Listen up, Ocean City, because this is going to be a wild week for live music. Two major events are happening this week. First, SOJA is performing at Seacrets on Monday, June 21. Second, Pickles Pub is hosting a “Kill the Spill” benefit for GulfAid.org and the National Wildlife Federation on Wednesday, June 23.
    If you love reggae music, you must purchase a ticket for the SOJA concert.  A band of childhood friends, SOJA is from Washington, DC, and has released three full-length albums. Internationally known, the reggae band is devoted to sending meaningful messages in each and every song. When you see them at Seacrets, you may notice that most of their fans sing every word to every song. In fact, when I saw SOJA last year at Seacrets, one girl had SOJA song lyrics tattooed on her rib cage! Stop into Seacrets today and purchase your ticket. Get to the show early to see Tribal Seeds open the act.
    I know many of us are sickened by the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. Now we can play a small role to help with relief efforts. Go to Pickles Pub on Wednesday, June 23, for the “Kill the Spill” fundraiser. Headlined by Lower Class Citizens, the event will feature performances by The C Side, Kaleb Brown, Bryan Russo, and The Electric Company. This is quite a diverse line-up. Lower Class Citizens are locally famous for rock-n-roll that will “melt your face.” Blending original reggae and hip-hop, Kaleb Brown is one of my favorite local performers. Bryan Russo, who recently premiered his music video for his song, “Smokey Café,” is a marvelous blues performer, and The Electric Company mixes rock and bluegrass sounds. So, no matter what type of music you prefer, this fundraiser will offer something for everybody.  The show starts at 8 p.m., and all donations will be split between the two organizations. Also, for a sneak peek of The Electric Company, you can preview them on Friday night, June 18, at Pickles. Located on 8th Street, Pickles Pub also has Qilo on tap for Saturday night, and Tim Cyphers on Sunday night.
    Have you seen the new Johnny’s Pizza Bar & Grill that just opened its doors on 56th Street? I heard that they have Dales Pale Ale on tap, and they host live music performances. Check out their ad in the Coconut Times for upcoming shows. Another new hotspot that just popped up for the summer of 2010 is 28th Street Pit and Pub. Co-owned by Horsey and Chief (formerly of Harborside and Micky Fins, respectively), the new BBQ spot will feature deejays throughout the week, and they have a killer juke box.
    Music fans in North Ocean City and Fenwick Island should check out High Stakes Bar & Grill this week. Serving discounted food, this bar & grill hosts deejays and bands throughout the week. Also, remember to stop into Charlie’s Bayside for Tim Landers on Friday, June 18, John LaMere on Saturday, Wes Davis on Sunday, and Anthony Carmen on Wednesday.
    As you can see, so much is happening this week at the beach. The Marcella Peters Band returns to Galaxy 66 on Wednesday, June 23. For its weekly “Local Band Night,” Macky’s Bayside features Bryan Russo Trio on Sunday, June 20. Coconuts at the Castle in the Sand hotel has live, outdoor music each day at 2 p.m. And, did you know that the Reel Inn Dockbar presents live, acoustic music every Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m.? Home of the annual White Marlin Open, the Reel Inn is located directly on the dock at Harbour Island on 14th Street.
    I hope everybody comes out to support a fantastic cause on Wednesday night at Pickles. I’ll see you there. Have a wonderful week.