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EVENT PREVIEWS

MPAC presents The Robert Cray Band

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Robert Cray Band brings 40 years of the blues to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Friday, September 16 at 8:00pm. Since 1974, The Robert Cray Band has been touring and recording their unique groove, born from a love of soul, R&B, gospel, blues and rock and roll. The five-time Grammy winner has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned the Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. Tickets are $29-$49.

 
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Pack The Bowl Fest 5 takes place August 27th

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Cosmic Jerry Band’s Pack The Bowl Fest is back and has a new home at Asbury Lanes! The 5th annual music and art extravaganza will take place Saturday, August 27 from noon to midnight. There will be local craft vendors, artists, food and drinks, bowling, and more, with live music performances by Cosmic Jerry Band, Decade (A Tribute To Neil Young), Mark Diomede, Pocket That Bread, Honey Wild, Ty Mares Trio, Uke Island Vibe, Joshua Nemeth, Desert Jellies, The Green Dream, and more!

Grammy Award Winner Randy Brecker to Perform at NBPAC

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) welcomes world renowned jazz artist Randy Brecker for an intimate acoustic performance on September 9, 2022 at 8:00pm. Joining him onstage will be his wife, saxophonist extraordinaire Ada Rovatti. Rounding out the performance are Bill O'Connell on piano, Marco Panascia on bass, and Steve Johns on drums.

Brook Arts Center presents a Rock & Roll Royalty Revue

(BOUND BROOK, NJ) -- You will be dancing in the aisles at the Brook Arts Center on October 21 as an amazing lineup of artists perform a spectacular “Rock & Roll Royalty Revue”  The lineup includes Jackie DiMaggio; The Mello Kings; Gene DiNapoli (as Elvis); Stan Zizka's Del Satins; and The Knockout's Bobby D'Andrea.

The Basie presents Ray LaMontagne with special guest Lily Meola

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Ray LaMontagne with special guest Lily Meola on Monday, October 31 at 7:30pm. Ray LaMontagne and his trio are on the road this Fall to perform live the songs from his album MONOVISION as well as hits from across his catalog. MONOVISION includes breakout songs such as “I Was Born To Love You” and #1 AAA single “Strong Enough”.


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COLUMNS

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 05/02/2026

Due to a death in the family, the "Sound Bites" weekly column has ben postponed for this week. However, the listings of live music and entertainment are enclosed; we shall return on Thursday May 7 which happens to be the same day as the monthly "Rock On Radio" Happy Hour at the Nottingham Tavern located at 9 Mercer Street in Hamilton Square, NJ with music by Carmen Marranco.



Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Make It Happen" by Mike Chick



Lighty's Corner: April 30, 2026



This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from April 28 to May 4, 2026






 

MORE NEWS


"The Great Albums Podcast" Returns June 1st with New Monthly Episodes and Patreon Exclusives

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Great Albums Podcast, a music commentary show that averaged 20,000 Week 1 downloads per episode and amassed over 6 million total downloads during its initial run from 2015-2019, will return on June 1 with its first regular episode in over seven years. New episodes will follow on the first of every month.


2026 Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival to Take Place July 11-12



Tributes to Chicago, Taylor Swift, Van Morrison, Zac Brown, Elvis, Genesis, and Zach Bryan are coming to The Strand



Lily Vakili to Celebrate Release of "Live Wire" EP on Wednesday



Centenary Stage Company presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on May 23rd






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