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Makin Waves Song of the Week: "I Will Walk You Home” by Wiser Time



by Bob Makin - published 2026-06-19

Wiser Time, aka Central Jersey singer-songwriter-guitarist Carmen Sclafani, just dropped his latest album, "There’s A Change A-Comin'," on his own Wiser Time Music. The closing focus track, "I Will Walk You Home," is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.


The 2026 Sourland Mountain Fest to Take Place July 25th



(RINGOES, NJ) -- The Sourland Mountain Fest is back for its 21st year on Saturday, July 25, 2026. It promises a summer afternoon of soulful talent, tasty bites, refreshing drinks and meaningful dialogue on why the Sourland Region is so important to Central Jersey, and why it's more important than ever to protect it. Performers include Gravity Hill, The Swiss Guard, Hickory, Jake Thistle, and headliners The Harrisons and Company.



Jack Flowers and the Petal Tones Head Off On Their First Tour



(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- On the heels of their radiant debut album girl clothes and recent social media virality, New Jersey punk scene darlings Jack Flowers and the Petal Tones are setting off on their first tour. Known for their euphoric stage presence and transcendent, cyber-fueled melodies, the Petal Tones are sure to foster riotous, unapologetic joy and a memo of radical self-acceptance on each stage they grace.



If We Don't Label AI Music Now, We'll Lose What "Songwriting" Means



by Wayne Olivieri - published 2026-06-18

I've spent my life doing the thing people now casually imitate with a prompt.



Mahwah Museum Hosts "Unlock the Fretboard" Guitar Workshop with Mark Sganga on July 25th



(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Guitar players of all levels are invited to "Unlock the Fretboard," a hands-on guitar workshop taking place on Saturday, July 25, from 11:00am to 2:00pm, with a short break included, at The Mahwah Museum. The workshop will be taught by Mark Sganga, an International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, bringing expert instruction and high-level musicianship to this special event. Designed to help players better understand the fretboard through a system of caged chords and scales, the workshop offers practical strategies that participants can apply immediately in their playing.






Gateway Playhouse to produce "Concert For A Cure" Fundraiser on June 28th



(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse is producing Concert for a Cure, a three-part show highlighting three different musical acts on June 28, 2026, as a special fundraising event for three different cancer organizations: the American Cancer Society (ACS), Gilda's Club of Linwood, and Wigs & Wishes by Martino Cartier of Sewell. The event will feature three original musical acts: Tide ll Moon, a Philadelphia- based indie rock band formed by Drexel University film students; Steven Lemon, a South Jersey indie pop/rock/folk artist with a songwriting career that spans two decades; and Rachel Burghen, a dynamic South Jersey crossover artist known for her soaring pop sound, accompanied by Brian Conover on piano.



The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac



(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.



This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from June 16-22, 2026



Here is a look at shows taking place from June 16-22, 2026 along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.



Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents An Evening with Britishmania Beatles Tribute Band on Friday



(PITMAN, NJ) -- Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents An Evening with Britishmania - a Beatles Tribute Band on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 8:00pm. This band invites you to take a memorable trip back to the 1960's to experience the wonderful sound and stage persona of The Beatles.



Makin Waves with Jake Thistle: Anchored by Sincerity



by Bob Makin - published 2026-06-15

Paramus-raised, Jersey Shore-beloved singer-songwriter Jake Thistle has been chasing songs for as long as he can remember.






 

COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "I Will Walk You Home” by Wiser Time

Wiser Time, aka Central Jersey singer-songwriter-guitarist Carmen Sclafani, just dropped his latest album, "There’s A Change A-Comin'," on his own Wiser Time Music. The closing focus track, "I Will Walk You Home," is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from June 16-22, 2026




BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 6/15/26




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Under the Carousel" by Josh Herman








 

MORE NEWS

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Split Level Concerts at the Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC) in Ocean Grove has announced the full concert lineup for its third season. All shows will take place beginning at 8:00pm in JSAC's Palaia Theater. The season lineup includes Willie Nile, John Gorka, Dan Bern, Catie Curtis and Band, Stephen Kellogg, Abbie Gardner, Heather Maloney and Band, and Kim Richey. As they have done in prior years, artists from the Asbury Park music scene will open many of the shows.


Shadows of the '60s and One Hot Night LIVE! at PNC Bank Arts Center




Asbury Underground returns June 27th as part of North to Shore Festival




WXPN Musicians On Call Expands Healing Power of Music to Philadelphia’s Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation




The 2026 Sourland Mountain Fest to Take Place July 25th








 

UPCOMING SHOWS


MPAC Announces Free Summer Concert Lineup for 2026

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center's Arts in the Community free summer concert schedule for 2026 has been announced. MPAC will present six free concerts between June and August. The lineup includes the return of three of their most popular events – Bollywood Dance Party, Country Line Dancing and Salsa at Sunset, as well as singer-songwriters, and more.


The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers to Perform at Prudential Center




Carteret PAC presents Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys on June 20th




2026-27 Season Preview: Split Level Concerts at Jersey Shore Arts Center









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