Back Stage Pass | Jan. 2020

Highlights from Light of Day

The Light of Day Winter Fest is the highlight every January in Asbury Park. This year LOD celebrated their 20th Anniversary. Twenty years of raising money and awareness for Parkinson’s disease and its related illnesses PSP and ALS. Nearly $6 million dollars has been raised since it’s inception 20 years ago which began as a birthday party at the Downtown Cafe in Red Bank, NJ to celebrate the 40th birthday of artist manager Bob Benjamin. Bob had just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

House of Independents

The kick-off show was held at the House of Independents again this year as a host of musicians jammed on stage. Along with headliner, Marc Ribler, was his A-list band: Arne Wendt on keyboard, Tommy LaBella on Sax, Joe Daley on Drums, Jack Daley on bass, Mike Flynn on guitar and Sandy Mac on harmonica, with special guest performances by Peter Schulle, Sara Devine, James Maddock and Willie Nile.

Bob’s Birthday Bash at The Paramount

There were many special guest performances throughout the weekend, but the biggest question always tends to be, “Did Bruce show up?” This year he happened to be close to home so he could watch his son, Sam Springsteen, be sworn in as a Jersey City firefighter on January 14th…naturally, he didn’t disappoint.

Sporting a low key image in a flannel shirt and flat cap that barely revealed his face, he appeared on stage multiple times at the Paramount Theater on Saturday evening, beginning with Willie Nile.

Back stage photos by Ai contributor.

“We like to think of it as the festival that Bruce built.”
Randy Alexander, LOD Publicist.

More from Light of Day…

OUTSIDE ASBURY

Count Basie Theater

Last night I went to see the Tedeschi Trucks Band at the Count Basie Center for the arts. I hadn’t heard of this band before so I didn’t really know what to expect, although I was told they were good. We arrived a few minutes after 8 pm. There was no opening act, just the headliner. As we were standing in the refreshment line, suddenly several people started jumping out of line and running for their seats as the band began to play. I figured that was a good indication of what was to come.

Tedeschi Trucks is a blues rock band with a country twang. They are heavy on the instrumental, with several guitar performances by the bands namesake, there was also a drum solo. I don’t know a lot about music, but I do know good music when I hear it, and this band is good. If you don’t believe me, just ask one of their fans.

The band is lead by male and female guitar players, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, who also happen to be husband and wife. What’s also cool about this band is they play mostly original music. Their debut album, Revelator, won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Blues Album.

Tedeschi Trucks is from Jacksonville, Florida, but clearly they have a pretty solid fan base in New Jersey. They preformed two nights at the Basie, both were sold out shows. And they have enthusiastic fans, most of the audience stood for the entire performance.

I look forward to seeing this band again, maybe in Asbury Park!