By John Spinelli
HOLMDEL – Although commonly known as a summer hangout, the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel is also the place to be in autumn. Fans still have time to catch a show – and some fall foliage – before the amphitheater closes for the season.
This summer was another successful year at the music venue that hosts acts as varied as ZZ Top, Snoop Dogg and Kidz Bop, but since the late 2010s there has been a burgeoning trend at the arena in the heart of Bruce country.
When people think of New Jersey music, the names and genres that come to mind are Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston – classic rock and pop. Maybe Frank Sinatra, Lauryn Hill and Queen Latifah – standards and rap.
But what about boots and Stetson hats? No? Well, you should be, because according to the sales statistics this year, country music is king in the Two River area.
Seven shows sold out this season at the 17,500-seat venue operated by Live Nation and four of them were country acts – Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Eric Church and the Zac Brown Band. (The other three were Fall Out Boy, Big Time Rush and the Dave Matthews Band.)
“I’m not exactly sure why the whole country music scene is becoming so popular in our area,” said Colette Lichtenstein, 23, from Middletown, “but I think it’s been a positive thing.”
“People can really relate to the major themes that you find in country music such as having pride in your country, being a hard worker, and placing high values on relationships with friends and family.”
First opened in 1968 by the New Jersey Highway Authority, the then-Garden State Arts Center was intended as an amphitheater for classical and cultural music, built as an addition to the new Garden State Parkway. Holmdel’s central location was an ideal place for New Jerseyeans across the state to meet.
In the 1970s the trends changed and the venue became known for major classic rock acts. Some of the famous artists who played there include Janis Joplin, Peter Frampton, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Santana, and James Taylor.
By the 1980s and ’90s, the venue settled into offering a mix of rock and pop, with acts like Jefferson Starship, Jimmy Buffett, Yes, Aerosmith, Steve Winwood, the Beach Boys, and Tom Petty.
By the 2000s, newer pop and R&B stars started showing up, including Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, Bare Naked Ladies and Pitbull.
And now country acts have joined the party.
“This year I saw Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt and Dan & Shay at PNC,” Lichtenstein said. “Last year I also saw Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Darius Rucker.”
She also said the arts center isn’t the only place to see live country music in the area, noting that local bars are hosting more country music cover bands.
“My personal favorite is Big Hix. They started as a local country music cover band and have become popular in our area, always bringing in a large crowd for the bars that they’re playing at,” Lichtenstein said. “They play almost weekly at Proving Ground, and you can expect to have a great night, with people packed inside and outside of the bar to enjoy their music.”
There are two more concerts in the PNC Bank Arts Center season: 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes & Jeremih Sept. 20 and Zac Brown Band, King Calaway & Tenille Townes Oct. 7. Tickets are available at pncbankartscenter.org.
This article originally appeared in the September 14 – 20, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
