We arrived at Villanova University on the evening of Saturday, September 19th, a little tired, but then also excited at the prospect of a concert to be given for us at the University by Jim's close friend, Mike DiBenedetto.  Mike had already set up a small stage and his P.A equipment at the front of the room when  
we arrived and we settled down in our seats for an eagerly awaited evening of music and anecdotes given by one of Jim's closest friends. Mike was the perfect host, entertaining us with his renditions of Jim Croce songs in his own style, intertwined with his stories, some hilariously funny, some poignant and deeply  moving, recounting the times he had spent with his friend, Jim Croce.  He told us about the "trolley bus" bell that Jim had fixed to his old Volkswagen car, to scare the heck out of passer's by. He remembered the short haired, button down collared, clean cut "preppy" that was the Jim Croce he knew, before he transformed into the into the blue collared, wild haired, mustachioed Croce that we all knew so well.  "I was the greaser with the hair slicked back and engineer boots", said Mike. Then there was Mike's profoundly moving recollection of Jim telling him, "Hey, if only we could bottle time, then take a sip whenever we wanted to". Mike also paid tribute to the genius that was Maury Muehleisen, and played us his version of Maury's "Salon and Saloon". Later, Mike invited us "Croceteers" that had brought our guitars with us, to join him on stage for the final performances.

All too soon, the concert came to an end, and we bid our farewells to our new found good friend, Mike DiBenedetto.  Mike, you are not only a great musician, but also a true gentleman.  The evening we were fortunate enough to spend with you will live on in our memories for always.