Big Joe at the Light of Day music festival in Asbury Park

Last weekend was the kick-off of one of the best music festivals to hit New Jersey. It’s a festival that brings together the best musicians of New Jersey and those musicians who have found great success by playing here in The Great Garden State.

The Light of Day evolved back in November 1998 to celebrate the 40th birthday of artist manager and music industry veteran Bob Benjamin. It started at the then very intimate Downtown Bar in Red Bank with Bob asking those who attended to make a donation to The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, a disease which Bob Benjamin had unfortunately been diagnosed with.

That night in November of 1998 Bob raised $2,000 for the charity. Bob along with my friend and promoter Tony Pallagrossi formed Light of Day (named after the Bruce Springsteen song) and since 2000 upon it’s formation, Light of Day has raised over $3,000,000 and the music of great New Jersey musicians has expanded into 13 countries.

The picture above shows Bobby Bandiera ramping up the crowd with his unbridled talent at The Stone Pony last Sunday night. There are so many events this weekend that will go to support Light of Day. I strongly encourage you to go and see why I always say “there’s no better talent than right here in The Great Garden State”.

Support Light of Day, support local New Jersey musicians. I’ll see you there! For a full compliment of events and to learn more about Light of Day please go to lightofday.org.

Special thanks to Kathy Facciponti of Shoot Me for the photo.