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Derek Crider to headline at the Second Annual South Jersey Craft Beer, Food and Music Festival June 2

05/22/2018 | Media Contact: Amanda McCullough | 609-343-4923

The second annual South Jersey Craft Beer, Food and Music Festival, sponsored by Cat Country 107.3 Joe & Rachel Morning Show, is excited to announce Derek Crider as the live country entertainment at the festival happening June 2, at the Atlantic Cape Community College’s Mays Landing Campus, 5100 Black Horse Pike. Crider is an Atlantic Cape alumnus and Nashville/Mays Landing resident.

Combining elements of country, rock and soul, Derek Crider has forged a sound all his own. Hailing from Southern New Jersey, Crider started playing the guitar and writing songs at 13 years old, and was influenced by everything ranging from Motown to country.

“Growing up in my house, my parents listened to a very eclectic mix of music. My mom listened to a lot of Motown, and music from the 50s and 60s, and my dad listened to a lot of country and rock, everything from Hank Williams Jr. to Black Sabbath,” Crider said.

He started his first band with his brother and some high school friends and they performed at local parties for friends and family. This is where Crider honed his singing and performance skills. Their first official gig was at a local V.F.W. in Mays Landing. 

“I fell in love with songwriting and storytelling, that’s the one thing I always reveled in when listening to country music, not only the great musicianship but the amazing lyrical content and the incredible way those artists told their stories,” Crider remarked. It was at this point he realized his love for performing and writing his own songs.

After graduating Oakcrest High School, he attended Atlantic Cape and received his associate degree in liberal arts. He then went on to Rowan University to complete his bachelor’s degree in communication. During this period, Crider spent time writing songs and playing locally in popular clubs and bars around campus. After graduating, he pursued his love for playing and songwriting and released his debut album, “Lost & Found” in March 2015

 “I’m excited to be back home and looking forward to seeing my friends from Oakcrest High School and Atlantic Cape, while playing country music for all the people who just want to get out and have a good time,” Crider concluded.

To purchase your tickets to the South Jersey Craft Beer, Food and Music Festival, visit https://sjcraftbeerfestival.eventbrite.com/. Must be 21 to sample. Visit the festival’s Facebook page for updates at https://www.facebook.com/SJBeerFoodMusicFest/. The concert is included in the cost of the festival admission.

Learn more about Derek Crider and his music at http://derekcrider.com.