New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Golden Cage" by Cranston Dean

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.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



“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].




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



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.


EVENT PREVIEWS

(CARTERET, NJ) -- The Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. The legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock band began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the "Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack".

Outpost in the Burbs Presents Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips in Benefit Concert for Toni's Kitchen on November 21st

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs will present an extraordinary evening of music featuring singer-songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. The special concert will serve as a fundraiser in support of Toni's Kitchen, the Montclair based nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity and related challenges in Essex County and beyond. Showtime is 8:00pm.
 

FEATURED EVENTS



Choir! Choir! Choir! Hallelujah”: An EPIC Anthems Sing-Along!

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Outpost In The Burbs
40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ


Always Jovi with special guest, Shot of Poison

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ


Margarita Rovenskaya, piano

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Grunin Center - Bösendorfer Recital Room
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 8:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ


The Chris Pinnella Big Band Project

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


Shemekia Copeland with special guest JB Barnes Blues Band

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