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Springsteen Adds a Shot of Bruce Juice to Ongoing Effort to Save the Upstage Club
Why was a long-defunct Asbury Park nightspot so important to Bruce Springsteen that he mentioned it in the first sentence of his speech to induct his E Street Band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? He would cite The Upstage Club two more times in the first three minutes of the ceremonies celebrated last week at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, New York.
 Author Carrie Potter Devening hopes third time is the charm for the Save the Upstage effort. The answer is because The Upstage was where the Boss honed his skills on guitar and as a bandleader. It was the literal proving ground for the man who would later go on to prove it all night, every night in arenas and stadiums around the world for the past four decades.
Author Carrie Potter Devening - the granddaughter of the original Upstage Club proprietors Tom and Margaret Potter - is hoping that three's a charm as she begins another attempt to save the historic rock club. This legendary venue was open from 1968-1971. The Upstage was the place where young, up and coming artists at the Jersey Shore honed their skills, found the instrument they were destined to play, and jammed with many musicians discovering the best "mix".
During that period The Upstage Club provided an atmosphere where music brought people from all walks of life together during a highly volatile climate. Music was their saving grace - a sanctuary from the harsh world around them. Springsteen repeatedly cited the club's foundational importance to the E Street Band during his induction speech last week.
 Carrie Potter Devening's book and the building she wants to save! Carrie Potter Devening has dedicated over a decade now to the cause of re-establishing The Upstage Club in Asbury Park. She had access to much of the memorabilia containing the history, photos and stories documenting the importance of Asbury Park's Upstage Club and the Green Mermaid Caf . She has brought them all together in a book of the same name. Now, the building is back on the market. Carrie will need well over a million dollars for the purchase and renovation of the establishment that she so clearly loves. Yet her timing is impeccable considering Springsteen's induction speech. Still, time is of the essence. Potter Devening is seeking contributions to rebuild The Upstate Club via crowd-sourcing along with the sale of T-shirts bearing the original Upstage logo. Amazingly, Carrie Potter Devening was front and center wearing her Upstage Club T-shirt at the Springsteen concert in Dallas during the 2014 Final Four weekend. She was featured as part of the picture package on the official BruceSpringsteen.net home page. Carrie also shot the hilarious video below of fans supporting her effort to SAVE THE UPSTAGE! What would be even more amazing is if Potter Devening can achieve her dream to restore the Upstage Club to its rightful place on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park with its original mission revived. A mission to provide a creative, safe spot for musicians to meet and develop their craft. This could be her third and final chance. You can help make it happen at the links provided below:
 Will Bruce Springsteen - seen here in Asbury Park, New Jersey - jam at the Upstage Club again? Related Links: For more information on SAVE THE UPSTAGE and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links - Carrie Potter on Twitter | ForMusicSake on Twitter
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