If you are a frequent attendee of local music shows, you’ve no doubt seen Pat Rice, the 65-year-old “superfan” who probably attends more music events than just about anyone and is beloved by the young bands she consistently checks out. Local musician Chris Grannen (of the band The Pinstripes) captured the essence of Rice’s unwavering dedication in his excellent documentary film, A Queen City Girl: The Pat Rice Story, a school project that is now available to view and freely download

Cincinnati Blues foursome Cheryl Renee and Them Bones are back from the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, where they came in third place in the "band" category. The group, competing against dozens of bands from around the world, won cash and other prizes for their impressive victory.

Cincinnati-bred band Heartless Bastards were all over the TV this weekend. Along with the group's stellar Austin City Limits debut Saturday (where the band showcased its diversity with the addition of fiddle and acoustic and lap steel guitar on a few songs), the Bastards appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live Friday night.

Local Blues musician Phil Blank lost his battle with cancer and passed away on Jan. 15. He was 57. A memorial service for the veteran singer/harmonica player/guitarist is scheduled for Jan. 30 at the Staley-Crowe Funeral Home in Deer Park starting at noon.

Tomorrow night's concert featuring the debut of a new trio that teams local Funk bassist Freekbass with acclaimed musicians Steve Molitz and DJ Logic has been postponed due to a road accident that's left Logic (pictured) unable to make it to Cincinnati.

Tonight the female-fueled One More Girl on a Stage festival kicks off at the York Street Cafe in Newport. The event — which starts tonight at 7 p.m. and continues tomorrow at the same time — features a diverse batch of local bands and solo performers. Proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer awareness/research.

Local music fans who like their Indie Pop noisy and creative need to check out Pop Empire, a new duo featuring Cameron Cochran (of The Sheds, Lions Rampant fame) and Henry Wilson. And, like Cochran's Sheds (which gave away all of its music free online), Pop Empire is recession-friendly. Head to popempire.com and download the band's debut EP, Rainy Child, for free.

This one's for the musicians reading (friends, fans and family, go take a smoke and/or potty break and tell your favorite local bands to come over here). Below are a few items that maybe of interest, including local performance opportunities and a chance to be heard on the TV.

Gas up the ol’ Tivo (that's how they run, right?) and set it for Jan. 23, when the Austin City Limits live music TV program (one of the best shows on television, especially for real music fans, and the longest-running one) airs its episode featuring Cincy-bred/Austin-based rockers The Heartless Bastards. Each hour-long show is split between two artists (unless ACL gets a big-wig like R.E.M. or Pearl Jam or, apparently, Them Crooked Vultures) — the Bastards' show will be shared with Neo Roots kings The Avett Brothers.

The hard work local experimental Rock/Soul/Pop/Prog/Glam oddballs Foxy Shazam have put in on the road the past couple of years is starting to pay off big time. Recent Foxy news includes everything from the impending release of the band’s major-label debut for Sire Records to gigging with Courtney Love in the U.K. to collaborations with Rock legend Meat Loaf.