AS VAUGHAN PENN racks up a third week on the SNS 100 with "Bands on the Beach", and other beach music artists invading the upper part of my chart, women singer/songwriters from my previous state of New Jersey are doing their share to be heard, in spite of no radio formats, or regional charts to acknowledge their talents.
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| New Jersey singer-songwriters scoring high on the SNS 100 this week include, left to right, Kelli Bruno, Sarah Teti, and C. Lynne Smith |
On the latest SNS 100, Cape May's C. Lynne Smith moves from 13 to 11 with "A Little Faith", while Metuchen's Sarah Teti advances 23-19 with "Borrowed Time", and New Brunswick's Kelli Bruno goes 34-33 with "Love and Games". All three songs are still bulleted on the chart, indicating significant point gains.
And while there are no established charts like the several ones here at the Grand Strand, these singer/songwriters are making themselves heard, playing many venues across the Garden State. And while both C. Lynne and Sarah have been to the top echelon before---each has had two top tens here on SNS---their dedication and hard work, they are playing many gigs along Cape May and Central Jersey, respectively. Kelli Bruno, who recently played Roselle Park's Arts Festival a couple months back, is actively playing as well.
Per her website, C. Lynne Smith grew up in the Philadelphia area, and she described herself that, if Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge had a child, she would be it. Her talents were discovered at a young age: in sixth grade, she won a talent contest singing Cher's "I Hate to Sleep Alone". She took up the guitar back then as well, but took a while later to delve into songwriting. Her music has transcended genres, and that was evident in her 2006 recorded debut EP, Real, all recorded in her home. And while I've yet to see her play live, it was during the pandemic that I "discovered" her, as she produced a series of Facebook live videos. As a result, the title track, was added to my chart, fourteen years later, and peaked at #3. She has opened for acts such as The Outlaws, and Jonatha Brooke. Her current album, Taking the Long Way contains "A Little Faith". You can catch her in the Philadelphia, South Jersey, and Delaware areas. Her website is CLynneSmith.com.
Sarah Teti, originally from North Plainfield, and now lives in Metuchen, has been at it for quite a while as well. Originally known as Sarah Jean, she was a fixture with the North Jersey studio group The Hounds of Winter, and that group backed her up on her two albums, Sarah Jean and the Hounds of Winter, and Girl Will Run. She's also noted for her rendition of the Joni Mitchell classic track, "River". "Borrowed Time" is her first release in over ten years. We were lucky to catch her a few years ago performing at the Gladstone Inn, in Peapack-Gladstone NJ. She'll be back there July 17, and August 7, and at the J.J. Bitting Brewing Co in Woodbridge June 19 and 26. Her website is sarahteti.com
Finally, we have Kelli Bruno, originally from Cranford NJ, and like C. Lynne, took up music at an early age. Her path is similar to another budding Union County singer-songwriter, Charlotte Sessions (and hoping we'll get some new music soon from her as well), in that she was not only performing, but teaching as well. Graduating from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania with a BA in Music and Film, she performed solo in New York City, while at the same time working full-time for the non-profit Musicians on Call. After leaving there, she started concentrating fully on performing and teaching. Kelli has released two albums thus far: 2018's Nomahegan (named after a local park in Cranford), and 2022's Company. "Love and Games" was released in 2024 and was added to SNS after her Roselle Park (the town next door to Cranford) Arts performance in April. Aside from her solo work, she also is a member of the cover band MUSHMOUTH. Kelli's web page is kellibruno.com.
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| Ariana Grande's new single, "Hate That I Made You Love Me", debuts at #1 on this week's Billboard Hot 100. |
HOT 100: If you were wondering if Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" would be returning to the top spot on the Hot 100 once Drake inevitably surrendered that position with "Janice STFU", you could be forgiven. Yes, Drake's song drops to #3, but we have a new debut at #1, that being the latest from Ariana Grande, "Hate That I Made You Love Me". "Choosin' Texas" stays at #2, while Ella's other song "Be Her" drops a notch to #4. "I Just Might" by Bruno Mars moves back to #5. As for the two Olivia Dean songs, "Man I Need" moves back ahead of "So Easy To Fall in Love", occupying the 6 and 7 spots, respectively. Drake's "Shabang" is #8, and yet another Ella song, the duet with Morgan Wallen, "I Can't Love You Anymore" moves up to #9. Tame Impala's "Dracula" moves back to #10. Next week, as of now, it looks like there's a new Taylor Swift song coming out that may take the top spot. Fear not, it's just one song, so hopefully there won't be another chart bomb like the one Drake just had.
Speaking of Drake, another three songs drop off the chart, but he still has 25 songs there, including two aforementioned songs in the top 10. "Billie Jean" is STILL in the top 20 (#19), and "Chicago", which debuted at #30 last week, moves up to #26.
