JOE D'URSO: Once again the roof was raised at the Jersey Shore by some of the best bands/musicians that I have been fortunate enough to befriend over the years. For the past three years we meet on the same weekend, which by no coincidence, coincides with the birthday of our good friend and music patron Bob Benjamin. Bob is the organizer of the best birthday party Jersey has ever seen and all proceeds go to the Parkinson Disease Foundation. Bob is a tireless supporter of PDF and a tireless supporter of music that he loves. Bob also has Parkinson's Disease but continues to inspire everyone he meets as he allows no obstacles to get in his way. All the musicians involved; the ones that he manages through his business, the ones that he knows through the Jersey Shore scene, the ones that play every show with all the energy and sincerity that they can muster and the one that sells out arenas and stadiums worldwide, all play Bob's birthday bash for the same reason, they like and respect Bob Benjamin. Who he is, and more importantly, what he has become and what he stands for. Let dreams live. Move forward. Let nothing hold you back. Joe D'Urso, November 4, 2002

The Danny White Band got the evening started off on the main stage.

BOBBY STRANGE: In an industry where looks, hype and the flavor of the day are so important, it's just nice to make a real difference. It's so pure, real and simple. You play your heart out, folks spend some hard earned bucks to see you and hopefully someday very soon one of those little dollars will be the one on that funds the cure. It really is the most rewarding thing we can do as musicians! Plus, it always a great thrill is to play with my heros – Gary and Bruce. As for myself personally, like every other singer/songwriter in the world, I'm working on my latest CD. LOL. I just got back a few weeks ago from my first west coast shows and had a blast. So it's got me inspired and back into the touring mode. This year it will be just a little more of what we do.....touring and recording then recording and touring. The only difference will be some of the touring this year will be also on my honeymoon!! [www.bobbystrange.com "the greatest songwriter the world has never known"]

Bocciagalupe, the evening's energitic MC, jumps on the Hammond during the Bad Boys' set.

BOCCIAGALUPE: I do the shows because Bob Benjamin is a friend of mine, who also suffers PD, it's my way of giving him something back. I don't know of any other way to help him. This year we added the ALS Project which hit home. A friend of mine was just diagnosed with ALS and my father passed away of the nightmare of a disease. So I take the Light of Day Shows very personally.

Joe D'Urso and Stone Caravan played a number of songs from their upcoming CD.

JASON SHAIN: I wanted to be a part of Light of Day after meeting Bob Benjamin and attending the prior 2 years events. I think playing benefits and fund-raisers are an obligation that I'm happy to fulfill. I depend on the general public to come out and see my shows. One way to say thanks is to use the music to give back to parts of different communities. Not only was it a good way to raise money for an obviously great cause; it was a new way to meet some musicians I've never played with, and to see some that I've joined on stage in the past. It was also great to be able to play at Tradewinds before it's unfortunate closing. The near future for me brings a show with Steve Forbert, a benefit for World Hunger Year, a great New Years Eve Show.. and much more. My debut CD, "Here I Am" is getting great reviews and is now available online (see artist links).

Holy sh*t! Gary U.S. Bonds' performance had the crowd rockin', laughing and singing along.

JOBONANNO AND THE GODSONS OF SOUL: For the past three years Jobonanno and The Godsons of Soul have performed at The Light of Day Concerts. "Every year were involved with many fundraisers but this event is close to my heart because of my 20 year friendship with Bob Benjamin." "Bob puts in 110% of his time and energy to make this cause successful every year." I can only hope and pray that a cure for this disease is truly "just around the corner". JB and The Godsons are currently recording a 13 song CD of original music at Shore Fire Studios in Long Branch, N.J. An early spring release is scheduled. For more info and tour dates: www.jobonanno.com

Highway 9's acoustic set featured tight harmonies and well-crafted songs.

DAVE HAYWOOD: Parkinsons Disease has afflicted my family and performing at the Tradewinds "Light of Day" benefit was very personal for me. Feels great knowing that Springsteen is behind this as well. Gives the cause the attention it deserves.

Garland Jeffreys joined the show with 96 Tears and Wild in the Streets.

GARLAND JEFFREYS: In the last few years my eyes have been opened. A couple of my dear friends, Denis Craine, and Mike Rubinstein have come down with ALS and Parkinson's. I was happy to participate in this year's fundraiser, and bring Mikey with me to introduce him to Bob. He really enjoyed being a part of it, and especially meeting Bruce and being on the side of the stage when I performed with Joe and Bruce. Mike lost his wife to Leukemia last month. Tragedy hits us all, and it's great to be of service when you can. Count me in for next year!!!

One of the evening's many hightlights — Bruce and Gary duet on Jole Blon.

For the musicians contributing their time and talent to this event there is definitely a personal connection. Bob Benjamin, who manages Grushecky and D'Urso and has worked with the other musicians on the bill, was diagnosed with PD six years ago at age 38.

Benjamin and others in the Parkinson's community feel that with all the new research, the lyrics 'we're just around the corner to the light of day' from Bruce Springsteen's "Light of Day" could well be their battle cry as research presses on.

PD is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that affects between one and one-and-a-half million Americans. Because it is not contagious and does not have to be reported by physicians, the incidence of PD is often underestimated. PD may appear at any age, but it is uncommon in people younger than 40, and the risk of developing it increases with age. It occurs in all parts of the world, and men are affected slightly more often than women.

The PDF is a national, non-profit organization with offices in New York City and Chicago. The PDF is dedicated to supporting and promoting the highest-quality research worldwide into the cause(s) and cure of PD, and for better symptomatic treatments. Founded in 1957, The PDF was the first private foundation in the United States created specifically to advance research into PD.

Light of Day III All-Stars: Jeffreys, Joebonanno, Grushecky, Bonds & Springsteen.

Related Links: For more information on LIGHT OF DAY and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links (Photos by Patricia A. Cacioppo) -- Light of Day | PDF.org | Project A.L.S. | Kristen Ann Carr Fund

(Originally Published on November 05, 2002)