Behind the Music: How Carmen Marotta Brings Legendary Acts to the South Jersey Shore

From blues legends and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers to local favorites, the Tony Mart Presents founder explains the art — and relationships — behind booking live music

By Karen Johnson

When thousands of people gather at a South Jersey beach or the Atlantic City Boardwalk to hear world-class musicians perform for free, they see the finished product: the lights, the stage, the crowd and the music.

What they don’t see is the months — and sometimes years — of phone calls, conversations, relationships and persistence that happen behind the scenes.

That’s where Carmen Marotta comes in.

The longtime South Jersey music promoter and founder of Tony Mart Presents has spent decades bringing nationally recognized performers to the region, continuing the legacy of his father, Anthony “Tony Mart” Marotta Sr., whose Somers Point nightclub helped shape the area’s music history.

In a recent conversation on the AC Mike Lopez Radio Show on WOND, Marotta talked about the process of finding artists, building relationships and creating shows that connect with audiences.

There is no simple formula for booking a great act

Marotta says booking entertainment is part science, part instinct.

Sometimes the process starts with an artist he has followed for years. Other times, agents reach out because they know Tony Mart Presents has built a reputation for treating musicians well and presenting quality shows.

“You develop relationships,” Marotta explained. “The agents know what we do, and the artists know what we do.”

Those relationships are critical in a business where many promoters are competing for the same performers.

Marotta has built a reputation for presenting artists who may not always be the biggest names on mainstream radio, but who have devoted audiences and bring something special to a live performance.

That approach has helped make Tony Mart’s free concert series in Somers Point and Atlantic City a destination for music fans.

Finding the right artist for the right audience

A major part of Marotta’s job is understanding the audience.

A blues artist might be perfect for one crowd. A classic rock tribute, funk band or New Orleans-inspired performer might work better for another.

“You have to know your audience,” is the philosophy behind many of his bookings.

That careful selection has resulted in performances from Grammy-winning musicians, legendary performers and influential artists from across the country.

The current Tony Mart Presents schedule includes acts spanning blues, rock, funk, R&B and roots music — genres that reflect both the history of the Jersey Shore music scene and the tastes of the people who attend the shows.

Carrying on the Tony Mart legacy

For Marotta, the work is personal.

His father’s legendary Tony Mart nightclub in Somers Point was a gathering place for musicians and fans during the golden age of rock and roll. The venue became part of music history, including connections to artists who would go on to international fame.

Today, Carmen and his wife Nancy continue that tradition through free outdoor concerts that bring people together.

The Somers Point Beach Concert Series has earned national recognition, including being named one of the country’s top outdoor concert series by USA Today readers.

The business of bringing free concerts to the public

While the shows are free to attendees, producing them is anything but simple.

There are artist fees, production costs, logistics, permits, sponsorships and countless details that must come together.

Marotta has spent years developing partnerships with community organizations, sponsors and supporters to keep the concerts accessible to the public.

And after decades in the business, he says the reward is seeing people enjoying the music.

That’s the real goal: creating memories.

“When people come out, dance, smile and have a good time — that’s what it’s about,” Marotta said.

More than a concert promoter

In an era when many communities struggle to maintain live music traditions, Carmen Marotta has become more than a booking agent.

He’s a caretaker of South Jersey’s musical identity.

Every summer, when the first notes ring out over the beach or boardwalk, the audience hears the performance.

But behind every song is a story — and often, a phone call from Carmen Marotta.