SNS 100: Turning to my chart, as mentioned above, Vaughan Penn logs a third week here with "Bands on the Beach". The song is still building at beach music radio, as it is #1 on The Wave survey for a fourth week. It's in the top three just about everywhere else and has the potential to rival North Tower's "Pretty Lady" in the near future. Scotland's Brooke Combe, who, along with Jalen Ngonda, is set for a U.S. tour this fall with a stop in Charlotte on November 18, moves up to #2 with "Tears Won't Lie". Now these two retro-soul artists would be perfect to play here in Myrtle Beach, as they're both components of Northern Soul which is similar to beach music here. Ella has the next two spots with "Be Her" and "Choosin' Texas", thus once again, women hold the top four spots on my chart.
There are no new entries in the top 10 this week, but Deb Browning & Townsend Link's "The Sea, Sand and You" (7-6), The Tams' "I Tried" (8-7) , and Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson's "Too Late" (10-8) are all advancing.
New to the Top 20 this week is yet another duet, Jennifer James and Brad Cox with "Suspicious Minds" snagging the Impact award this week (23-15), giving Ms. James two songs in the top 20 ("Takin' It Easy" is at #10). The Voice winner Alexia Jayy's "Rent Free" (22-17), Sarah Teti's "Borrowed Time" (23-19) and the second top 20 from indie rockers The Chelsea Curve, "Ride" (25-20). Just outside the top 20 we have The Black Keys' "Where There's Smoke There's Fire" moving 37-22 despite still being ignored by radio (what gives? They can keep playing bands like Sublime, Weezer, Muse and The Strokes ad infinitum, but not a band that just last year, hit #1 on the alternative chart?) The Mover of the Week is The Six Piece Suits' "High Tide, High Life" moving from 81 to 48.
NEWBIES: Some interesting adds this week, as The Womack Sisters follow up their top five "I Just Don't Want You (To Say Goodbye)" with "You Went Away Too Long", the Top Debut at #85. With an organ-led haunting intro, it's a classic piece of retro soul, that takes you back decades, and it's the perfect follow-up.
But it's the next debut that is significant, "Home to Us" by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, at #93. Yes, it's the two surviving members of The Beatles. Both artists have released albums recently, and this one is from Paul's new one, The Boys of Dungeon Lane. They look back at their golden age with this nice bouncy song, mostly sung by Ringo, but both of them sing harmony as well.
Turning to beach music, Michael Bright makes his SNS debut with "Nothing Else Will Do" at #95. The horns start things off, and another one about beach life in NMB life being a good one, with a melodic touch to it. We also have the first SNS entry for The Feature Attraction Band, or "FAB" as they're known, "Call Me", at #100, which features Kim Clary out in front with an exceptional vocal. This one is more of a smooth ballad, that's very down to earth and captures the spirit of the area. A nice slow dance on here.
AND BUBBLING UNDER: Several songs enter the Tremors chart this week. Trails and Ways hit #1 on the blog way back in 2012, with "Nunca", then a top ten four years later with "My Things", return with "Next of Kin". This is their first release since then, and it's nice to see that they haven't strayed too far from that sound. Nice, comfortable and laid back, there are traces of "Nunca" but still fresh enough. Some good harmonies here.......UltraBomb is next with "Looking Forward in Anger", some jamming indie-rock here, the band keeps it together here with the guitar work.....Olivia Rodrigo's "The Cure", which debuted in the Hot 100's top five last week, (it's #11 this week), is a ballad of sorts. And if you're wondering about the title, yet, it does take inspiration from classic band The Cure, but of course, the texture of the song is definitely Olivia's. Should do better than "Drop Dead" which nonetheless is still rising at #49 this week......Speaking of Sublime, their current alternative #1 "Until the Sun Explodes" is in their classic ska-inspired mode.....Finally, we have "Picking Dragons Pockets" by Modest Mouse, a little more alt-pop with a rhythm not too far from their 2000's "Float On".
SUMMING UP: Congratulations to Karen Wallo, who once again finished first in her group, and being in the top five, in the ongoing The People's Artist competition that is sponsored by Johnny Depp and the Art of Elysium Salon. She thus moves to the quarterfinals which will combine all of the other individual groups. Voting will resume on June 15.
AND FINALLY: Prayers go out to Sharon Woodruff of the beach music outfit The Main Event Band, as she is fighting cancer and going through rounds of chemo. Wishing her a successful recovery!
