Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Home in Your Heart" by Gary Shaffer

by Bob Makin

originally published: 09/11/2026

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Home in Your Heart,” the latest single from veteran Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Gary Shaffer. PHOTO BY GARY SHAFFER

Veteran Jersey Shore scenester Gary Shaffer has released his first single in two years, but it’s also his fifth in as many years.

“Home in Your Heart” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

The song’s Americana folk vibe was written after Gary discovered an old banjo while rummaging through his attic.

“My dad bought the banjo and I totally forgot I even had it,” he said. “My dad wasn’t a musician, but he was musical. He bought the banjo on a whim and taught himself to play it.”

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While strumming the newly found instrument, Shaffer came upon a musical phrase that turned into the foundation for “Home In Your Heart.” Lyrically, he was inspired by holding the same banjo his late father once held.

“It felt like home,” said Gary, who recorded the song at Shaffer Sound, his Point Pleasant studio.

He sang all the vocals and played all the instruments except the pedal steel of Reggie Duncan.

Gary has been a staple of the local music scene for decades.

During his alternative rock days, he played bass and sang with such popular bands as The Pinch, whose song “Meeting You” — penned by him — hit No. 2 on local radio, and Safe As Houses, who found college radio success with Gary’s songs “Movement As a Clock” and “The Moon Belongs to Rachel.” His song “Three Days Since Monday” was featured at the ASCAP New Music Seminar.

Currently, Gary is the bass player and singer for The Snakes, who specialize in Irish folk and rock music. It was his exposure to traditional Irish music that rekindled his love of American folk and country music, which is now the focus of his solo songwriting and recording.

His song “I’ve Burned My Boats” was named to the Nashville Songwriters Association Top 40 list in honor of famed country DJ Bob Kingsley. His retro country tune “Good Man On a Bad Streak” appeared in the 2025 film “The Dogs,” which streams on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. His original music for TV and film is represented by several production music libraries in the US and UK. His songs have appeared in the US, Canada, France, Hungary and elsewhere around the globe.

Gary will perform solo at two upcoming private events on Sept. 11 at Spring Lake Golf Club and Sept. 17 at Spring Lake Bath & Tennis. With The Snakes, he’ll perform Sept. 18 at Freehold’s Halfway to St. Pats event; Sept. 19 and Oct. 17, St. Stephen's Green, Spring Lake; Sept. 20, Woody's Roadside Tavern, Farmingdale; Sept. 23, PatioPalooza, Patio Bar, Point Pleasant Beach; Sept. 27, Crab's Claw Inn, Lavallette, and Oct. 3, New Brunswick Heritage Festival.

Stream “Home in Your Heart” on Apple Music and Spotify.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram and contact Bob at [email protected].

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.