(WARETOWN, NJ) -- This year, Albert Music Hall is proudly celebrating its 50th Anniversary!  The very first "Sounds of the Jersey Pines" show was held in November of 1974, and the weekly gathering of local musicians and music enthusiasts has continued ever since.  Every Saturday night, visitors come to the Hall to enjoy a mix of Bluegrass, Country, Folk, Old Timey, Americana and Pinelands music, or to jam in Pickin' Shed.

On August 17, 2024, Albert Music Hall is holding a special extended show to celebrate this milestone. The doors will open at 5:00pm. At 5:45pm there will be opening remarks about the Hall's history. At 6:00pm, the music will start and continue until 10:00pm.

The opening act is Libby Prison Minstrels who will get the audience warmed up with some sing-along traditional American songs.They'll be followed by Fish & Whistle, Billy T Midnight, Elaine & The Cimarron Sky Band, Cranston Dean, and then Redbird & Raven. To close the show Josh Werner & Friends will play a 1 hour set from 9:00pm-10:00pm.

Tickets will be $6 for adults and $1 for kids under 12 (cash only). The snack booth will have kielbasa & kraut, cheeseburgers, and Thumann's hot dogs as well as hot and cold drinks and a wide selection of cakes, cookies, and pies. There will be a 50/50 drawing. The gift booth is stocked with 50th Anniversary mugs, hats, glasses, t-shirts and sweatshirts as well as a variety of CDs, cowboy hats, and interesting gifts. Throughout this year, the Hall is selling tickets for the 50th Anniversary raffle in the foyer to be drawn in December. The first prize is a Gibson Earl Scruggs Banjo with a $4,500 value.  As always, the Pickin' Shed will be open throughout the show and is now air conditioned. Musicians can bring an instrument and jam.

Albert Music Hall is located at 131 Wells Mills Road in Waretown, New Jersey. It is run by the Pinelands Cultural & Historical Preservation Society (PCS), an all-volunteer, non-profit historical society dedicated to the preservation of the Pinelands Cultural Heritage. Since 1974, visitors and musicians have gathered at the hall for live Bluegrass, Country, Folk, Americana, Old Timey & Pinelands Music and to jam in the Pickin' Shed every Saturday night. See our Event Schedule for upcoming events.