Happily Crazy

Acoustic rocker/”one man band” Bob Cushing is something of a local music institution; practically any night of the week, you can catch Cushing playing at some bar in Greater Cincinnati. He leaves the cover songs behind and shows off his songwriting chops on his fifth CD, Middle Aged Crazy, which gets the CD-release-party treatment Saturday at Allyn’s Café. Showtime is 9 p.m.

Cushing’s songs toggle between new and classic Country and Heartland Rock, while, topically, his lyrics range from personal insights and revelations to humorous observations. His charming, personable stage persona transfers well to his songwriting; after listening to his tunes, you get the sense that you know (and like) the guy. On his last disc, Cushing began singing, tastefully and honestly, about his newfound sobriety and that continues with Crazy‘s rock-bottom-but-looking-up ode “The Bottle Don’t Cut It.” But it’s Cushing’s wit that is most affable and appealing. The optimistic song “Music and Lovin” is reprised as the Bob & Tom Show-worthy bonus cut “Music and Pussy,” while the shuffling “C’mon Big Brother” sarcastically implores George Orwell’s not-so-fictional creation to help him along in life because “I’m too stupid to save myself.”

Cushing gets some help on the disc from local performers including Danny Frazier, Ricky Nye and Chris Goins, and each of the supporting players help give the songs their crisp, accomplished feel. Cushing seems to be at peace with the fact that he won’t ever be a superstar and, while a solid musical effort, Middle Aged Crazy probably won’t have any record company execs gassing up the jet to come see him play at Patrick’s Sports Bar. But the fact that Cushing is so comfortable with his current station in life comes through in every note on the album and it makes for a contagiously optimistic listening experience.

Cushing is making a living playing music right now, and it appears he wouldn’t have it any other way. As he sings on the title track, “I’m middle aged crazy/To be playing this young man’s game/You can have tomorrow/While I live for today.” (bobcushing.com)

More Local Notes
· Brandon Migliorisi and his Northern Kentucky band, rockers Krinj, have put together a massive benefit for Toys for Tots for this Saturday at Newport’s Southgate House. Utilizing the club’s three stages, the band will be joined by local favorites like Alone at 3am, Rescue Effort, Norust, Hideaway, The Horlah, Ellison, Fizzgig, Towhee, A Present Day Nightmare, Ben Smith and others for the 9 p.m. event. Admission is just $5 and all of the money goes to TFT.

· Toys For Tots seems to be a popular charity this week, particularly Saturday. Also on that night, over at Top Cat’s in Corryville, several more local bands will be donating proceeds from their gig to the organization. The Top Cat’s benefit features sets from Pain Link, Drug Store Valentine, Katana, Soul Casket (featuring new singer Andrea Simler-DeGolier), Wicked Intent, Retribution, Project Axiom and others. The cover is $5 for 21-and-up; $7 for 18-and-up; or free with one new, donatable toy. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

· Jazz/Soul/Fusion aficionados won’t want to miss the spectacular double bill featuring local Jazz legend Wilbert Longmire and Funk Fusion pioneer Roy Ayers this Saturday at the Este Conference Center in Winton Place. The 8 p.m. concert isn’t the first time the two veterans have shared a stage — most recently, this past summer, both artists’ bands were featured at a benefit show at the Cincinnati Zoo, where Longmire led the crowd in a birthday serenade to the vibraphone king. For ticket info, contact show sponsor WCIN at 513-281-7180.

· Local Bluegrass fave Katie Laur and her all-female Bluegrass band present a Christmas concert at the Aronoff Center on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The show is the latest in a recent series of fund-raising concerts for Women’s Way, an organization promoting and celebrating women in the arts.

· John Lennon was killed 25 years ago Thursday and some of the city’s top local performers will be on hand that night to celebrate the life and songs of the ex-Beatle for a tribute concert at the Rohs Street Café, starting at 8 p.m. Playing a mix of Lennon classics and their own work will be Rob Fetters, The Graveblankets, Mike Helm, David Wolfenberger, Todd Henry, Maurice Mattei, Ricky Nye, Ashley Peacock, Janet Pressley, Jayne Sachs and The Sweeneys. The show, dubbed “The 25 Year Echo: A Tribute to the Legacy of John Lennon,” is being presented by local Roots label Blue Jordan Records and proceeds go to the Foster Children Enrichment Council. Admission is $5. (bluejordan.com)

This article appears in Dec 7-13, 2005.