Arts & Entertainment .

If you know local music, you know Carmen Marotta. Son of Anthony Marotta, who ownedthe legendary club Tony Mart`s in Somers Point - where Bob Dylan found his band theHawks (later known as The Band), in August 1965 and where rock `n` roll prevailed withthe hottest bands around until the early 1980s when the club closed. It was at the endof the club`s colorful history when parts of the 1983 film Eddie and theCruisers were filmed there.

In recent years, Marotta, who`s in the lawprofession and was once a Somers Point city councilman, has been very busy carrying thetorch from his Italian-born father into the 21st century. Putting on several areabenefit concerts as well as Tony Mart`s Reunion events, and booking the amazing SomersPoint beach concert series each summer, Marotta also started a Mardi Gras on theBoardwalk series in Atlantic City this past summer and tells Atlantic CityWeekly he`d love to have another Tony Mart`s if the circumstances wereright.

How long have you been a part of the local music scene?

As a new man growing up in Tony Mart`s my father employed many musicians. Manynights there were two and sometimes three or more bands at Tony Mart`s and the second orthird line bands were often local or regional. My brother Tony and I actually beganbuying talent for Tony Mart`s in 1977 and did so until it closed in 1982. We used manylocal bands in those years. Since that time we have had Tony Mart reunion parties, [aswell as] charity and civic events. As you know, I always try to take some lively music,often local and regional musicians, in any event that we produce.

Who are most of the greatest talents you`ve worked with or heard that came outof this area?

Right now I am working directly with some of the greatest gift that I`ve ever seenin this area. Billy Walton is phenomenal. He has it all. He`s a prominent singer, performerand exceptional guitar player. He`s a big guy and he would certainly have been aconsistent headliner at Tony Mart`s. There is a lot of great talent locally includingBobby Campanell who could get really well been a major international star if he had beenmore fortunate in his career. As you know, the live music business is very tricky anddifficult and most of the big ones never do become famous. (And conversely, some ofthe famous ones are really not that great! Campanell is a great pop singer. Danny Eyeris a great guitarist and so is Ernie Trionfo, who plays with Hawkins Road, one of myfavorite local groups with one of the finest rhythm sections around - Rich Kurz on bassand Jimmy Glenn on drums. Certainly the Jeremiah Hunter Band is one of the finest groupsyou can see performing live in the area. They were incredible on July 4 on the SomersPoint beach. Kenny Jeremiah is a consummate performer. Bobby Hunter is a wonderfulmellifluous singer with a beautiful range. With an incredible guitarist like Kit, theyare a true joy to see live. I could go on some more great bands. We are blessed with alot of great local performers.

There are less and less places for local bands to play. Why can`t the areaprovide more places for local musicians to work in your estimation?

As I said, the live music business is very crafty and difficult. A lot of restaurantand bar operators simply don`t know the live music business. Providing decentcompensation for the very good musicians is really difficult for these types ofestablishments. That is why it is so important that we need more public and privatepartnerships to create venues. The Somers Point Beach Concert Series model needs to berepeated in other areas. We were successful in doing that at Mardi Gras on the Boardwalkin Atlantic City this summer. The most optimistic news is coming out of Atlantic Citywhere there is some money and cash flow for entertainment even though they`re stillexperiencing some difficulties. An Arts District centered on Mississippi Avenue is greatfor our future. Dante Hall is the work of venue we need to use for all kinds ofentertainment. I know there are models that would work. The Ocean City Music Pier has done an excellent job. That could be a viable venue for groups if the right form of showcases can be promoted. Ultimately, I would like tobecome involved with another regular venue. I know there are business models that wouldwork in a way that provide opportunities for local music. A new Tony Mart`s with theright kind of operation could be a big success and could allow the change of venuethat you`re contemplating with this question. Again, I think that Atlantic City wouldprobably be the best place for this type of venue. The most important element is to havea capable, experienced, well-financed operator with whom I could affiliate. I think wehave proved that people will respond to great live entertainment. A lot of money can bemade if it`s done right.

What`s one of the greatest local band success stories in recent years?

The Billy Walton Band is a big success story. I have worked with Billy Walton andWilliam Paris, the excellent bass player and tutor of that band, for about 5 years.It is sweet to see Billy reach the head of success where he is regularly playingwith Southside Johnny and on stage with Bon Jovi. I love Billy and I am very proud ofour work together.

You`ve played a big a role in bringing gig opportunities to local acts; how canthis catch on with other local booking agents?

We need to increase the free entertainment and low admission model wherever we can. Ibelieve we are going to make significant success doing this in Atlantic City. Freeholderand entrepreneur, Frank Formica, is set to go with us to do more. He is a musicianand a true believer and we need more people like him to come away and work togetherwith people like us to put together these models where the man and private sector andbusiness community generate great cultural events in the shape of live music everyone canenjoy. I am ready to do more with the right set of circumstances and opportunities. I`velearned the hard way that it isn`t worthwhile to pursue live music venues in areas wherethey are not welcome. It certainly is time, however, that live performances and culturalevents are developed more aggressively in our area. I sure believe that it would begood for everyone.

We are going to work a profit for the recently deceased Joyce Marotta in Somers Point at the capital and comfortable Fire House No. 1 on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Bobby Fingers will be featured and we`ll have more performers around him. Also, we need to do a benefit for Bob Campanell, whose recent health problems demand our life and efforts to aid him. We`re working on another Mardi Gras [event] at St. James in Ventnor for the benefit of Access One. This is tentatively scheduled to feature Jumpin` Johnny Sansone and [this writer] on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. Charity events and public private concert series are the types of events that we can now plan and produce. As you know, I am ready and willing to do more. I do consider that we can have a lot more opportunities for local performers.

I don`t know that the old Margate or Somers Point strips will be revived in any way that even begins to gauge their old glory. However, I suppose that there can be many opportunities in Atlantic City and also in other communities. Successful resorts like Ocean City and Wildwood can create opportunities for free performances as they have been doing. With respect to a group of businesses where live music is performed, I know there are some opportunities in other places such as the North Beach arena in Ventnor as well as the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township and Hamilton Township. Downtown Hammonton has been doing some interesting things and I know there are about really respectable people in Hammonton who may be able to do more. There also should be something more done in the Galloway area if the community is receptive.