If you enjoy live music, you couldn't do better than to get yourself a ticket for this year's Light of Day England gig at Robert Smyth on Saturday 24th.
The Light of Day shows have become a transatlantic phenomenon over the past 13 years.
New Jersey music manager and friend of Bruce Springsteen, Bob Benjamin, was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age of 38. He decided that instead of having his music friends give him gifts on his birthday, he would ask them to perform a show, and the ticket money would be donated for reearch into a cure for Parkinson's.
The Light of Day name came from a Springsteen song, "just around the corner to the light of day..." and a much hoped for cure for the disease.
Since that first show, which was held in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Light of Day has spread to Canada, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Germany, Norway... in fact, all over Europe, as well as the UK.
My connection with Light of Day is that I am friends with many of the musicians who take part and, in particular, with Joe D'Urso, a board member and the driving force behind the shows, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to host Light of Day England in Market Harborough last year. And it was so successful that it's back!
Appearing this year we have Joe, along with Garland Jeffreys, Israel Nash Gripka, James Maddock and Danny George Wilson, supported by local hero Jersey Budd, from Countesthorpe, and Rob Dye.
I know it's often tempting to bypass a gig where you may not know the musicians performing but I can guarantee you a great night out if you take the rouble to come along - many local people did last year and had a fantastic time.
Tickets are £15 and available online or in person from HFM. Check out www.facebook.com/LightOfDayUK for more info and updates.
Hope to see you there!
