Gathering to showcase new artists
Asbury Park hosts three-day festival this weekend

More than 175 artists will perform at 24 venues during the third annual Wave Gathering emerging music festival, slated for June 20-22 in Asbury Park. Many free venues for artist showcases have been announced.

Brand new performance additions to the lineup includeAri Hest, L.P. and Steel Mill Retro, as well as an exclusive 60 Minute Aquarian Weekly live interview with Nicole Atkins during the June 22 panels.

Festival organizers have expanded the series of music industry panels on cuttingedge topics such as production, studio and recording, public relations and marketing, artist development, and songwriting and publishing.

"This is the finest and most expansive talent ever put together on the Jersey Shore in one weekend,'' said Gordon Brown, one of the festival's co-organizers with Scott Stamper and Adam Weisberg, co-owners of The Saint, an original live music venue in Asbury Park, and music business attorney Larry Katz.

"There will be something here for everyone, from the casual fan to the music business fanatic," Brown added.

The June 22 schedule will encourage patrons to shop and dine in Asbury Park's refurbished downtown area, with dozens of performances in various businesses on and around the CookmanAvenue business district.

A series of music industry panels and workshops will be held at Trillium Antiques, 639 Cookman Ave. Panels and workshops will include artist managers, press and public relations, booking agents, record labels, producers, and national touring artists, all sharing their knowledge and insights on where the industry is headed. The question and answer discussions will be held on June 21-22 and admission to the discussions is $5 without a Wave Gathering wristband, and free with purchase of a wristband.

Panels include a "Production/ Studio/Recording" session on June 21 with John Noll, Retromedia Studios, Jon Leidersdorff, Lakehouse Music Studios, Steve Greenwell, a Grammy-nominated mixer and engineer from Steve's Studio NYC, and Grammy-winning mixer Tony Black.

On June 22, a songwriting and publishing panel will feature a group of songwriters who have all been involved with singles or albums that have topped the Billboard charts, including Ron Haney, Glen Burtnik, Charlie Midnight and John Eddie.

A complete Wave Gathering schedule, including a listing of all performances and all panel discussions, can be viewed at www.wavegathering.com. Tickets for the festival can also be purchased through the Web site.

The cost for a three-day pass is $40, and $25 for a one-day pass. Various admission rates may be paid at individual venues on the day of a show. For more information, call 732 859-5149.