Ron Poore, a.k.a. “Jetson” was only at 97X for a year back in the late 80s, but he moved on to record labels, where he has continued to work tirelessly to get great music into people’s ears. Currently Senior VP of Alternative & Rock Promotion for the legendary Atlantic Records, Ron chats with Dave and Damian about how promoting a band called the Red Belly Boys actually got him his first gig at 97X, how a trip to New York City with Rock & Roll Grocer Frank Eavey changed his career trajectory… and how his son saved his life.
As a special holiday gift to you, check out the 97X in-studio performance from the Dave Matthews Band back in 1995, a session that happened thanks to Jetson’s ties to 97X.
Jetson, front row far right, alongside Steve Baker and Julie Maxwell. Jetson (center) and Mr. K (3rd from left) with Mike Peters of The Alarm when they opened for Bob Dylan at Riverbend in Cincinnati.97Xers Tim Hiatt, Ken “Mr. K” Glidewell and Jetson (2nd from right) with Kurt Neumann and Sammy Llanas of The BoDeans during their visit to the 97X studioThe music of the Jetson era.
Howdy, I’m going to give myself a little present this month: the gift of a few weeks off from this update.
“You shouldn’t have”
December is kinda light on non-Mannheim Steamroller concerts anyway. Plus, I’ll be out of town after Xmas, and before that I need to:
Hang stockings by the chimney with care
Make my famous eggnog (1. Pour fifth of rum into punch bowl. 2. Pour carton of eggnog down drain. 3. Enjoy!) and
Sing carols in the neighborhood (…”our next selection is called ‘Christmas in Hollis’ by Run DMC”…).
OK, let’s get to this merry month of music:
The Get Up Kids play Southgate on Wednesday, bluegrass band Kitchen Dwellers are at Madison Live, and Ludlow Garage has “Scrantonicity” which is described thusly: ‘Scrantonicity’ will feature “The Office” themed trivia, a live DJ, comedian, bar games and costume contest. Specially crafted “Office” themed drinks such as “Mexican Lemoñade” and “Lord, Beer Me Strength” will be on hand for those 21 and over.
On Thursday, Chevelle plays Bogart’s, and George Winston plays a Christmas gig at Ludlow.
On Friday (the 13th)
Will Kimbrough plays Southgate
Phantogram is at Bogart’s
Ricky Nye and Chris Douglas are at Wiedemann
Goose (not the old local band, the “American Indie-Groove band” from Connecticut that “could be likened to a keg party in the woods on a summer night with all of your closest friends”) plays Madison Theater
Bonerama (winner of the 2019 band name of the year award) is back at Riverfront Live with Ernie Johnson from Detroit
Mike Oberst of the Tillers plays Camp Springs Tavern
Ben Levin is at Arnold’s
On Saturday, the Warsaw Falcons and Ricky Nye play Wiedemann’s, Wonky Tonk plays Camp Springs Tavern, and Sum 41 is at Bogart’s.
Sunday, Bogart’s hosts Angels & Airwaves.
Here’s the rest of the month (and really the first week of 2020, since there are no concerts of note that week):
Jeremy Pinnell plays Southgate’s Revival Room on Monday, 12/16.
Mannequin Pussy is at the Woodward on Wednesday, 12/18, with Kississippi opening.
10,000 Maniacs play Ludlow on Thursday, 12/19. This is the non-Natalie Merchant version, but the rest of the gang is there, including John Lombardo and Mary Ramsey.
On Friday, 12/20, Motherfolk plays “A Very Motherfolk Christmas V” at 20th Century, and local luminaries Over the Rhine kick off three nights of their Acoustic Christmas show (12/20-22).
There are a few interesting Xmas gigs on Saturday, December 21st:
Chris Knight plays Southgate’s Sanctuary, and the Whiskey Daredevils play a free gig in the Lounge
Ben Levin & the Heaters play Mansion Hill Tavern
Gehner Dueling Pianos at Camp Springs Tavern
Afroman does “Merry Spliffmas” at Riverfront Live
Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits hosts An Olde English Christmas at Ludlow Garage. We think “Olde English” means classic tunes from Great Britain, but it could mean this:
It helps merry gentlemen rest too!
The aforementioned Mannheim Steamroller are playing a Christmas show on… December 26th? They must be using a different type of calendar, perhaps Julian or MilkingTheChristmasMoneyian. Fun fact: Mannheim founder and Ohio native Chip Davis had a hand in writing that classic CB radio (kids, ask your parents what the hell that was)/trucker tune from 1976 called “Convoy” by the fictional C.W. McCall. I’d rather hear that 20 times in a row than hear bloated neoclassical versions of Xmas tunes.
