The proceeds from the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards (coming up this Sunday at Covington's Madison Theater) have been donated to various music-affiliated charities over the years. For the 2011 edition, money from the show will again be given to the Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation. The non-profit organization has spent the past few years shining the spotlight on Cincinnati’s rich, often-overlooked musical past, reiterating the Queen City’s vital role in the development of so much popular music. CUSAMHF launches its inaugural membership drive with this year’s CEAs. VIP tickets for the CEA ceremony this year are $50 (click here to purchase) and include membership in the CUSAMHF’s Funky Drummer Society, named for the beat of James Brown’s “The Funky Drummer,” one of the most used drum samples in music history.

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If someone were to write a history of Cincinnati Hip Hop and didn't include at least a chapter dedicated to Mr. Dibbs, the tome would be about as useless as a Texas textbook. The DJ/producer's career stretches over two decades and his accomplishments have been wildly impressive (click here for CityBeat's 2005 profile of the DJ). But Dibbs' career is currently on hold; Dibbs has been unable to work after being diagnosed with Cirrhosis of the liver and enduring extremely expensive (but necessary) treatment. Now, several fans are working together to help raise funds for the musician, trying to "help ease the financial pains while he deals with physical ones."

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Earlier this year we told you about Northern Kentucky Roots band The Kentucky Struts' creative new album project, The Year of the Horse, which has gradually been released since January, with the band putting out one song a month online. As if that wasn't unique enough, the horse-themed album (with some proceeds being donated to a horse rescue organization) also includes another cool feature — each song has a corresponding piece of visual art, commissioned by the group. The Struts' intention was to release the album after 12 months of delivering single tracks and the release date is fast approaching — the Struts host a release party Dec. 17 at the Southgate House with support from The Sundresses. The Kentucky Struts are currently working to release Year of the Horse on vinyl, but it ain't cheap and they could use your help. The band has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds and are offering various perks (including some of the original artwork) for those who donate. Check out the video commercial for the project below.

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On the first day of 2012, the "classic" lineup of Dayton, Ohio's legendary Indie band Guided By Voices will release its first album, Let's Go Eat the Factory. The 21-track full-length features the GBV lineup that has been touring for the past year — Pollard, Mitch Mitchell, Tobin Sprout Greg Demos and Kevin Fennell. It' the first new album by this lineup since 1996's Under the Bushes, Under the Stars. GBV diehards won't have to wait for the calendar to change to hear the "chemistry" (Pollard's reasoning — along with market demand — for putting out new songs after breaking GBV up just a few years back). A 7-inch single for new album track "Doughnut for a Snowman" is being issued Nov. 28 and you can give it a listen below.

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Horny local ensemble The Cincy Brass hosts a free costume/Halloween party at MOTR Pub tonight. Sorry, I should say “The Heavy Metal Cincy Brass,” because the group, known for their brass renditions of Pop and Rock classics, will tackled a different realm of tuneage, performing their takes on songs by Black Sabbath, Tool, Rush, Led Zeppelin and many others. (Music starts around 10 p.m. with Skywalker featuring The Catalyst.)

Though going Metal (or perhaps more accurately, hard 'n heavy Rock), the Brass won't stay that way long (even if some of the new arrangements do carry over into some later sets). On Nov. 18, the increasingly popular band will release its debut album, Ain't Nuttin Louder, which features 11 original tracks (and two covers). Dig this "video press release" for the release party at MOTR Pub that night:

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On Saturday, Nov. 19, Mike Oberst of the fantastic local Folk trio The Tillers presents a benefit concert for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and the Mike Seeger Scholarship Fund at a Newport's Southgate House. The show is being put on in memory of Oberst's mother and Folk legend Mike Seeger, both of whom died from multiple myeloma cancer in the ’00s. The concert will feature some of the best of the local Roots music scene, as well as national acts, including members of Seeger's band The New City Lost Ramblers. The Tillers are not only performing, they'll be releasing their new album at the show (a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the cause). Tickets for the event are expected to go fast; get yours now ($12) here. Any remaining tickets will be available day of show for $15. Below is the full list of performers as well as a great trailer that explains the purpose and meaningfulness of the show.

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Music Tonight: Nineties Indie Rock stalwarts Sebadoh bring their "Bakesale/Harmacy Remembering Time Tour" to Newport's Southgate House tonight. The tour is in honor of the recent reissues of the 1994 and 1996 albums in the tour title. Our Jason Gargano spoke to Sebadoh main-man Lou Barlow for this week's CityBeat and some of Barlow's comments about the quality of music in the ’90s have caused a minor uproar with some of our readers (and Lou himself has even politely chimed in; check the comments). Of the ’90s, a typically blunt Barlow said (and it should be noted he laughed often while saying this), “To me the ’90s were one of the worst periods in music — easily, hands down.

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Locally born and bred musical icon Bootsy Collins celebrates his 60th birthday today! The living legend has a firm handle on his position near the top of any list of the most famous and important Cincinnatians, helping to design the blueprint for Funk music during his time as a crucial member of James Brown's band and, of course, his years holding down the low-end for Funk superheroes Parliament/Funkadelic. Those foundational years fiddling with the Funk recipe also made him one of the most crucial musicians in Hip Hop history — between his work with Brown and George Clinton (not to mention his solo work), there may not be another bassist on the planet whose riffs have been sampled more throughout Hip Hop's nearly 40-year history. In honor of Bootsy's 60th, enjoy a sampling of some of his many career highlights below, including the excellent Unsung documentary about the bass master.

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 When veteran Cincinnati musician Zach Mechlem launched his latest project, Mack West, a few years ago, he didn’t just form a new band — he created a new genre. Calling the band’s sound “AltWestern” to describe the dusty, often cinematic quality of its modern American Roots music, Mack West released its self-titled debut two years ago to much acclaim and, given the evocative, visceral nature of the songs, attention from the world of music licensing. Tracks from the album were used on various promo spots and TV shows, including History Channel’s American Pickers. 

Going into recording the follow-up, Mechlem and original members Will Campbell (bass) and Greg Slone (drums) bolstered their membership, adding guitarist (and album co-producer) Steve Wethington on guitar and violinist Annette Christianson. While the mood and spirit of the debut is still intact on the resulting album, The Goodnight Trail, Mack West’s sophomore effort doesn’t exactly expand on the trademark elements

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