By: Rashad Uhuru, Follow South Jersey Community Journalist
WEST BERLIN, N.J. – Every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Tapped Bar (Palace Diner) the Deck Band hosts an open stage, giving an opportunity for all acts to show their stuff.
What is the Deck Band?
The Deck Band is a high energy party group that covers all different genres like dance, rock, pop, 80’S, R&B, country & oldies for all different listeners like you, me, and anyone else who is ready to have a good time.
Members like Billy D Light, lead guitarist of the band, have such joy for playing.
Light is a full time musician and says music has been the cornerstone of everything he has ever done in his life. This sort of passion for playing radiates throughout the entirety of the Deck Band and has for over 20 years.
The spirited environment created by the band partners with talented acts that come out every week, making for a great energy that carries through the entire night.
The Power of an Open Stage
There are many different factors that make this setting what it is. First off you never know what you’re going to get.
Light spoke about how there are no restrictions as to who can come out and perform. Maybe it’s a group performing together for the first time, figuring things out. Light feels there is a true power in this.
“It gives you a chance to create it yourselves in the moment and anything can happen at that point,” Light said. “That’s why it becomes cool, because of the interaction of the musicians on stage.”
This sort of comforting, fun-loving environment makes for a great first time performing venue for artists.
More experienced artists also frequent these open stages, artists like Gary Kelley, an 86 year old who plays the pedal steel guitar, has been going for 6 years. He offers something different.
Light describes him as a “master” and says his playing “sounds like the most beautiful thing you’ve ever heard in your life.”
One way or another you are welcome, and it doesn’t have to be just music. Light explained just how open the stage really is.
“You’re a mime? Come do that. Whatever you do, tell jokes, I don’t care, if you bring something to the people the stage is open for you,” Light said.
The Power of a Lively Audience
The audience shares this same love for music. Seeing just how real and raw the delight for playing is for these artists helps the people get into it, and everyone feeds off of each other.
Light highlighted the importance of this relationship. “When you deliver with authenticity people buy in,” he said.
If you are someone you know is interested in coming out to play, Light has this to say to you.
“I always say the same thing, man, come, play, sing, do your thang, or just listen. Whatever it is you got going on you’re welcome here, come and do it,” Light said.
For additional information, visit their Facebook page and their website.
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