Now, Ocean City is trying to cultivate a following for folk music. The resort will host the third-annual Folk Festival by the Sea on Sept. 29-30. Later this year, performer Arlo Guthrie will return to the island for a concert at the Music Pier.
“Everyone likes a good story well told,” said Jim Albertson, a folk singer from Atlantic City who will serve as emcee for the concerts. “If people see the real McCoy, it's good stuff.”
City spokesman Mark Soifer said folk music is a good opportunity for Ocean City because few other towns in southern New Jersey have such a festival. With commercial sponsors, the city can offer low-price concerts, he said.
“We can provide affordable programs. People thank us for offering things where they don't have to spend a lot of money,” Soifer said.
Tickets for the three concerts are $10 each or $25 for all three. The city will sponsor a free children's concert 1 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Music Pier.
“We're going to all the schools in Ventnor, Margate and Ocean City to get kids interested in coming,” Soifer said. “Once they get there and hear it, they will appreciate it.”
The performers will include Mary Zikos, a member of the Liverpool Judies sea shanty group, and the Delaware Valley Celtic Harp Orchestra.
Albertson, a board member of the New Jersey Folklore Society, sings and plays the dulcimer locally. He said he can give virtually the same performance to any age group.
With folk music, the focus is on the music not the musicians. That means Ocean City can afford to offer great music even if it is played by musicians whose names might not trip off the tongue, Albertson said.
“You don't need a big-name, high-priced star,” Albertson said. “We had two national guitar champions. The buzz that weekend was all about the guitar-picking champions.”
To e-mail Michael Miller at The Press: