Makin Waves with Jerry Ryan: Talkin’ Elephants, Rockin’ Autism

by Bob Makin - published 2021-07-23

South Jersey indie rock impresario Jerry Ryan has been a tsunami of Makin Waves for more than a decade, and for that, he won the 2020 Makin Waves Tsunami Award for being the year’s biggest behind-the-scenes mover and shaker. Refusing to be stopped by the goddamn pandemic, Jerry kept on keepin’ on by raising more than $21,000 with virtual versions of his annual Elephants for Autism Festival. Inspired by raising his autistic son, Jeremy, as a single parent, the festival supports the families of children and young adults with autism. 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Drift Away" by Tom Kanach Band

Tom Kanach Band includes Pete Wood, Tom Kanach, Steve Buzbee, and Joe Rowley. They will return to Asbury on Aug. 14 at The Saint to play “Welcome Home Matt Pinfield,” a long-awaited homecoming for the East Brunswick music industry icon.

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...7/22/21

"Whole Nother World," it's eight tracks and it came out on May 28 and it hit number one on roots charts for soul/blues album, it hit number two on International Broadcasters in the UK so there was a lot that has happened and it's not just me it's the whole project. The musicians are just experts in what they do and the sound engineer; the recording was done in Baton Rouge but he resides in my area and the guy has elephant ears (laughs) and that really was the end point, the mastering was incredible."

"And the Seasons, They Go Round and Round." Emily Grove’s Tribute to Joni Mitchell LIVE! at the Hunterdon County Library

Following a year in which many concerts were cancelled or postponed, music lovers packing lawn chairs and blankets are making their way onto the lawn of the Hunterdon County Library in Flemington, NJ this Tuesday, July 13, 2021. They’re all here to enjoy a live Joni Mitchell tribute performance by NJ singer/songwriter Emily Grove.

"Restored, Refreshed, Renewed in Spirit." The Solisti Ensemble LIVE! at Ocean Grove's Great Auditorium

Following a year in which most concerts were cancelled or postponed, music lovers are currently streaming into Ocean Grove, NJ’s Great Auditorium this Thursday, July 8, 2021 evening for a live performance by one of classical music’s most distinguished string ensembles, The Solisti Ensemble.

“Still Wanderin’!” Spotlight on The Del-Satins’ Stan Zizka

Stan Zizka is the lead singer of The Del-Satins, a doo-wop group founded in the late-1950s. In addition to their 1962 regional hit, “Teardrops Follow Me,” Zizka and the Del-Satins made rock ’n roll history by singing backup on many of Dion’s greatest hits including “Runaround Sue,” “Ruby Baby,” and “The Wanderer.”

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Lay It on the Line" by Ferocious Designs

Ferocious Designs, the project of Central Jersey-based singer-songwriter Brian Kelley, pictured, has dropped a video for the anthemic Peter Gabriel-like call to social justice, “Lay It on the Line,” in anticipation of a just-released five-song debut EP.

A Look At Hopewell Theater's Fall 2021 Lineup

(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Hopewell Theater will reopen with a slate of indie films and live performances from a variety of emerging and established artists presenting music, comedy, theater, and improv. On September 10th - the theatre’s four-year anniversary - the theater’s first show will be a celebratory performance by Hopewell-born rock singer-songwriter Daniella Cotton, alongside guitarist Matt Beck and drummer Aaron Comess. The event includes a pre-show party, complete with gifts and prizes.

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...7/15/21

"That's just the name of the band, the last time we existed we were 19 years old and it was just sort of a goofy name. There's no huge meaning; we were walking down the street on Telegraph Avenue and noticing people chattering in our group about this thing and that thing with a Jenny and a second Jenny and a third Jenny; the name just kept coming up so we just sort of thought that was cute but now we're not particularly attached to it, it's just what you call us."

Marc Ribler Talks About His New Record, The Pandemic, and Little Steven

“It’s kind of a magical experience, you never know what the Muse has in store for the day,” explained singer-songwriter Marc Ribler.  “Some songs just feel like absolute gifts.  It’s almost like the words and melody are delivered.”