Rocking for a Cause: An Unforgettable Night of Music and Hope
Words by Dan Rozman
Photos by Mark Raker
The latest Rock and Roll for Children Foundation charity concert was a night to remember, packed with fantastic music, exciting auction items, and the power to make a real difference in kids’ lives.
At The Fillmore Silver Spring on March 22, the evening kicked off with local favorite Mojo Sun, getting the crowd moving with classics like “Franklin’s Tower,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and “The Weight.” Special guests joined Mojo Sun throughout their set, with the headliner Naked’s horn section collaborating on several songs, while Ricky Byrd added his guitar talents and Christine Ohlman (the “Beehive Queen”) brought her powerful vocals to the mix. They closed their set with an energetic rendition of “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding.”
After some exciting auction activities, the legendary Steve Smith and The Nakeds took the stage as the headliners, bringing their 10-person rhythm and blues powerhouse to life with enough energy to get everyone dancing. Special guests, including Ricky Byrd, Christine Ohlman, and Chris Pati joined the band later in their set, creating unforgettable musical collaborations. This wasn’t just any concert — it was a special event dedicated to helping children.
Watch the official music video for “I’m Huge (And the Babes Go Wild)” by Steve Smith and The Naked on YouTube:
The entire evening supported The Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health, a place that gives kids fighting serious illnesses a home away from home. As one volunteer explained, it lets these brave children “be kids” instead of just patients. Rock and Roll for Children Foundation founder and co-chair Jon Belinkie declared, “The Children’s Inn at NIH is truly one of the most special places. All proceeds from this powerhouse evening of music and philanthropy will support the Inn’s mission of pediatric health, education, and welfare.”
What makes this effort even more impressive is that since 2004, the foundation has raised nearly $1 million for children facing serious health challenges, and the organization is entirely volunteer-run, ensuring almost every penny goes directly to helping these brave kids and their families.
Steve Smith shared his personal connection to the cause: “We have our own charity event we do every year up in Rhode Island. It’s called Rock and Jock Charities, and started 25 years ago. We raise money to help kids with life-threatening illnesses. So this is really right up our alley to be here tonight.” He also mentioned this was his band’s 52nd year performing together.
The silent and live auctions had everyone talking. There were guitars signed by music legends like Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and the Eagles. Movie fans could bid on memorabilia from “Wicked” and “Barbie,” while other unique items included a brewery event and the chance to have your caricature added to the famous wall at The Palm restaurant in DC. Art lovers could bid on beautiful handmade bowls from Shore Creations, made from reclaimed Maryland timber. There were even domestic and international vacation packages up for grabs.
Board member Andrew Myrowitz, who has been attending the event for about 10 years, shared his enthusiasm: “It is so amazing to see so many different members of the local community and other communities get together to celebrate everything that this community does to raise money for the Children’s Inn, from the live music to the donations that are made to the outstanding silent auction. It is a special night, and I’m proud to be part of the team.”
Liza Cole, the Director of Leadership & Legacy Giving at The Children’s Inn at NIH, explained why the event matters so much: “You’re here to support all the families who are coming from all around the world and across the country, to participate in clinical research studies at the National Institutes of Health. The Children’s Inn at NIH acts like a place like home for those children and their families. We offer housing and meals and educational, recreational and therapeutic services for those families completely free of charge for as long as they need us.”
During the evening, Pastor Mark Trinkle received the Sharon Katula Champion for Children award for his work as lead pastor of the Neighborhood Church and his dedication to creating healthy spaces for children. The church partners with Candlewood Elementary School, the Shady Grove Pregnancy Center, and Remember Nhu, an organization fighting child sex trafficking.
Throughout their high-energy set, Steve Smith and The Nakeds played covers as well as their signature songs, including one that became more famous after appearing on the TV show “Family Guy.” On several occasions, band members including Steve came off stage to sing directly to the crowd, making the experience even more personal. Steve also introduced their new song called “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You,” which he told the audience was inspired by summer trips to Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, and Ocean City, Maryland. The band even made a toast “to helping the children” during their performance.
Stream “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You” by Steve Smith and The Nakeds on YouTube:
From the passionate performances to the generous bidders to the dedicated volunteers, everyone came together to prove that music can do more than entertain – it can truly change lives and help children when they need it most.
Here are some photos of the 2025 Rock and Roll Foundation for Children at The Fillmore Silver Spring on March 22, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Mark Raker.
