings and performed with an astonishing array of jazz masters, including McCoy Tyner, Benny Golson, Pharoah Sanders, Cedar Walton, Harold Mabern, and Wynton Marsalis. He is also a founding member of the acclaimed hard bop collective, One for All, alongside longtime musical associates tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trombonist Steve Davis, the late trumpeter Jim Rotondi, and pianist David Hazeltine.

Grammy-Winning Superstars Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds to Headline 2026 Gospel Music Festival

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will host its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick (2 Livingston Ave) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This year's star-studded lineup features multi-Grammy-winning performer Erica Campbell—known both for her solo work and as part of the dynamic "Mary Mary" duo—and Billboard chart-topper Jonathan McReynolds as the headliners.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Unlock the Fretboard" Guitar Workshop with Mark Sganga on July 25th

Mahwah Museum Hosts "Unlock the Fretboard" Guitar Workshop with Mark Sganga on July 25th

(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Guitar players of all levels are invited to "Unlock the Fretboard," a hands-on guitar workshop taking place on Saturday, July 25, from 11:00am to 2:00pm, with a short break included, at The Mahwah Museum. The workshop will be taught by Mark Sganga, an International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, bringing expert instruction and high-level musicianship to this special event. Designed to help players better understand the fretboard through a system of caged chords and scales, the workshop offers practical strategies that participants can apply immediately in their playing.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


Blues For Greeny The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Reina Williams and The Remedy, Patrick Bamburak, and Renee Masking

Thursday, July 23, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
Middletown, NJ


Brown Sugar - Rolling Stones Tribute

Friday, July 24, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers

Friday, July 24, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


Jamaican Me Dancehall Night (21+)

Friday, July 24, 2026 @ 9:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ



 

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