Clutch plays Bogart’s on Friday, December 27th and Ben Levin plays BrewRiver.
On Saturday, December 28th:
The Wooks and Kind Country are at Southgate
Terrapin Flyer plays Ludlow
local rockers Prizoner play their “final show” at Riverfront Live
The Poor Hours are at Camp Springs Tavern
Ricky Nye has a solo gig at Wiedemann on Sunday, December 29th… and at the other end of the spectrum, you can “Ratt & Roll into 2020” by seeing Ratt at Bogart’s.
There’s another contrast of styles on New Year’s Eve: you can attend the Drunken Hog NYE party at Riverfront Live featuring Buffalo Wabs & the Price Hill Hustle, Hackensaw Boys and Hickory Robot… or catch GWAR at Bogart’s.
The Bogart’s bathrooms are scarier.
Rumpke Mountain Boys also have a NYE celebration at 20th Century, on both Monday 12/30 and Tuesday 12/31, with different support bands. And Sweet Alice Hoskins plays Dead Low Brewing’s NYE party.
Bob Mould is playing a solo gig at 20th Century on Sunday, March 22nd. Tickets here.
Robyn Hitchcock will be at Southgate on Sunday, April 26th. Tickets.
Favorite Albums of 2019
If you feel so inclined, you can list your favorites on the discussion board section of this website. That way everyone can see what great taste you have! It’ll also save my lazy ass from having to compile all your submissions into a mega-list. My picks are already on the discussion board, and also below.
Greetings fellow earthlings! Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.
Fred G. Sanford… the “G” stands for “gravy.”
Let’s take a look at this week’s live music. Monday Silversun Pickups are at Bogart’s.
If you’re wondering “What’s Happening!!” on Tuesday, the answer is a big fat nothing… and that’s not a rip on Rerun and/or Shirley.
Remember the very special two-part episode featuring the Doobie Brothers? I sure do!
Wednesday, Farmer & Adele play a Country Western Christmas show with Mike Oberst of the Tillers at Southgate, Livingston Taylor (Sweet Baby James’ Baby Brother) plays the 20th Century Theater, and spoof hair band Steel Panther plays a “Big Hairy Xmas” show at Bogart’s.
If you’re a fan of live comedy, former Gary Burbank Show writer John Bunyan will be celebrating his birthday on Wednesday by closing out a Go Bananas Pro-Am show with a long set. John’s the funniest CPA I know (pretty low bar, I realize). Other folks on the bill are friends of his, including headliners like Gabe Kea, Mark Chalifoux and Tabari McCoy, so it should be a good time. Tickets are $5, show starts at 8.
Ben Levin plays BrewRiver on Thursday. Speaking of Ben, he’s got a fun new holiday tune out.
On Friday, the underwear-clad duo called The Skivvies plays a holiday show at Ludlow Garage. The dude is from Fairfield, where appearing in public in your underwear is de rigueur. You can read more about these “undie-rockers” in CityBeat.
Also, Aqueous is at Madison Live. Fully clothed. (You can listen to their new EP here.) And Ben Levin & the Heaters play Southgate’s Lounge.
Saturday, Dopapod is at the Madison Theater, Randy Steffen plays Camp Springs Tavern, and Pink Talking Fish (a fusion of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish) hits Ludlow Garage. Also, The Band of Helping Hands (Covington) will host a Blue Christmas toy drive/fundraiser show with G. Miles and the Band of Helping Hands house band along with Ricky Nye INC featuring Bekah Williams and Ben Levin.
Video of the Week
Local artist Wonky Tonk’s video for her song “Lessons” is directed by the lovely and talented Dave Morrison (Ass Ponys).
Happy Anniversary
CityBeat is celebrating 25 years as our fair city’s alt-weekly (actually alt-biweekly now), and the current issue features a grainy photo of list members John Fox and Dan Bockrath from back in the day. They’ve both moved on from CityBeat, but their boyish good looks haven’t changed a bit.
Hair Band Redemption
If you ever find yourself saying “whatever happened to Kip Winger, lead singer of the band Winger?” well, here’s your answer… and it may surprise you:
New Artist Spotlight
Danielle Durack is a youngster from Phoenix, AZ. She released her album Bashful way back in January, but I stumbled across it recently when Undertow added her to their roster of artists doing living room shows. Recommended if you like Phoebe Bridgers (and if you don’t like Phoebe, you may as well unsubscribe right now!).
The Reading List
This interview with Robbie Robertson of The Band from The Ringer is worth a read… although he should’ve given equal writing credits to every member of The Band. (Also, the new Scorsese/De Niro/Pacino flick isn’t even out yet and I’m already tired of hearing about it.)