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
June 7, 2026
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  (Single Release) (3 Weeks at #1) |
10 |
|
2 |
3 |
10 |
|
|
3 |
4 |
15 |
|
|
4 |
2 |
21 |
|
|
5 |
5 |
10 |
|
|
6 |
7 |
6 |
|
|
7 |
8 |
9 |
|
|
8 |
6 |
17 |
|
|
9 |
10 |
8 |
|
|
10 |
9 |
11 |
|
|
11 |
13 |
13 |
|
|
12 |
12 |
11 |
|
|
13 |
15 |
7 |
|
|
14 |
11 |
15 |
|
|
15 |
21 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  (Single Release) |
4 |
|
16 |
14 |
11 |
|
|
17 |
22 |
6 |
|
|
18 |
16 |
13 |
|
|
19 |
23 |
11 |
|
|
20 |
25 |
5 |
|
|
21 |
18 |
12 |
|
|
22 |
37 |
3 |
|
|
23 |
20 |
9 |
|
|
24 |
36 |
3 |
|
|
25 |
29 |
7 |
|
|
26 |
19 |
38 |
|
|
27 |
17 |
14 |
|
|
28 |
30 |
8 |
|
|
29 |
32 |
7 |
|
|
30 |
35 |
6 |
|
|
31 |
39 |
4 |
|
|
32 |
31 |
8 |
|
|
33 |
34 |
7 |
|
|
34 |
38 |
6 |
|
|
35 |
49 |
4 |
|
|
36 |
26 |
19 |
|
|
37 |
51 |
4 |
|
|
38 |
44 |
5 |
|
|
39 |
27 |
11 |
|
|
40 |
45 |
8 |
|
|
41 |
53 |
4 |
|
|
42 |
24 |
16 |
|
|
43 |
47 |
6 |
|
|
44 |
28 |
16 |
|
|
45 |
81 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  (Single Release) |
2 |
|
46 |
40 |
18 |
|
|
47 |
76 |
2 |
|
|
48 |
33 |
17 |
|
|
49 |
56 |
7 |
|
|
50 |
64 |
3 |
|
|
51 |
62 |
5 |
|
|
52 |
71 |
3 |
|
|
53 |
69 |
4 |
|
|
54 |
77 |
3 |
|
|
55 |
78 |
2 |
|
|
56 |
58 |
20 |
|
|
57 |
59 |
8 |
|
|
58 |
61 |
6 |
|
|
59 |
63 |
13 |
|
|
60 |
66 |
6 |
|
|
61 |
67 |
4 |
|
|
62 |
43 |
10 |
|
|
63 |
73 |
5 |
|
|
64 |
41 |
11 |
|
|
65 |
42 |
21 |
|
|
66 |
46 |
17 |
|
|
67 |
80 |
3 |
|
|
68 |
54 |
18 |
|
|
69 |
70 |
8 |
|
|
70 |
48 |
14 |
|
|
71 |
52 |
14 |
|
|
72 |
83 |
3 |
|
|
73 |
85 |
3 |
|
|
74 |
92 |
2 |
|
|
75 |
89 |
2 |
|
|
76 |
57 |
15 |
|
|
77 |
82 |
3 |
|
|
78 |
65 |
6 |
|
|
79 |
88 |
2 |
|
|
80 |
91 |
2 |
|
|
81 |
50 |
19 |
|
|
82 |
55 |
12 |
|
|
83 |
68 |
18 |
|
|
84 |
87 |
3 |
|
|
85 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  Album: The Womack Sisters |
1 |
|
86 |
60 |
9 |
|
|
87 |
79 |
6 |
|
|
88 |
96 |
2 |
|
|
89 |
74 |
16 |
|
|
90 |
94 |
2 |
|
|
91 |
95 |
2 |
|
|
92 |
100 |
2 |
|
|
93 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
94 |
72 |
14 |
|
|
95 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
96 |
101 |
1 |
|
|
97 |
90 |
18 |
|
|
98 |
75 |
10 |
|
|
99 |
84 |
18 |
|
|
100 |
--- |
1 |
Tremors:
101. Trails and Ways, Next of Kin
102. Ultrabomb, Looking Forward in Anger
103. Olivia Rodrigo, The Cure
104. Grace Potter, Love Me Not
105. Sublime, Until the Sun Explodes
106. Modest Mouse, Picking Dragons Pockets
Tremors: Songs which have steady or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS 100.
Murmurs:
sombr - Potential
Murmurs: Songs which are in the queue for future adds onto the Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist.
|
Songs with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week
●Songs garnering 25 plays on Spotify (“Scrobbles”) according to Last.Fm (effective October 2024) ▲ Songs garnering 50 plays.
Songs on the SNS 100 are included on the following public Spotify playlists
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves Top 40: Contains songs in positions 1-40 on the SNS 100
Scenes 41-100 and Newbies Songs in Positions 41-100 on the SNS 100 plus new additions
Scenes Recurrents: Songs which had been in the top 20 and/or songs on the chart 25 weeks or more, that have dropped off the SNS 100.
(Rob Sheldon is a music fan who has followed music trends the past 60 years, and covers new and classic music, specializing in pop, rock, alternative, beach, soul and country genres). He can be contacted at rsheldonx4804@gmail.com
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