For Dollar Bill's Benefit
assembled by Jeff Raspe
[ALTROK knows a good cause when it sees one. This is a good cause. The Concerts East press release reads as follows...]
For years, Bill Benfer has helped and befriended many people. And now, his
friends want to lend him a hand.
Ocean Grove resident Benfer, 52, the long-time sales manager at WHTG-FM
106.3 [Eatontown, NJ], was diagnosed last year with characinoid cancer, a rare and
particularly lethal form of the disease. On Jan. 18 at The Tradewinds in Sea
Bright [NJ], a benefit concert will be held to raise money for Bill and his
family, who have been both financially and emotionally devastated by the
disease. Concerts East's Tony Pallagrosi states that "Bill (has been and is)
a great friend and supporter to many of us. I hope we can help in a
significant way!"
Scheduled to perform at the show are Dramarama front man John Easdale;
Epic recording artists Highway 9 (formerly Samhill); Jeffrey Gaines; Matt
Witte's New Blood Revival; Everlounge; Red Engine 9, and Blow Up. The show
will also feature a reunion of the Whirling Dervishes and an appearance by
former FM 106.3 Program Director, K-Rock "Buzz" host, former MTV VJ Matt
Pinfield, now a Columbia Records A&R person.
Mimi Cross, Jason Stanley, and Steve Delopoulos will also play at a
second, acoustic stage in the club's Cabana Bar. More acoustic acts are
expected to be announced soon.
Many former FM-106.3 DJs and other industry personnel are also expected
to attend the show.
Benfer, who worked at WHTG from April 1991 until November 2000, when the
station was officially sold to Press Broadcasting, was instrumental in
helping shape the Jersey Shore music scene. He introduced Jerry Bakal and
Tony Pallagrosi, who became partners in what is now Concerts East, Inc., the
Shore's biggest concert promoter.
Benfer also helped create events like the Ticketmaster Showcase of Bands,
the summer beach concert Surfstock, the FM 106.3 Sno-ball, an annual holiday
show and Jenkinson's SurfJam. He also helped connect Concerts East, then
known as Swing Street/Legend Entertainment, with Joey Harrison's Surf Club
in Ortley Beach, and helped create "Planet Surf," the seminal new music
night at the Jersey Shore, hosted by the Surf Club on Friday nights.
Benfer has also been active in civic affairs in Neptune. He is a
commissioner with the Ocean Grove Sewerage Authority (he is the
longest-serving commissioner, with more than a decade of service), and a
member of the Deal Lake Commission. He also is a past president and former
member of the board of directors of the Ocean Grove Homeowners Association.
(Ocean Grove is a section of Neptune.)
The Neptune Township Committee has honored Benfer with several awards
commemorating his many years of civic service.
But what his friends appreciate the most is his gentle compassion,
unwavering friendship and steadfast support.
Benfer and his wife, Cheryl, have been married for 22 years. They have
three children: Benjamin, Bethany and Joseph.
Tickets for the show are $15 in advance. They are available through
Ticketmaster Charge-by-phone, (201) 507-8900, (609) 520-8383, or (212)
307-7171. Tickets are also available at Vintage Vinyl in Fords, Ichabods in
Sea Bright, Funk & Standard Variety Store in Red Bank, and at the Tradewinds
box office.
Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the show.
The Dollar Bill Benefit Friday, January 18, 2002 at THE TRADEWINDS Sea Bright, NJ (732)842-7300 www.thetradewinds.com Doors open at 6:00pm; 8:00pm showtime Tickets are $15. 18 to enter 21 to drink. Featuring: SPECIAL GUEST HOST MATT PINFIELD JOHN EASDALE (with Peter Wood, both formerly of Dramarama) JEFFREY GAINES HIGHWAY 9 MATT WITTE'S NEW BLOOD REVIVAL The reunion of WHIRLING DERVISHES/EVERLOUNGE RED ENGINE NINE BLOW UP ...and MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED. Plus an acoustic stage at the Cabana Bar with: FRAMING DAKOTA (featuring former FM106.3 dj Glenn Vistica) MIMI CROSS JASON STALEY ...and MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED. Former FM106.3 personalities who'll be attending: Rich Robinson Mike Sauter Bruce McDonald Jeff Raspe Mark Mistretta Jon Vena Sean Carolan Go to the Dollar Bill Benefit page at Concerts East for details and directions. |