Today marks the 22nd year of Light of Day, a festival that grew from a birthday party and fund-raiser held in 1998. It celebrated the 40th birthday of artist manager and music industry veteran Bob Benjamin, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1996. Twenty-two years later, the Light of Day has become a much anticipated event for the music community and a formidable fundraiser for the fight against Parkinson’s Disease.
The main show of the 2022 Light of Day WinterFest takes place March 12 at 6:50 p.m. at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. Headliners include Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers, Willie Nile, Jesse Malin and Joe D’Urso & Stone Caravan. Other performers will include The Weeklings, Remember Jones, Steve Forbert, Guy Davis, James Maddock, Williams Honor, Linda Chorney, Anthony D’Amato and Joe Bonanno.
This concert this year is taking place in Red Bank while the Paramount Theatre is under renovation. For the complete lineup, visit lightofday.org.
Class of 2022 Asbury Angels
At each Light of Day festival, the Asbury Angels Project recognizes members of the Asbury Park music scene who have made important contributions to the city’s musical legacy. This year's recipients include Jonathan T. Richardson, a famous early 1900s bandleader from Asbury Park's West Side; Shore blues guitar legend Billy Ryan; Andrew "Hood" Kafafian, Southside Johnny's longtime assistant; and Kerry Layton, Stone Pony ambassador and decades-long supporter of the music scene. The recipients will be recognized during the Friday, March 11, Light of Day Winterfest show at the Stone Pony. Plaques will be on display in the city’s “Boardwalk of Fame.”
The new inductees were selected by a panel of music industry professionals and historians. Criteria includes significant contributions to the creative music community and impact on that community, and the length of time spent on the Asbury Park music scene. Those eligible include musicians, songwriters, disc jockeys, writers, technical support staff, and club and venue owners.
More than 50 have been recognized so far. Visit www.asburyangels.com for more info.