(BELMAR, NJ) -- "Are you going to write about the show?" I was asked at the Belmar Arts Center. To be honest, I hadn’t gone to the show planning to write about it. The show was billed as "Tony Tedesco & Friends" and featured Tony with Keith Monacchio and Lou Montesano - three guys you might have been able to see each week at The Saint 20 years ago.
Then it hit me… not only have I known these three guys for over 20 years, but the local music scene has changed so much that a show like this might be rare these days. I know I don’t go out very often at all these days, but the live scene definitely took a major hit when the Brighton Bar in Long Branch and The Saint in Asbury Park closed. Those two clubs were instrumental for decades in giving artists a stage and a chance to open for national acts. And, for many of us, they were a big part of our lives.
I learned how special The Saint was for me once it became harder and harder for me to make it out to shows. That place was “Cheers” with live music for me. There were always a bunch of regulars (music fans, writers, fellow musicians and industry folk) who you’d see each night of the week. My favorite night was always Tuesday. That was when you could see excellent touring bands from outside the area getting their “test run” at The Saint. If they impressed Scott Stamper (the club owner) with their talent or audience, they’d likely be asked back on a different night. As their following grew, they would move closer and closer to the prime Friday/Saturday night gigs.
In Belmar, the three musicians took turns performing a song and then moving to the next. Many times, one artist would accompany the person singing by adding another layer of guitar work or a solo. It was nice to see guys who have known each other for decades playing off each other’s music. Our lives may have all changed over the decades, but live music has a way of feeling like a time machine.
I’m not sure how many times I’ve seen Tony, Keith, and Lou at The Saint, but it’s a pretty high number. When I first saw Tony, he was much more of a poet than a singer-songwriter. I probably saw him at a half dozen poetry shows before I ever saw him play music. His set included a couple of cuts from his Full Fathom 5 band - “Virginia” and “Flag That Diesel Down”. It had been years since I’ve heard them performed on stage.
Lou Montesano has had a bunch of local bands over the years, but he’s probably best known for Status Green. I’ve never asked him how close they were to getting a record deal - or if they wanted one - but they’ll always be one of the bands I can’t believe didn’t break nationally. They had such a following at one point that I remember them filling the Saint under a false name. It was a spur of the minute show that sold out within two or three days notice. That kind of thing just doesn’t happen often. Lou’s set had some of his newer work, some from his former band, The Morgan Freemasons, and included one of my favorite songs by Status Green - “Everybody Loves You”. That band has a special 20th anniversary reunion show coming up at The Stone Pony on Friday, November 28, 2025. Should be a great night. Tickets are available here.
Keith Monacchio is simply one of my favorite songwriters in the state. He led the great Trenton band, The Commons, for many years before going solo and releasing some of the best solo albums in my collection. He chose to do a set of completely new works in Belmar. That’s the kind of show we used to see at The Saint, but rarely anywhere else. There were two highlights for me - his wonderful song “Cheap Seats” and the finale of the night which he performed with his son, Jacob.
In addition to Jacob, Keith’s wife Sheli (who is also a great artist) and Tony’s old bandmate Gorgo Beach were in the audience. As for the person who asked the initial question, that would be the local legend, Gregory Schwartz. The former Asbury Park poet laureate bounced some spoken word back at the stage during one of Tony’s songs.
It was nice to get out and see live music again. There are still a ton of places to see live music these days along the Jersey Shore. In fact, there’s more places with live music in Asbury Park each day than at any time in my life, but The Saint was special. It was more than a club - it was home to a community. The Belmar Arts Center gave me a chance to experience that community again and I’m glad I took it. Who says time travel isn't real?
