By Bob Makin
originally published: 07/04/2025
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Golden Cage,” the latest single from Cranston Dean. PHOTO BY TYLER HARRISON
Imagine a world where the immigrant is the hero rather than the villain.
Jersey Shore singer-songwriter legend Cranston Dean has with his new single, “Golden Cage,” the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Golden Cage” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on July 4 on “Radio Jersey at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.
“I wrote this song while working building a house from the ground up,” Cranston said. “I worked under a man who immigrated here to America who taught me many things, became a great friend, and is someone who I trust with my life.
“One day, the plumbing crew — and boy, did they do more yappin' than working — was being particularly rude and prejudiced to my friend. It struck me as disappointing that a man who loves this country and who was working circles around everyone was getting ridiculed by these two fools that were just born here by stroke of luck. So, I sat with my guitar that night and wrote this for all the people who have come here and made a good honest go of it. In my America, the immigrant is the hero, not the villain.”
A multi-instrumentalist, Cranston plays all the tracks except the electric guitar by Lee Ferejohn. “Golden Cage” was recorded by Michael Young, mixed by Pat Noon and mastered by Alan Douches.
Hear the song live when Cranston plays July 4, Triumph Brewing, New Hope; July 5, Fox Hollow Winery, Holmdel; July 11, Low Dive, Asbury Park; July 12, Channel Club Pool, Monmouth Beach; July 13, Tiki Boat, Toms River, and then Proving Grounds, Highlands, where he’ll also play July 19; July 15, The Sandbox, also Highlands; July 17, The Seafarer, again Highlands, and July 31, Tiki Boat, Brick.
Cranston also will play with Patty C & the Pints on July 10 at 90.5 the Night’s Songwriters on the Beach and July 26 at Gaslight in his hometown of Atlantic Highlands and with Jackson Pines on July 27 at Monmouth County Fair in Freehold. Cranston is the drummer in both bands.
He’s also part of the crew of Radio Garden State. You can hear a whole bunch of Jersey jams on Cranston’s show 6-8 pm Wednesdays at https://www.radiogardenstate.com and WFKU 96.9, as well as live from The Chubby Pickle in Highlands on first and third Mondays.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
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FEATURED EVENTS
