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.

All material ©2001-2014 Sean Carolan, except as noted.

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