Light of Day Benefit Concert • June 28 • 7:30 PM 

Guy Davis, internationally known blues singer; Jake Thistle, young singer-songwriter inspired by Jackson Browne; Joe D’ Urso, singer-songwriter who takes inspiration from Harry Chapin; and the acclaimed young blues singer Miss Emily are the featured artists for this songwriters-in-the round benefit concert. Other artists will join this incredible lineup, and  nne never knows what performers  may show up at an LoD show! 

The Light of Day Foundation, Inc., utilizes the power of music to raise money and awareness in its continuing battle to defeat Parkinson’s disease and its related illnesses ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) within our lifetime. The Foundation’s mission is to fund research into cures, improved treatments and support for patients who suffer from those illnesses, their families and their caregivers to help improve their quality of life. Since its inception in 2000, Light of Day has raised over $5.75 million in the fight to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. What began as a single concert in New Jersey has grown into approximately seventy shows in thirteen countries on 3 continents including North America, Europe and Australia!

The concerts and the organization began as a birthday party in November 1998 at the Downtown Cafe in Red Bank, NJ to celebrate the 40th birthday of artist manager and music industry veteran Bob Benjamin. Benjamin had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, and in lieu of gifts, asked that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Over $2,000 was raised that night. Spurred by the generosity and support, Benjamin reached out to friends, including concert promoter Tony Pallagrosi and musician Joe D’Urso, and formed the Light of Day charity, taking its name from a Bruce Springsteen song.

The first official Light of Day concert was held at Asbury Park, NJ’s legendary Stone Pony in November 2000 and primarily featured local, unsigned artists. The critically acclaimed Pittsburgh-based band Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers (managed by Benjamin) headlined the show, which featured a surprise appearance by local hero Bruce Springsteen, who joined the Houserockers for a raucous hour-long set.