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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

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 10/16/2026

She has been called a "Natural born performer" but that only scratches the surface of this statuesque entertainer's description possibilities. Perhaps she has been described as a "Natural born performer" due to her past as a touring musical theater artist or a musician or maybe something else but one thing for sure is; she has the wow factor and that she is Erinn Alissa.



This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from October 13-19, 2026



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



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






 

MORE NEWS


SOPAC presents the Blind Boys of Alabama on Thursday

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The Blind Boys of Alabama come will perform at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Showtime is 7:30pm. Only a handful of tickets remain.


Levoy Theatre presents The Artimus Pyle Band on Friday



Daughtry to perform at Ocean Casino Resort's Ovation Hall on Saturday



The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Curtis Salgado on Friday



CarteretPAC presents Tusk - The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute on Saturday






 

UPCOMING SHOWS

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

(SOUTH AMBOY, NJ) -- New Jersey internet radio station BlowUpRadio.com - Where NJ Rock Lives, announces its 19th annual Banding Together Webathon to benefit the Spondylitis Association Of America. Taking place Friday October 16th through Sunday October 18, 2026, on their internet radio station. Over forty acts from New Jersey and all over the globe will perform half hour performances, as they raise money to fund research and provide the programs and services to help the community suffering from this debilitating disease.


The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Curtis Salgado on Friday



Levoy Theatre presents The Artimus Pyle Band on Friday



CarteretPAC presents Tusk - The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute on Saturday






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