(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will put the spotlight on original music on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, with a special edition of its Songwriters in the Pines series featuring six singer-songwriters in a Nashville-style writers' round format. Music begins at 7:00pm.
Rather than performing individual sets, the songwriters will take the stage in two groups of three, taking turns sharing original songs and the stories behind them. The stripped-down format gives audiences an opportunity to hear not only the songs themselves, but also about the experiences, ideas and stories that inspired them.
The first writers’ round features Ryan Gregg, Redbird and Cranston Dean, followed by a second round with Amanda Penecale, Rick Fink and Arlan Feiles. Together, the six artists bring a wide range of songwriting voices, musical styles and influences to the Albert Music Hall stage.
The Songwriters in the Pines series was revived in 2024 after a 20-year hiatus and has quickly become an important part of the Hall’s programming. Each show brings together a different lineup of regional songwriters performing their own material, as part of Albert Music Hall’s ongoing effort to support original music and songwriting in the region.
The August 26 show marks a new format for the series. By bringing the performers together in writers’ rounds, the Hall hopes to create a more intimate listening experience and give audiences a closer look at the craft and stories behind the songs.
There is no set admission fee for the event, but donations are welcome. Doors open at 6:00pm and music begins at 7:00pm. Albert Music Hall is cash only. The Gift Booth and Snack Booth will be open, with cakes, cookies, ice cream, snacks, and hot and cold beverages available. There will be no hot food served at this event.
About the songwriters:
Ryan Gregg is an Asbury Park-based singer-songwriter and pianist whose music blends American roots, blues, soul, jazz and rock influences. A longtime presence in the Jersey Shore music scene, he performs both solo and with several bands including the Ocean Avenue Stompers. He released his six-song debut solo EP, Hustling in Place, in 2024.
Redbird is a Jersey Shore-based singer-songwriter blending rock, folk, blues, and Americana with a raspy, soulful voice and heartfelt storytelling. Her songs are honest, personal, and rooted in the people and places around her. Recently nominated for an Asbury Music Award, Redbird brings a raw, authentic energy to every performance.
Cranston Dean is a New Jersey singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose music blends Americana, folk, jazz, country, blues and pop. A longtime presence in the Jersey Shore and Asbury Park music scenes, Dean is an award-winning performer and a graduate of Philadelphia’s University of the Arts, where he studied jazz piano. His songwriting combines storytelling with a wide range of American roots influences.
Amanda Penecale is a Pennsylvania-born singer-songwriter based along the New Jersey Shore whose folk-country sound and vivid storytelling have earned her a growing following throughout the Northeast and on independent radio stations. Blending lyricism with vulnerability and grit, her songs draw from lived stories and her years in Nashville exploring the songwriting tradition. She remains rooted in the landscapes and people that shaped her and also enjoys a joyful career as an art teacher.
Rick Fink is a singer-songwriter and storyteller whose music combines Americana and Folk with Beatlesque melodies and a touch of Punk attitude. A founding member and primary singer-songwriter of the Gas House Gorillas, Fink now performs as a solo artist, bringing distinctive vocals, humor and a wealth of original songs to the stage. His latest EP, Welcome to the World, is available on Bandcamp.
Arlan Feiles is an award-winning New Jersey singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music producer who was mentored early in his career by legendary producer Tom Dowd. His sixth album, Diaspora, was released in 2025 and followed by a European tour. His music can be heard in many TV programs and movies, including the trailer for the Academy award winning film The Dallas Buyers Club. Feiles has also recently written music for the New Jersey theatrical production The Devil and Daisy Dirt.
Albert Music Hall, located at 131 Wells Mills Road in Waretown, New Jersey, is operated by the Pinelands Cultural & Historical Preservation Society (PCS), an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the music, history and cultural heritage of New Jersey’s Pinelands. The Hall presents live music throughout the year, including its longstanding Saturday night shows and a variety of special events. The venue offers free parking and is wheelchair accessible.
