RADIO HANNIBAL

Ohio City Singers holiday show tickets going fast

I'm hearing it from a number of people.  It's hard to believe we're approaching the holiday season with the incredible weather we've been having this November here in Cleveland.  All of that's about to change as a look at my Weather Channel app 15 day forecast tells the story.  38 for a high on Sunday.  

Apparently others are not so easily fooled and are well aware of the impending Christmas season.  That explains why local holiday supergroup The Ohio City Singers is selling tickets to their upcoming shows at a brisk pace.  

I already got shut out of the G.A.R. Hall show in Peninsula on Saturday December 12.  Luckily I met an angel last night who offered me to watch from the side of the stage.  That prompted me to buy tickets this morning for the other concerts.  

The annual kid's show, held again this year in the main room at The Music Box, is always a blast.  Since the band has been together for about ten years there's a whole generation who consider songs like "White Cleveland Christmas, "Holiday Hop" and "Egg Nog" as essential to Christmas as "Jingle Bells" or "Frosty The Snowman".  And they'll be singing along to them with the spirit of the season.  It's an afternoon affair at 1pm on Saturday December 5.  Grab tickets at the Music Box link above.  

A couple of years ago OCS held their kid's show at Vosh in Lakewood.  This year the band will be in residence there on the weekend of December 18 and 19 with shows both Friday and Saturday night.  These are the showcase shows.  You can buy tickets at EventBrite.  I scored a weekend pass.  

What can I say, I love Christmas music, and the fact that friends of mine write and perform original holiday music that's as good as anything out there makes me feel blessed.  The Ohio City Singers don't have a new album this year but they've released a new single guaranteed to get you in the spirit.  

 

Tony Award nominee Mary Bridget Davies tries on The New Soft Shoe once again

The New Soft Shoe, a Gram Parsons cover band here in Cleveland, has been changing up venues this year.  The band, fronted by Brent Kirby, only plays once a month and in years past it's always been at the Happy Dog on Cleveland's west side.  Tonight the band returns to the Dog for just the third time this year. And it'll be a special night.

Mary Bridget Davies, a Fairview Park native, who's Broadway run of A Night With Janis earned her a Tony nomination, will be singing with the band.  In fact, she was an original member of The New Soft Shoe, albeit for a very short time. 

Other female vocalists have sung the part of Emmylou Harris, Parson's protege and duet partner on his solo albums after leaving The Flying Burrito Brothers, from time to time.  I once asked Kirby why he didn't just have a permanent position for a female vocalist in the band.  "There's just not enough room on the stage with six players already", was his reply. 

They'll gladly make room for Davies tonight. 

Former Slam Bamboo member heads home to Cleveland for show

No, I'm not speaking of Trent Reznor, who was a member of local Cleveland band Slam Bamboo in the late 1980s.  Tim Kirker was also in that band who scored a local hit with "House On Fire". 

Kirker then moved to New York City to further pursue his musical career, even playing with other Cleveland musicians who'd made the move to the east coast.  

His musical output continues with the release of a new album Shallow End of a Deep River and a tour stop here this Friday at the Beachland.  Even without knowing his roots one could guess he was from Cleveland due to the rather unique musical influences our town offered back then. 

The show at the Beachland will be a reunion of sorts with bassist John Papa and drummer Michael Cartellone returning home.  They'll be joined by local musicians like Shannon Dolan on vocals and Tara Hawley on cello.

Photo courtesy of Shannon Dolan during practice sessions this week.

The Boys bring The Clash

It's no secret that Cleveland's Boys From County Hell are fans of The Clash.  The group that started off strictly as a Pogues cover band has been slipping more Clash songs into their sets in recent years.  This Saturday night at The Happy Dog at The Euclid Tavern The Boys From County Hell, along with All Dinosaurs, will play nothing but the music of The Clash in what they're dubbing Cleveland Calling, a fundraiser for the Joe Strummer Foundation.

All Dinosaurs will handle material from the British band's first two albums, the punk years, while The Boys From County Hell will tackle their more expansive sound that began with London Calling, for my money the best album of all time.  Expect some Joe Strummer solo material as well.  Though I doubt we'll be treated to any Big Audio Dynamite. 

