Monday, September 06, 2004
Bluegrass for the pickin'
From the Courier Post (NJ)
Greg Schweitzer had never been to Albert Music Hall before, but minutes after his arrival, he was making bluegrass music.
One of the regulars asked him to join a few old-timers in the "pickin' shed," a place where musicians get together and jam while other bands take the stage in the main hall.
Albert Music Hall in Waretown, Ocean County, traces its roots back to Joe and George Albert, who hosted Saturday night bluegrass gatherings at their hunting cabin in the Pinelands.
The cabin was known as the "Home Place" and word spread about the weekly happening.
Albert Hall, a 6,000-square-foot building, opened in 1997 along Route 532. On a good night, more than 400 people pack the place.
Outside, musicians gather in the shed or the huge front porch. Inside, bands with names such as McMule, Rustic Rhythm and North Country play 30-minute sets on the stage.
"It's the best show on the eastern seaboard," said John McKinnon, 64. "It's a good family outing."
Kathy McKinnon said it's also important to preserve Pinelands history and that's a big part of Albert Hall's purpose.
The walls are lined with photos and old newspaper clippings. Each performance is recorded for posterity. In a back office, file drawers are filled with artifacts.
All of the musicians are unpaid and all admission money goes back into programs and upkeep of the building, said Everett. There are also volunteers selling homemade pies and cakes.
IF YOU GO
Read the article
Courier Post
Greg Schweitzer had never been to Albert Music Hall before, but minutes after his arrival, he was making bluegrass music.
One of the regulars asked him to join a few old-timers in the "pickin' shed," a place where musicians get together and jam while other bands take the stage in the main hall.
Albert Music Hall in Waretown, Ocean County, traces its roots back to Joe and George Albert, who hosted Saturday night bluegrass gatherings at their hunting cabin in the Pinelands.
The cabin was known as the "Home Place" and word spread about the weekly happening.
Albert Hall, a 6,000-square-foot building, opened in 1997 along Route 532. On a good night, more than 400 people pack the place.
Outside, musicians gather in the shed or the huge front porch. Inside, bands with names such as McMule, Rustic Rhythm and North Country play 30-minute sets on the stage.
"It's the best show on the eastern seaboard," said John McKinnon, 64. "It's a good family outing."
Kathy McKinnon said it's also important to preserve Pinelands history and that's a big part of Albert Hall's purpose.
The walls are lined with photos and old newspaper clippings. Each performance is recorded for posterity. In a back office, file drawers are filled with artifacts.
All of the musicians are unpaid and all admission money goes back into programs and upkeep of the building, said Everett. There are also volunteers selling homemade pies and cakes.
IF YOU GO
- Albert Music Hall is at 131 Wells Mill Road, Waretown, Ocean County. To get there, take Route 70 east to the Four Mile Circle. Pick up Route 72 east. Turn left onto Route 532 east to Waretown. Albert Hall will be on the right, just before Route 9.
- There's music every Saturday night, starting at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There are seven sets each night, with a different group taking the stage every 30 minutes.
- Admission is $5, $1 for children younger than 12.
- Call (609) 971-1593 or visit www.alberthall.org(cq).
Read the article
Courier Post
# posted by Dave Sichak @ 8:21 AM 
