Is it really the last week of July already? This summer is rolling, and we’re looking forward to a music-packed August. Seacrets Summer Concert Series continues to bring nationally renowned bands to Ocean City. Have you bought your tickets yet for the Rusted Root concert at Seacrets on Wednesday, August 4? Many of my local friends are buzzing about this show, and I predict it will sell out. Seacrets also presents Collie Buddz on Monday, July 26, SOJA on August 2, and Third World on August 16. One of my favorite reggae bands for decades, Jah Works, takes the stage at Seacrets on Thursday-Saturday, July 29-31. A locally loved party band, Amish Outlaws, returns to Seacrets on Friday, July 30. Many of us were quite impressed when The Movement opened for SOJA earlier this summer, and I’m happy to report that The Movement has several upcoming shows at Seacrets, beginning on Sunday, August 1.

I stopped into Johnny’s Pizza Bar & Grill on 56th Street for the first time this week, and I think I’ve discovered my new favorite hotspot. The bar and grill boasts a state-of-the-art sound system with Electro-Voice® speakers. Satellite radio and Touch Tunes keep the music going, and the Lime Green band will rock Johnny’s Pizza Bar—where there is never a cover charge—on Friday night, July 23. 

Also on Friday night, July 23, and Wednesday, July 28, Australian native Jay Hoad will take the stage at Sunset Grille. Combining funk, rock, and reggae, this international performer is easy on the ears and the eyes! 

As usual, BJ’s on the Water has a fantastic entertainment line-up this week. The Mood Swingers with Lauren Glick bring bluesy rock on Friday and Saturday at 9 pm, and the extremely talented Electric Company performs on Wednesday at 5 pm. Next week, July 30, Full Circle is slated for Friday night, 

I stopped into Pickles Pub for $2 Tuesday this week, and was quite impressed with the mix of DJ Wax spinning tunes and Candiflip rocking the stage. Thank you, Candiflip, for covering a Rancid song. Rock on! Of course, DJ Wax always packs the dance floor and greets each local with a hug and a smile. He’ll be spreading positive vibes at Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill at 6 pm on Friday, July 23, at Pickles Pub on Tuesday, July 27, and at Dead Freddie’s on Saturday July 24 after the amazing Tranzfusion and Wednesday, July 28.

Bryan Russo has a busy summer schedule coming up. He sang the blues with his trio band at Macky’s Bayside Bar & Grill last Sunday,  and will be at Galaxy 66 on Wednesday, July 28. Plus, he’ll open for Rusted Root at Seacrets on August 4. How great is that! Congratulations, Bryan, on featuring your name on Ticket Master!

I’m officially dubbing Summer 2010 as “Tribute Bands Twenty Ten.” Tribute bands have been lighting up the town, paying homage to Sublime, Green Day, Bruce Springsteen, Led Zeppelin, Dave Matthews, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, and more. Go to Fager’s Island on Sunday, July 25, to see Robert Eric’s tribute to the piano man, Billy Joel. On Thursday, July 29, Apple Scruffs will bring your favorite Beatles songs to the stage at the Purple Moose.

Just a few more of my personal favorite bands playing around town this week are Johnny Bling at M.R. Ducks on Friday, July 23, at 4 pm, DJ Hook at Fager’s Island on Friday, July 23, and Tuesday evening, July 27, and Coastal Vibrations at Fager’s Island on Thursday, July 29.

Clearly, Ocean City offers a diversity of music for every genre and generation. Turn up the heat and support our local music scene. Have a wonderful week, everyone.