Steve Forbert
By WILLIAM CLARK
Musician Steve Forbert will be taking the stage of the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove Oct. 19.
The event will be special for the singer/songwriter who has frequented other local venues in the past but will perform at the historic building for the first time.
It’s a good alternative to bars and restaurants he has played in the area, he said.
“It’s a nice new thing,” he said.
The show will be the first event by Split Level Concerts which is producing the series of shows on a variety of Saturdays through April. Other performers in the singer/songwriter series include Brian Dunne Nov. 16. Griffin House Dec. 21, Jill Sobute Jan. 11 and Maia Sharp/Antje Duvekot Feb. 26.
Forbert and his guitar will be joined by musicians on the keys and upright bass.
Forbert is supporting his 21st album, Daylight Savings Time. The new collection of songs took some time to write. With the distractions that come with life, the songs need time to grow and finalize, he said.
“What I’m concerned with is just getting the song to where it’s worth presenting to people,” he said.
One track, Sound Existence, is reflective of his station in life as he approaches 70 years old. Forbert said the lyrics reflect an older person into his retirement age and the life he now lives.
But the soon to be septuagenarian has no plans to retire anytime soon. Standing under the lights trying to express the feelings of each song on his set list is where he feels comfortable.
“I just like playing. I’ve been playing since I was a teenager. I’ve been doing this for 45 years,” he said. “It’s just like a fish in water. I don’t think a lot about the water.”
Forbert expects to see people in the audience that have followed his journey for many years.
“It’s mainly people my age,” he said. “That’s who I’m singing to.”
Forbert appreciates the effort that it takes the audience to be there with him.
His catalog includes over 200 songs, not including his cover album Early Morning Rain in which he pays tribute to some of his favorite singer songwriters.
Forbert has been an active musician since 1976. His track Romeo’s Tune hit number 11 on the pop charts several years later.
Tickets for the 8 p.m. event can be found on jerseyshoreartscenter.org.
