Beach Music Studios

Matawan rocker Danny White has invented a mini musical community in Belmar. Beach Music Studios, which he opened this month, will provide area musicians with a creation-friendly environment.

"It will be a place where people can come and be creative," White said. "A place where people can talk and learn about music."

Its two band rooms and one acoustic room for rehearsals are intended to give musicians a place to write and practice without the normal distractions - such as smoke and faulty equipment - getting in the way.

"This is a comfortable atmosphere for anybody to come in and be creative," White said.

White - who has been a popular singer/songwriter on the east coast for a number of the years - has come up with something that stands out uniquely from the ordinary rehearsal studios in the area. Beach Music Studios will include live music nights, instrument clinics and workshops. Musicians who want to come in and brainstorm their song ideas without the rest of the band present can use the acoustic room.

"It's about the music," White said. "If you want to come and practice and you are serious about music, then it's a great place for that."

White has appeared each year at the annual Light of Day concert to raise money for Parkinson's disease, where he has shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen. The concert has been held at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park, and the now-demolished Tradewinds, Sea Bright. White's most recent album was produced by Mike Wanchic, a guitar player from John Mellencamp's band.

The studio is tailored for younger artists, but conducive for musicians of any level. It will be open for lessons from 3-8 p.m. Following that, the rooms will be open for rehearsals.

Tommy Anton - an established area singer/songwriter and drummer, who has played with artists including Josh Zandman, will give drum, guitar and vocal lessons. Jerry "The Legend" Pashind will teach band instruments such as the saxophone and trumpet. Pashind - a former music teacher in the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District - will also teach a course in "advanced music theory."

"Which is pretty unique," White said. "There are not many places that do that."

The live shows and coffee house nights will provide "an unplugged type of feel," and will give those receiving the lessons a chance to display what they have learned, White said.

During the workshops, guest local musicians will examine topics such as songwriting and the history of the Asbury Park music scene.

The studio will give young people a chance to express themselves musically in a "cool, clean atmosphere," and a safe area, White said.

Each rehearsal room will contain drums, PA systems and microphones. White said he is deciding on whether or not to provide amplifiers. He said he personally prefers to bring his own amp to a rehearsal studio, so he can practice with his own sound.

"We're going to talk to bands that we already know are coming and find out what they do," White said.

Lessons will be $20 per half hour and will be available in all instruments and age groups. They are open to artists of any level from beginner to advanced. The rehearsal rooms will cost $20 per hour. A DJ service will be available for birthdays and weddings. Guitar and amp repairs and music accessories will be provided at the studio.

Those who present this article at Beach Music Studios and sign up for one month of lessons will get their first lesson free.

The studio is located at 808 Belmar Plaza, Belmar, New Jersey 07719. For more information, call (732) 280-1181.