By: Shane Bagot, Follow South Jersey Community Journalist
WARETOWN, N.J. – South Jersey is home to one of the most storied venues in the state. In 1974, Albert Music Hall became the home for musicians and fans of bluegrass, country, Americana, folk, and Pinelands music or Jersey folk. The origins of the venue trace back to the 30s and 40s with George and Joseph Albert.
George and Joseph Albert first built a hunting lodge in the woods of Waretown as they fell in love with the place. They would hunt through the day and jam together in the night. Soon, other curious people would join in and play with them. Every Saturday, bigger crowds would come to play and write songs about the culture of the Pine Barrens. This would continue until the unfortunate death of George Albert in 1974. Which, by word of mouth and a National Geographic article about the music, was becoming too much to deal with for Joseph.
That’s when some of the musicians decided to rent out a room at the Waretown Auction Hall for a one-night show for the folks to come together once again. It turned out to be a success and eventually became the regular place for the musicians of the Pinelands to play music. A year later, they made it official with the addition of the Pinelands Culture Society. It is an all-volunteer, non-profit society dedicated to preserving the history and culture of music and the area. They held these shows until a fire destroyed the Auction Hall in 1992.
Artists like Pete Seeger and Alison Krauss came to Waretown to raise money for the construction of the new venue. It would pay off, as in 1996, they would break ground in the current building that stands today. The grand opening of the venue was on January 5, 1997, with over 1,100 people attending.
Over the years of the ups and downs, the venue has built up a connection and camaraderie with its supporters. President of the society, Danielle Marrone, says the feeling is unmatched. Calling it a community rather than a venue.
“There’s nothing like it,” Marrone said. “I always say Albert Hall is a feeling. Albert Hall is not the building; it’s not one thing. It’s the feeling you leave with, and you have your connection with it…But those who come back, come back because they have their connection.”
Recently, they had a few 50th anniversary celebrations alongside some special events like Elvis night. August 10 was their Pineystock show, which is their version of Woodstock. They played music from that era, with classic songwriters from the ’60s and ’70s coming to perform. Nights like that show off the great local music of South Jersey that Marrone speaks so highly of.
With their songwriter series, they allow artists and bands who play this type of music to be seen and heard. Marrone and the society understand that this type of music isn’t the most popular with bars and other venues. They try to give them a platform where they can express themselves as they want. The society knows the community they have built will understand and appreciate them like no other.
This is exemplified by their picking shed, which is just next door to the venue. This is a free building open anytime and to anyone to come jam together. Sharing songs and learning from each other about the culture of the Pinelands. It has been the birthplace of many bands coming together.
Marrone and the society are very humbled to have such an impact on the music community in South Jersey. This is not without understanding their positions and responsibilities.
“We feel as a group, the board and the volunteers, we just feel honored that we’re embraced so much,” Marrone said. “The way we look at it, we feel like we’re the caretakers right now. It’s our responsibility to keep it sustainable and pass it on to the next generation that’s gonna do their part.”
They want to make sure to take care of and nurture it for the next generation. So they can feel it, embrace it, and pass it on to the next generations when it is their time to.
To learn more about the history and upcoming events of the Albert Music Hall, click here for their website.
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