Source: “Ocean Grove 2018 Summer Program Guide.”
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger. Shaboom, Shaboom.
The Doo Wops used to usher in the summer season in OG and then return in September with a different lineup. But in the last couple of years, the CMA has eliminated most pop concerts from the summer schedule—except for the Beach Boys.
But now, in a surprise announcement, the CMA has taken seriously the adage “See You in September” with a “Doo Wop Extravaganza” on September one in the Great Auditorium. The program contains all excellent choices, so this concert should not be missed if you like the music from that era.
There is magic associated with the Doo Wops in Ocean Grove, because every year a large crowd would assemble, and they always seemed to be the same age year after year, never getting older than old enough.
This Doo Wop concert is one of two secular pop musical shows this season. The other is The Beach Boys on August 18.
JAY AND THE AMERICANS: “Come a Little Bit Closer”
THE DRIFTERS:
@RM – The CMA won’t bring any popular or modern performers in. They won’t spend that kind of money on current performers. They can only afford old has-beens or “in-kind” religious programming. So stubborn and short sighted with that 6,000 seat venue sitting there. But then again, where would the ticket buyers park?
Are tickets available at door?
Editor’s note: Best check with OceanGrove.org I suspect you can since it’s not likely that they are sold out.
They will be trolling for parking! It’s a popular show. They still keep coming!
Reblogged this on Blogfinger and commented:
Don’t miss this concert this Saturday night.
RM The CMA has never enunciated a goal of trying to build a “community” in town unless they are referring to their religious community, which the current President prefers to do.
Some time ago I interviewed the then President of the CMA Rasmussen. I asked him what the relationship of the CMA to the town itself would be, and he said that their focus would be on their “mission.”
They were not going to help build the general “community” of Ocean Grove. For example we have seen no particular interest in historic preservation on their part.
But sometimes they do confuse the name “Ocean Grove” as a substitute for “Camp Meeting Association.”. For example, the new summer booklet published by the CMA is entitled “Ocean Grove 2018 Summer Program Guide” but there is a cross on the cover, and the booklet does emphasize their mission programming. And the change in GA music programming also verifies their focus.
Just to clarify terminology, “secular” is defined as “denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.”
So, using that definition, the “classical music” sponsored by the CMA, although often religious based, may not be. An oratorio would be, but the Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A Major has no religious basis.
And some non-pop concerts brought by the CMA offer secular music, for example, when Phillip Smith performs with a brass ensemble in the GA and they play Sousa, Gershwin and Broadway selections, that is certainly “secular.” And sometimes their concerts contain a mix of secular and religious compositions.
Hey Suffering Surfer – I do check out a lot of shows at Count Basie and have gone to see the Beach Boys (AKA: MIke Love and some really good professional musicians) a few years ago in OG. Missed Brian and Chris unfortunately.
I also agree with BF as it is nice getting to hear some of the good oldies from these re-engineered groups. My only complaint is that we need more of it. This town now reflects a wide demographic and the OGCMA should work to bring in acts that speak to all of us. That’s how thriving strong communities are made. Maybe they are still announcing acts and I will be pleasantly surprised…but I sadly doubt it.
As for the Doo Wop groups, God only knows who will perform. For example, of Jay and the Americans, Jay Black filed for bankruptcy some years back and sold the name. He still performs as does Kenny Vance, but like J. Traynor, who died in 2014, they won’t be in this show.
Editor’s note: It doesn’t matter. This is about reproducing the music of an era, and sometimes these groups, in their re-invented versions sound wonderful even if they change the sound and the arrangements somewhat. The Duprees, for example, do a Vegas style act–very professional. —Paul @Blogfinger
And it is only Mike Love from the original group.
Everyone knows the genius in the beach boys was Brian Wilson. He wrote most of the songs (especially the hits) on his own. He arranged and produced the group. See movie “Love and Mercy.”
Last September, Brian and Al Jardine (2 of 5 originals, Carl and Dennis died) and a great group played the Count Basie in Red Bank. Excellent. Did you see that RM?
I like the Beach Boys. I really do. I feel like I need to remind myself that every year after the Summer Show Schedule is released…because it seems like the only mainstream secular act that they schedule year after year is: The Beach Boys. And again, I like the Beach Boys.
The Great Auditorium is an amazingly unique venue and resource for our town…yet I feel it goes sadly underutilized. I enjoy the fact that we have a program full of classical performances and I fully respect the number of religious programs (as that is obviously the OGCMA’s mission)…but wouldn’t it be nice if we could get some other interesting popular contemporary musical acts that would bring out our diverse community out to enjoy together? I’m sadly coming to realize that we are a small town with a major Beach Boys problem. And again…I like the Beach Boys.
Therefore, can the OGCMA please bring on someone to put together the Summer Show Schedule next year who is not singularly focused on only the Beach Boys? I think it’s quite obvious by now that I like the Beach Boys…but at what point does it get really annoying and old repeatedly mentioning the Beach Boys again…year…after year…after year.
Please let me know. You can find me walking over the bridge to Asbury Park this summer in search of fun that does not involve the Beach Boys any longer. I’m done.