This week, we hit the Shamrock Café in search of our next honored bartender. We had heard rumors that the Shamrock was home to one of our county’s only and extremely entertaining singing bartenders…The rumors are true. Billy Jack has been wowing Wildwood crowds since 1977 when he first began playing at the former Barefoot Bar of Diamond Beach. After the Barefoot closed, Billy Jack brought his acoustic and vocal talents to the Shamrock Café of Pacific Avenue. Twenty two year later, he continues to draw flocks of loyal patrons and lots of laughs. Billy Jack is originally from Manasquan, New Jersey, and first realized his love for music at the ripe age of 9 years old. After watching The Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show, he was inspired to perform in the spirit of these icons. He began learning the guitar and later began accompanying his playing with lively vocals.
Today, Billy Jack continues to perform and “loves bringing people together” with his tunes. He specializes in classic rock, sing-along, country, and parody songs, but he also likes to ask patrons for requests of some of their favorites. The best part about his Shamrock bartending gig? “I just love people. I love to introduce everyone that steps into the bar. Before you know it, they’re buying each other drinks,” he laughs. When he’s off the clock, Billy Jack loves to go dancing to let loose. His drink of choice is a cold Corona, best enjoyed at his “home base”, The Shamrock. Shamrock patron Andy Honorato confirms that Billy Jack is in fact “a legend”. Meet the man behind the legend on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays behind the Shamrock’s sprawling wrap-around bar. Swing by in time for Happy Hour daily from 4 to 7 p.m. and enjoy $2.50 domestics or pints and ½ price apps.
By Meg Kummer