Enjoy an evening of classic music and support Ocean County College when one of the country's best Fleetwood Mac tribute bands performs April 7 at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts.
For five aspiring musicians growing up in 1970s New Jersey, the release of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” in 1977 was life-changing.
Still, none suspected that more than 40 years later they’d be performing songs from that critically-acclaimed album as TUSK, one of the country’s best known tribute bands.
“The best thing is when people say they like our show as much or better as Fleetwood Mac,” TUSK guitarist/vocalist Scott McDonald said. “We think that is a little insane, but it’s a very nice thing for people to say.”
The band will perform a benefit concert April 7 at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts.
Some of the concert proceeds will support the Ocean County College Foundation, a private non-profit organization that has supported OCC with scholarships, endowments and other projects for more than 50 years. A smaller portion will be donated to the OCC Repertory Theatre Company.
Since 1965, the foundation has been distributed more than $ 15 million in merit- and need-based scholarships and special programming since 1965. In fiscal year 2016-2017, the foundation awarded $ 538,562 worth of scholarships. The foundation also holds more than $ 12 million in endowed funds. OCC has more than 7,000 full- and part-time students.
“For some of our students, OCC is their best and last chance for a college education,” said Kenneth Malagiere, the foundation’s executive director. “For others, it’s a choice, an option that’s better than starting at a traditional four-year institution.”
The five members of TUSK have played together for more than 25 years — McDonald has been friends with drummer Tom Nelson since the two were in Little League together growing up in neighboring Hunterdon County towns. All were Fleetwood Mac fans but it was a friend who suggested they perform the band’s music as well as the original works.
“We started and thought it would be a local thing, just for fun, and 10 years later it’s gone far beyond what we all thought it would be,” McDonald said.
TUSK concerts focus on the music the Fleetwood Mac — the line-up of Mick Fleetwood, Christine and John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks — recorded and released between 1975 and 1979. In addition to the “Rumours” album –which featured “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams,” “Don’t Stop” and “You Make Loving Fun” –includes songs like “Rhiannon.” The band also sells CDs with its original music recorded under the name Stockton Bridge.
“People come see us because we play all the hits,” said McDonald, who takes on Lindsey Buckingham‘s role during performances. “It’s a great escape for a couple of hours and a chance to have some fun.”
“Rumours,” he said, “was a great album to be influenced by.” One day, the members of TUSK hope to meet the people who originated the song they pay tribute to.
Said McDonald “We’d love to tell (Fleetwood Mac) how much their music means to us.”
TUSK — A Benefit Concert
Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts
College Drive, Toms River
Tickets: $ 45-100, available online at http://www.grunincenter.org. April 7.
Natalie Pompilio is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. She can be reached at nataliepompilio@yahoo.com. Find her on Twitter @nataliepompilio. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.