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LATEST NEWS

Wharton Arts Launches 2026–27 Season Under New President & CEO Carol Chickering Burden

(BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ) -- Wharton Arts, a leading provider of community music and creative youth development in New Jersey, has launched its 2026–27 Fall/Winter season under the leadership of new President & CEO Carol Chickering Burden.

 
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Jon Caspi Just Released His First Solo Album in 17 years

Jon Caspi released his first solo album in 17 years on October 2, 2026 - a 5-song EP called eons of evolution. It is available on all streaming platforms. The New Jersey-based singer-songwriter, and frontman for the well-known heartland rock, indie, punk and Americana band, Jon Caspi & The First Gun took a unique approach to this release. This past summer, he recorded the songs in basement studio, where he played all the instruments. Unlike other recordings where each musician makes multiple attempts to lay down seamless or near-perfect track, Caspi says he only used only his first takes.

Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine names Suzanne Vega as Phoebe Jacobs Award Honoree

(NEW YORK, NY) -- The Wonderful World: Friends of Music Therapy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that benefits Mount Sinai's Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine (LACMM), will honor Suzanne Vega, one of the foremost singer-songwriters of her generation, with the 2026 Phoebe Jacobs Award. The Center will present the award at its Wonderful World Gala on October 13 at the Angel Orensanz Center in New York City.

East Brunswick Singer-Songwriter Kathleen Elle Wins Hard Rock Rising Competition at Hard Rock Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Approximately 90 artists entered the Atlantic City competition for of Hard Rock Rising, a new global music competition presented by Hard Rock Cafe and Coca-Cola. Only nine were selected to perform across the local competition rounds. East Brunswick singer-songwriter Kathleen Elle advanced through two nights of live competition before being named the Atlantic City winner on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

Jersey Shore Artist Karen Mansfield Announces New Single and Children's Book

(OCEANPORT, NJ) -- Jersey Shore singer-songwriter, recording artist and author Karen Mansfield will release her new single, "I Only Have Eyes for You," on October 29, 2026, through her independent label, Willow Bella Music. Mansfield is also introducing her children's picture book, Baby's Birthday, inspired by a song that has been sung in her family for generations.


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COLUMNS

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Bummer" by the dt's

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Bummer," the latest single from the Central Jersey band the dt's.



This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from October 6-12, 2026



Makin Waves Song of the Week: "The Only Man to Make It Through the Dance" by Jake Thistle



Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 10/01/2026






 

MORE NEWS


Dirty Deeds - The AC/DC Experience returns to The Newton Theatre on October 24th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Dirty Deeds - The AC/DC Experience returns to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band celebrates the thunderous energy of the Bon Scott and Brian Johnson era delivering a power-packed performance that takes the audience on a journey through the story that is AC/DC.


State Theatre New Jersey presents The Temptations & The Four Tops



The Love of Soul Tour comes to Prudential Center on May 22nd



Wharton Arts Launches 2026–27 Season Under New President & CEO Carol Chickering Burden



Def Leppard, Goo Goo Dolls, and The Struts to play shows in NJ, NYC, and Philly in 2027






 

UPCOMING SHOWS

Lace and Lee Find Their Sound Through Friendship, Storytelling and a Little Bit of Magic

Indie-folk duo Lace and Lee are in the middle of another run supporting Five For Fighting while preparing for the release of their debut EP, Mirror Mirror, due November 27, 2026.


Avenel PAC presents Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill



BlowUpRadio.com's Perennial Benefit Webathon For The Spondylitis Association Of America To Air October 16th-18th



State Theatre New Jersey presents The Temptations & The Four Tops






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