Tom Hambridge & the Rattlesnakes (with Twisted Livin’ Band)

Legacy Concerts on the Beach Returns to Somers Point for a Historic 33rd Season as Grammy Winner Tom Hambridge Opens One of America’s Most Celebrated Summer Music Traditions

Every summer, New Jersey proves once again that some of the most memorable live music experiences in America are not found inside massive stadiums or sprawling festival grounds. Instead, they unfold along the shoreline, where ocean breezes meet extraordinary performances, communities gather under open skies, and music becomes part of the landscape itself.

That tradition returns in spectacular fashion this summer as the 33rd Annual Legacy Concerts on the Beach launches another remarkable season at William Morrow Beach in Somers Point. Running every Friday evening from June 12 through September 11, the acclaimed concert series once again transforms the waterfront into one of the most unique live music destinations anywhere in the country.

The season begins June 12 with an opening-night performance featuring five-time Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter, drummer, and blues powerhouse Tom Hambridge & The Rattlesnakes, joined by South Jersey favorites Twisted Livin’ Band. It is an opening-night pairing that perfectly captures the spirit of the Legacy Concerts on the Beach series: world-class talent sharing a stage with the regional musicians who help define the sound and character of New Jersey’s music scene.

What makes Legacy Concerts on the Beach so extraordinary is not simply the quality of the performers. It is the setting, the atmosphere, the history, and the sense of community that has elevated the series into a national destination.

For three consecutive years, the concert series earned the distinction of being named the Best Outdoor Concert Series in America by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. While many communities host summer concert programs, very few have created a cultural experience that resonates on a national scale the way Somers Point has achieved.

Every Friday evening throughout the summer, thousands gather along William Morrow Beach and the surrounding Bay Avenue waterfront. Families arrive with lawn chairs and blankets. Friends stake out spots in the sand hours before showtime. Visitors discover the event for the first time while longtime attendees return year after year, treating the concerts as a seasonal tradition as meaningful as any holiday celebration.

As the sun begins its descent over Great Egg Harbor Bay, the stage comes alive against one of the most picturesque backdrops in New Jersey. Golden evening light reflects across the water while music drifts through the shoreline air, creating an atmosphere that feels equally intimate and grand.

The result is something far more meaningful than a typical concert.

It becomes an experience.

Opening night promises to set a powerful tone for the season.

Tom Hambridge arrives in Somers Point as one of the most respected figures in modern blues and American roots music. Over the course of his career, Hambridge has established himself as a producer, songwriter, drummer, and creative force behind some of the genre’s most celebrated recordings. His recent Grammy-winning work with legendary blues icon Buddy Guy further solidified his status as one of the most influential voices working in contemporary blues today.

Yet despite his impressive credentials and global reputation, Hambridge’s music remains deeply connected to the traditions that built American roots music. His performances combine technical mastery with authentic storytelling, delivering the kind of emotional connection that resonates equally with longtime blues fans and newcomers discovering the genre for the first time.

His appearance at William Morrow Beach reflects the broader mission that has guided the Legacy Concerts on the Beach series for more than three decades: bringing artists of extraordinary caliber directly into the community and making those performances accessible to everyone.

That accessibility remains one of the event’s defining characteristics.

At a time when ticket prices continue to rise across the entertainment industry and many major concert experiences have become increasingly expensive, Legacy Concerts on the Beach remains entirely free.

The significance of that commitment cannot be overstated.

For families, students, retirees, music lovers, and visitors, the opportunity to experience nationally recognized artists without financial barriers has become an increasingly rare cultural offering. It reinforces the idea that exceptional live music should be available to everyone and that community events can still serve as gathering places where audiences of all backgrounds share a common experience.

The series itself carries a rich historical legacy rooted in Somers Point’s musical heritage.

The concerts honor the spirit of the legendary Tony Mart’s nightclub, one of the most influential music venues in South Jersey history. For nearly four decades, Tony Mart’s welcomed some of the most important performers of their generation and played a vital role in shaping the region’s cultural identity.

Located just blocks from the beach, Tony Mart’s became synonymous with live music excellence and helped establish Somers Point as one of New Jersey’s most important entertainment destinations. The Legacy Concerts on the Beach continue that tradition, ensuring that the city’s deep musical roots remain vibrant and relevant for new generations.

The 2026 season reflects that commitment to honoring the past while embracing the future.

Following the June 12 opener, audiences can look forward to an extraordinary lineup spanning blues, rock, Americana, soul, New Orleans brass, classic Jersey Shore sounds, and innovative tribute performances. Nationally recognized acts share the calendar alongside some of the most exciting performers emerging from the region, creating a season that celebrates both musical heritage and artistic evolution.

Highlights include New Orleans brass-funk innovators Bonerama, the high-energy Dane Anthony Band, the inventive Dead Zep project blending the music of the Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin, and a highly anticipated appearance by Jersey Shore legends John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band.

Each performance contributes to the larger narrative that has made the series so successful.

Rather than focusing on a single genre or audience demographic, Legacy Concerts on the Beach embraces the full spectrum of American music. Blues, rock, soul, funk, roots music, jazz influences, and contemporary interpretations all find a home on the Somers Point stage.

That diversity mirrors the broader story of New Jersey’s music culture.

Throughout its history, New Jersey has served as a crossroads for artistic innovation. From the boardwalk stages of the Shore to legendary clubs, theaters, and concert halls throughout the state, New Jersey has consistently produced and embraced musicians who push boundaries while honoring tradition.

The Legacy Concerts on the Beach embody that same philosophy.

The event is simultaneously local and national. Intimate and expansive. Historic and forward-looking.

It offers visitors the opportunity to discover new artists while reconnecting with familiar favorites. It introduces younger audiences to musical traditions they may not otherwise encounter while providing longtime fans with unforgettable performances in a setting unlike any other.

As summer arrives and communities across New Jersey prepare for another season of festivals, outdoor concerts, and waterfront celebrations, Somers Point once again stands at the center of one of the state’s most beloved cultural traditions.

When Tom Hambridge & The Rattlesnakes take the stage on June 12, they will not simply be opening another concert season.

They will be launching another chapter in a story that has become one of New Jersey’s most remarkable live music success stories.

For thirty-three years, the Legacy Concerts on the Beach have demonstrated that world-class entertainment does not require massive arenas or extravagant production budgets. Sometimes all it takes is a shoreline, a stage, a sunset, and a community that understands the enduring power of live music.

As the first notes echo across Great Egg Harbor Bay and another summer begins in Somers Point, one thing is certain: New Jersey’s most celebrated beach concert tradition is ready to make more memories.