Oh, Hello!

Where does the summertime time go? Seems like the ol’ globe’s spinning a bit faster these days. Or maybe I’ve just been day-drinking again. Either way (or both), it’s time for a fresh batch of live tunes. Let’s go to Ye Olde Koncert Keeper:

Tonight:

• Ruby Vileos has an album release show at The Loon in Northside, with special guest Tyler Ramsey (formerly of Band of Horses). This show is sold-out.
• Fall Out Boy plays Riverbend
• George Thorogood & the Destroyers are at Fraze Pavilion
• Blood, Sweat & Tears drop into Ludlow Garage
• The Cincy Blues Fest happens in Fairfield
• Abby Holiday plays an album release show at Madison Live

On Sunday, JD Souther plays an “all the hits, some of the stories” show at Memorial Hall.

Tuesday, the Tedeschi Trucks Band plays PNC Pavilion with Ziggy Marley as the opener. I’ll be at that gig, courtesy of list members Whit & Barb Gardner, who have had the misfortune of living across the street from me for more than two decades.

On Wednesday, Say She She is at the Woodward Theater with Abby Jean, and the Jan Brady has the “Sad Summer Fest” featuring Taking Back Sunday, The Maine, Motion City Soundtrack, PVRIS, Hot Mulligan, Stand Atlantic, Sincere Engineer and Mom Jeans. (Mom Jeans – I’m a big fan!)

Speaking of articles of clothing, or a lack thereof, Nelly plays the Fraze on Thursday.

Keep your clothes on Rose, the Nelly gig is sold-out. But you can catch Ludacris, Flo Rida and Ashanti at the Hard Rock Casino… or see the Crash Test Dummies for free at Village Green Park in Fairfield. Yes, Fairfield.

On Friday, Cracker plays the old Annie’s. A Cracker show is always good.

I’ll be at that gig, along with list member/Cereal Killers front man Howard Cohen, who also would like to remind you of this upcoming event:

The old Annie’s also has a show next Saturday, 7/22: Stephen Marley and Subatomic Sound System. And Joey McIntyre of NKOTB fame will be at Ludlow Garage. Other 7/22 gigs:

• Moonbeau plays Madison Live
• Mecklenberg Gardens in Clifton has an interesting “Two for the Show” gig featuring local duos:

On Sunday, 7/23, Vanilla Fudge will be in the Ludlow Garage.

If you’re into album artwork, you might want to check out a movie called Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis) – it’s playing the Woodward Theater on Monday, July 24th:

Lyle Lovett brings his large hair and his Large Band to Rose Music Center on Wednesday, July 26th… meanwhile across town, the always-perfectly-coiffed Donny Osmond plays the Fraze. And speaking of amazing hair, Soul Glo plays Woodward Theater.

That same evening, Pink plays Great American Ball Park with Brandi Carlile, Grouplove and DJ Kid Cut Up (which may or not be list member Dan Lewis in disguise).

Shows on Thursday, 7/27:

• 500 Miles to Memphis plays a free show at Smale
• Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle do a freebie at Washington Park
• The Red Hot Chili Pipers (not Peppers) play Ludlow Garage. IMHO, this is the hottest Piper:

On Friday, July 28th, The Regrettes headline the free show at Fountain Square. I just saw this band in Milwaukee (photos below – more on the Milwaukee trip later) and they are a lot of fun. The lead singer is a force of nature. Well worth checking out.

Other gigs that evening include The Temptations and The Four Tops at Rose and Ramble On Bros (yes, a Grateful Dead tribute band) play the “Music Under the Moon” series at Cincinnati Nature Center. More info here.

I’ll be out of town the first week in August. In case we don’t chat before then, here are the gigs for that week:

(Oh, and Culture Club/Howard Jones/Berlin play Riverbend on 8/5 too.)

“Mil-e-wau-kay… the good land”

As mentioned previously in this rambling post, I was in Milwaukee recently. I went with list member Dave “Deuce” Richmond and his buddy Matt “no nickname that sounds like going to the bathroom” Voss.

Last Thursday, we hit Summerfest and saw Horsegirl, Jenny Lewis, The Regrettes, The War on Drugs, and caught the very tail end of Dinosaur Jr’s set… all for a mere $26. Such a deal!

I also saw Milwaukee’s Brett Newski (who played a house show at the home of list members Dave & Jacqui Killen a few years back) in the crowd at one of the stages.

On Friday, we hit the Reds-Brewers game. I was bummed to miss Japanese Breakfast, Brett Newski, and Built to Spill at Summerfest (free admission!)… but on Saturday morning at the Milwaukee Airport, I chatted briefly with Doug Martsch of Built to Spill. Turns out that in addition to being an amazing singer/guitarist/songwriter, he’s also a very nice guy!

Riding like the wind… if the wind is going about 6 m.p.h.

Friends, I’ve signed up to ride my bike 24 miles (in a row… crazy, I know) in the Ride Cincinnati event on 9/17 to raise funds for the UC Cancer Center and the Barrett Cancer Center. If you could see it in your heart (and find it in your wallet) to support me, I’d greatly appreciate your tax-deductible donation. 100% will go directly to life-saving cancer research and care right here in our community.

Me on a training ride:

Mailbag

A blog post comment from The Lovely & Talented Elizabeth Cannon, a longtime friend and the former marketing maven at Riverbend:

The bigger question might be “Who is more of a prima donna – TayTay or Noel?”

Album Covers of the Fortnight

Joe Stampley is a dead ringer for Cousin Eddie in National Lampoon’s Vacation.

James Brown may be Soul Brother #1, but Soul Brother #2 has to be Hansel Vibbert. He’s just oozing charisma and raw sex appeal.