Somers Point, New Jersey Wins Best In America Recognition

At the recent Eddie and The Cruisers 40th Anniversary special event at The Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point, New Jersey … Carmen Marotta discussed his hopes and dreams that Somers Point was on the precipice of winning a major national recognition award.

It’s now official. Somers Point, New Jersey is the winner of the Best Outdoor Concert Series in America.

The recognition comes from the USA Today 10Best Readers Choice Awards.

Somers Point led up until the point that the voting changes from public view, to no more release of the data until the final official numbers are tabulated.

The award was announced on Friday, April 28, 2023.

During his speech, before a sold out crowd last Saturday at The Gateway Playhouse gateway theater, Carmen Marotta credited former Somers Point Recreation Director Nicholas C Regine for creating the summer concert series.

It’s befitting that this national award comes on the 30th anniversary of the Somers Point summer concert series.

The Concert Series is now produced by the all volunteer Somers Point Beach Concert Committee, led by Nancy and Carmen Marotta, who carry the torch of The Legendary Tony Mart Legacy.

Nancy Moratta said:

“Because it was just across the Bay from the pretty, pristine, "dry" oceanfront resort of Ocean City, entertainment establishments began to appear in Somers Point almost a century ago in the 1930's,” said Marotta.

“In 1944 a Sicilian immigrant discovered and acted upon the momentous opportunities in post World War I America. The Marotta family became one of many families including the Gregory's, DiOrio's, Roy Steel, The Blakes's, The Previti's the Antolini's the Corniglia's, the McCann's, the McCains, the Thomas family, the Circle Liquor Store, Walt's Original Pirmo Pizza and several more organizations whose hard work and dedication to the small family business created one of the original Jersey Shore party towns which ultimately became one of the most famous rock 'n' roll meccas on the East Coast,” said Marotta.

”The hard-working, opportunistic Antonino "Tony Mart" Marotta bought Schick's Tavern and turned it into the legendary "Tony Mart's" which contributed 38 years of fame to the history of the historic bayfront town of Somers Point,” said Marotta.

During the past 20 years, the Somers Point summer concert series has present:

Grammy award winning artists.
million selling recording artists.
multiple New Orleans Big Easy Award and Memphis Blues Hall of Fame award winners.
members of the Rock 'n' Roll and International Blues Hall of Fame.

Marotta credited so many Somers Point working partners, including:

Mayor, the City Council, the Chief of Police, the Public Works Department and thousands of Volunteers, Sponsors and Contributors.

The beach concert committee and the City of Somers Point are already beginning the process of developing an appropriate event to celebrate their selection as the best summer concert series in America.