On August 22 nd 1997 Eric Kinkel hosted the first of three succeeding benefit concerts for his sister Dr. Linda Kinkel.

Opening the  evening was a set from Eric Kinkel and Friends, featuring Al Ehrich, Kurt Christensen, Angela Licari, an Ken Krull. They performed such songs as; "Silent Tuesday", Shanty", "Sister Clarrissa", "We are even", "Antique Spirits", and even "Taxi" by Harry Chapin. A beautiful instrumental trio performance of the "Ashokan Farewell" by Angela, Eric and Al was a dazzling highlight of the evening. Later on Dirty Dan Buck and Gil Pini of The Boyzz joined Eric on stage with electric guitars, in a stunningly loud blues performance of Ted Nugent's "Spread Your Wings". The evening had just begun...

Then came, veteran rockers The Boyzz. Old friends of Eric's form his rock 'n Roll days, Dirty Dan Buck and Gil Pini graced us with some acoustic renditions of songs from their two Boyzz albums. Dirt and Gil surprised us all with a  touching solo vocal accapella tribute to Linda at the end of their set. This well crafted set seemed as if Joe Perry and Steven Tyler  from Aerosmith descended upon this spirited collage of folk and rock evening.

Headlining the show was songwriter Michael Smith  well known for writing "The Dutchman", "Spoon River" and  a myriad of songs recorded by such well known artists as Steve Goodman,  Suzie Bogguss, and Jimmy Buffet. Michael sang such songs as; " Famous In France", "The Dutchman", "Lee Remick", and "Three Monkey's". During his performance Eric's bassist, Al Ehrich joined Michael in a special impromptu performance of "The Last Day Of Pompeii", a boot scootin, jazz pluckin bass solo emerged.

Eric Kinkel and Friends joined by The Boyzz, rounded out the extended evening with Eric's own country tune "Time for you Again". This was a night of extraordinary accomplishment. Not only were the two worlds of rock and folk brought together, but an evening of rare and unusual music transpired into one big gathering for a great cause, raising money for Eric's sister Linda's in home health care.

Extended thanks go out to: Bill Del Buono, Terri Del Buono, Chris Hanson, Paul Weaver, for flying in from California, Angela Licari,
Kurt Christensen, Ken Krull, Dirty Dan Buck, Gil Pini, Al Ehrich and Michael Smith.