Last night I stopped by The Harp to catch most of The Boys doing an acoustic warm up set for Saturday's show.  What fun it was to hear this band run through some of my favorite music.  I was such a fan that in college I painted a Clash logo on the back of an old jean jacket.  I'll be wearing it Saturday night. 

There will be no tickets available at the door and they plan on selling out the show before the weekend.  Heed my advice and buy your tickets now. 

Some of The Boys From County Hell working on Clash material at The Harp

Brent Kirby explores new sounds

About a year ago Brent Kirby told me he was looking for a way to combine all of his different projects into one cohesive band.  I'm not sure he achieved that but along the way he created a new band and a new sound for himself.  The result is the excellent new album Patience Worth. 

In choosing musicians for the new band, Brent Kirby & His Luck, he went outside his familiar circle enlisting top-notch talent as he always does.  The result is a different musical direction for Kirby.  There's elements of jazz, rock, and soul.  You'll even hear horns, arranged by his father, and backing singers on some of the songs. 

Kirby likes to write to the strengths of the players in his groups.  This enabled him to shed the Americana vibe to a degree.  In a recent listen to the album with Brent he pointed out one song which would've been arranged much differently had he written it a year ago.  It's obvious he feels good about stretching his own perceived sound. 

This Saturday night at the Music Box Supper Club Brent Kirby & His Luck will unveil that new direction in fine fashion with a live horns section and backup singers.  The CD release event is nearly sold out so I'd suggest getting your tickets right now for what promises to be a special night. 

Preparing to see stars at Rock Hall Induction

It's Rock Hall week here in Cleveland with the ultimate event, the induction ceremony, taking place tomorrow night at Public Hall.  I was able to score a single ticket. Never could get a hold of a pair.  Word is they go for big bucks on eBay too. 

It's cool though.  I'll be there with my kind of people.  Those that love music.  The biggest thrill of the night will be seeing Paul McCartney induct his old band mate, Ringo Starr, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  The two remaining Beatles, undoubtedly performing together, in the same building they played on their first American tour back in 1964. 

The actual inductee list isn't exactly what I wished for.  No Kraftwerk and no Smiths left me disappointed, but I wouldn't miss this event.  The line up of guest artists makes up for it.  Presenters include Stevie Wonder, Patti Smith, Peter Wolf, Fall Out Boy, John Mayer, Steve Cropper, and Miley Cyrus.  Hopefully they'll all play or sing at some point. 

The list of scheduled performers goes like this; Zac Brown, Karen O, Nate Ruess, Beck, Dave Grohl, Joe Walsh, Tom Morello, John Legend, and Jimmie Vaughan.  There's rumors of Springsteen showing up as well. 

Tonight, as part of Rock Hall week, a group of local musicians, many of them personal friends including Chris Allen, Tom Prebish, Austin Walking Cane, Chris Hanna and Freddie Perez, will be performing in the smaller room at The Music Box.  The sold out show will feature local guest singers joining the band to play a song by an artist in the Rock Hall.  Some of these vocalists include Michael Stanley, Becky Boyd, John Petkovic, and Laurie Caner.

Since so many of Rock's elite are in town for the induction the dream scenario goes like this.  Michael Stanley's performing so his old friend Joe Walsh will show up.  Joe will bring his brother-in-law, Ringo, along with him.  Joe married Barbara Bach's sister.  And since Ringo's going he'll ask McCartney to come along too.  Obviously they'll all want to join in the fun on stage. 

So if anyone reading this has any clout see if you can help pull this off.  It's the kind of thing that would make for good copy in the Random Notes section of Rolling Stone. 

Radio Hannibal recognized as music tastemaker in Cleveland

I came up with a mission statement for my life about 20 years ago.  It goes like this, "to enrich people's lives through the sharing of music". 

In my 9 to 5 world I live it by designing and selling music and video systems in people's homes for K+ Integration Systems.  I have a mobile DJ business which certainly affords me the opportunity to practice it.  Then there's my internet presence through this blog and social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr where I share music discovery on a regular basis. 

It's a good life and especially gratifying when I'm acknowledged for it.  That's what happened on Monday's Sound of Ideas morning talk show on Cleveland public radio station WCPN. 

Host Mike McIntyre, who also writes for the Plain Dealer, was conducting a round table discussion on the state of music here in Cleveland as part of a focus on  Rock Hall induction week.  The guests included John Gorman, former program director at WMMS in its heyday and now of oWOW Radio, Cindy Barber, co-owner of the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, Barry Gabel of Belkin Productions/Live Nation, and Lauren Onkey, V.P. of Education at the Rock Hall.  

