2012 Somers Point Beach Concerts

THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOMERS POINT BEACH CONCERTS

With the demise of Bay Shores, Tony Marts and other rock and roll night clubs that featured live entertainment, Somers Point  has kept the music tradition going by presenting free community concerts on the beach every Friday night all summer long.

Now in its 20^th year, the 2012 beach concert schedule is better than ever, and includes a good mix of local talent and top flight national recording acts that play a variety of music styles that should please everyone.

Carmen Marotta, son of Tony Marts’ owner Anthony Marotta, and producer for the Beach Concert Committee, said this year’s line is, “Truly Amazing!  It’s unbelievable that a Free Summer Concert Series, in a small town, can present this many international recording artists of headliner stature.”

“We’re doing a lot of extraordinary, exciting things to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of this phenomenal concert series with 14 magical shows on the beautiful Somers Point beach,” Marotta said.

The stars this summer include the a cappella Doo Wop vocals of the renown Persuasions, blues rock guitarist Walter Trout, famous recording artists The Commander Cody Band and harmonica virtuoso Rick Estrin and the Nightcats.

On a few nights the audiences will be entertained by more than one act, some of them jamming together, including the Scott Kirby Band - Margaritaville Radio’s most requested artists, with local legend Lew London, the Persuasions and the Shakes, and Dr. Bobby Fingers with Howard Isaacson and the Hawkins Road Band.  

The series will begin on Friday June 15th with the electric violin led roots rock and blues of the Lionel Young Band, a multiple winner of international blues awards.  

On June 22nd the musical stars of HBO’s Treme, funky, trombone led New Orleans band, Bonerama will make their Somers Point debut with their three trombones playing Led Zeppelin and the Allman Brothers on the Beach.

Classic rocker Bob Campanell will return for his regular July 4th gig with his band that includes local java fueled guitarist Danny Eyer, and two days later on Friday, July 6^th the beach scene will showcase the Jeremiah Hunter Band, a dance party group includes former members of the Soul Survivors (“Expressway to Your Heart”) and Fullhouse, who some will remember from the old nightclub days.       

On Friday, July 6^th the Beach Concert Committee will commemorate the 20th  Anniversary Season by honoring Beach Concert Founder, Nick Regine, with a special, well deserved presentation. Nick, who obtained the commitments from the local businesses to start the beach concert series, also founded the Somers Point Jazz Society, which brings great jazz music to the clubs throughout the winter season.

According to Marotta, “We’re going to celebrate our 20th Anniversary with two special ‘double header’ concerts that will begin at 6:45PM on July 20th and July 27th in the heart of our season.”  

On July 20^th the internationally renown Persuasions will perform a 75 minute a cappella show followed by a good old Somers Point Rock ‘n Roll Dance party with The Shakes, and on July 27th, pianist Dr. Bobby Fingers and Hawkins Road Band perform a jam concert with guest stars Howard Isaacson and Ernie T’ Trionfo.

Except for the 6:45 starts on July 20 and 27, Somers Point Beach Concerts are presented Friday nights from 7 until 9:30PM.

Jersey Shore guitar hero Billy Walton, from South Side Johnny’s Asbury Jukes, will rock Bay Ave on August 10^th, having recently returned from their latest UK tour where they have a strong fan following.

The Midiri Brothers Band will present their world class tribute to Benny Goodman on August 17^th, with special guest banjo virtuoso Franny Smith playing his traditional New Orleans musical celebration.

International blues guitarist Walter Trout will perform August 24^th, while Jill West and Blues Attack will play on August 31^st.

The 2012 Summer Season will close out on September 7^th, Good Old Days Weekend, with a musical blessing from Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys.   

For more info, schedules and links to the website of the performing artists, please refer to SomersPointBeachConcerts.com.  

For Press contact call Carmen Marotta at 609-457-1316.
tonymarto@aol.com

2012 20TH ANNIVERSARY BEACH CONCERTS

June 15^th - THE LIONEL YOUNG BAND

Multi Blues Award Winning Violinist

June 22^nd – BONERAMA

Rockin’ Funky Trombone led Brass Band from New Orleans

June 29^th - THE COMMANDER CODY BAND

Country Swing and Rockin’ Boogie Woogie Recording Stars

July 4^th - THE BOB CAMPANELL BAND FEATURING DANNY EYER

Jersey Shore Rock ‘n Roll Icon with his favorite lead guitarist

July 6^th - JEREMIAH HUNTER BAND

Favorites from The Soul Survivors & Fullhouse

July 13^th - RICK ESTRIN & THE NIGHTCATS

World Class Jump, Swing Blues Recording Artists

July 20^th - THE PERSUASIONS PLUS THE SHAKES

Legendary Doo Wop Vocal Stars PLUS Motown Party Dance Songs

July 27^th - DR. BOBBY FINGERSBAND PLUS HAWKINS ROAD

Popular Sing-a-long songs PLUS The Best Country Rock

August 3^rd - SCOTT KIRBY WITH LEW LONDON

One of Margaritaville Radio’s most requested Artists

August 10^th - THE BILLY WALTON BAND WITH ARTHUR MIGLIAZZA

Jersey Shore Rock ‘n Roll Hero with New Orleans Piano

August 17^th - THE MIDORI BROTHERS BAND FEATURING FRANNY  SMITH 

Swingin’ Tribute to Benny Goodman & New Orleans Favorites

August 24th - WALTER TROUT

International Rockin’ Blues Guitar Headliner

August 31^st - JILL WEST AND BLUES ATTACK

Western Pennsylvania’s #1 Party Dance Band

September 7th  - REVEREND RAVEN AND THE CHAIN SMOKIN’ ALTAR BOYS

Rockabilly Swing & Roots Rock ‘n Roll