Bret Michaels gave a sensational performance Friday night at Songs4Soldiers. (Sean McGowan photo)

The two-night Songs4Soldiers concert to benefit combat veterans got off to a successful start Friday in Columbia with a packed park grounds taking in the sounds of national rock star Bret Michaels.

Michaels, who gained popularity as lead singer of the band Poison in the 1980s and 1990s, performed several of his radio hits along with a backing band on Friday night.

The concert finished up on Saturday at Bolm-Schuhkraft Park with performances from several cover bands from the St. Louis area.

In addition to the massive amount of ticket sales and concessions sold during Friday’s concert, Songs4Soldiers announced Saturday that Michaels personally donated $5,000 toward the organization.

“Bret, being the son of a veteran, has been doing great things for our military since he started his career,” Songs4Soldiers stated in a press release. “Once again he is showing his graciousness in personally donating $5,000 toward Songs4Soldiers.”

To date, Songs4Soldiers has spent more than $350,000 on more than 250 combat veterans and their families.

For more information on Songs4Soldiers, visit ​S4SSTL.ORG or call 618-779-8511.

Read the Sept. 27 issue of the Republic-Times newspaper for comments from Song4Soldiers founder Dustin Row on the success of this year’s event.