Gabel brought up the need for music tastemakers in Cleveland, saying they are far and few between, mentioning Kid Leo and Billy Bass, two former WMMS DJs, and their influence when they were excited about a record.  McIntyre then says this, "I have a friend, his name's John Hannibal, and he tells me everything.".  Gorman chimes in with "John does" and then McIntyre continues, "John knows.  Suddenly he'll tell you a band and you say I've never heard of them before and before you know it my wife thinks I'm smart because I'm turning her onto some new music." The subject ends when Gabel agrees, "that's what's missing".  

Well, I'm here to tell you it's not missing.  Here I am.  I  don't dig deep into the underground.  I look for what's just about to bubble up and if I think it's good I want to tell everyone about it.  I have no time for criticism either.  Why waste yours or my time telling you about how bad an album is.  My focus is on the good and great. 

I'm much obliged to Mike McIntyre and John Gorman who recognize me as a music taste maker.  It gives me credibility and a feeling of accomplishment. 

You can listen to the entire hour discussion here, How Rock Rolls in Northeast Ohio or skip to the 23:30 mark to hear my name drop. 

In honor of Jim Clevo's memorial service today Cleveland Live Music posts lengthy Clevo production

This morning at 11am at St. Christopher's in Rocky River friends and members of the local Cleveland music scene will pay respects to the late Jim Clevo who passed away a couple of weeks ago. 

Ken Dixon, the man responsible for capturing many local bands live, just posted the first two parts of a Paul McCartney covers show that took place at Cleveland Public Theater on July 28, 1990.  The marathon 6 hour event was produced by Clevo. 

Jim worked with so many bands in the city and this lengthy document attests to his passion for music in general and the local scene in particular.  Rest in peace Jim. 

Jim Clevo and Trent Reznor

Memorial service for Jim Clevo scheduled for Friday April 10

A Memorial service has been scheduled for Jim Clevo (Chlebo) this Friday, April 10, at 11 am.  The Mass will take place at St. Christopher's in Rocky River where Jim's brother is pastor.  Friends will gather before Mass at 10am at St. Christopher's. 

There's two obituaries for Jim which makes sense since so many knew him by the name Clevo, a name he crafted in homage to the city he loved. 

Here's the Jim Clevo obituary written by his friends.  And here's the official Jim Chlebo obituary submitted by his brother which gives details of the service.  

Both Jim and his brother, Rev. John Chlebo were adopted and both parents are deceased.  He has no other relatives so it would be nice to see a good turn out of both his friends from West Park and those in the Cleveland rock and roll community.  Please pass along this information to those who might want to know. 

Jim Clevo, a tireless champion of Cleveland local music, passes

Jim Clevo was everywhere in the Cleveland local music scene.  After the news of his passing early yesterday evening due to heart failure, he'd had a bad ticker for a few years, the number of musicians who paid tribute to him on Facebook was astonishing.  There's been a call for all musicians to post a photo of Clevo on their website in honor. 

Jim Clevo Presentations was a bit like CD Baby in the pre-internet age.  Jim Clevo set up a network of low cost vendors to create a kind of CD creation house.  Cleveland bands who were not used to navigating their way through the business side of things would come to Clevo in order to make their album a reality.  Here's a story from 2002, Music man.

Clevo also produced compilations of local Cleveland artists in order to help promote these bands both here and nationally.  The Killer Blow, released in 1989 featured acts such as Home & Garden, Hot Tin Roof, Terrible Parade, Oroboros and others.  A year later he put out Clearing The Air, another comp CD, with music by Hostile Omish, The Beatnik Termites, Jehova Waitresses and many others on this two disc set.  

Clevo also wrote a book to help musicians, Networking in the Music Industry, back in 1993.  Anything he could do to shine more light on a local musician was his goal. 

You can read more about Clevo in Deanna Adams comprehensive book, Rock 'n' Roll And The Cleveland Connection.  Here's an excerpt. 

I came to know Clevo, a West Park native, a bit better in recent years through friends and family who grew up with him.  Clevo had a strong opinion on many things and agendas to champion those beliefs.  Carrying on his local music legacy is a way for me to pay tribute to an important figure in Cleveland music.