23 April, 2015
Bob Cushing: Troubadour Songs
Bob Cushing: Troubadour Songs
By: Moose Gronholm
Bob Cushing has been troubadour in this area for 26 years playing shows and trying to make a living at it. For his latest project he recruited his long time friend, mentor, guitar teacher, and his greatest influence on his playing Chris Goins (of Hu Town Holler and many other projects and bands). Chris played all the guitars, did some backing vocals, some tambourine, and even produced this album for his long time friend. The recruited some other help as well to round out the songs Brian Baverman on drums, John Castetter on bass, Ricky Nye (piano, organ, and accordion), Karen Addie fiddle, and Kenny Cowden on harp for “Smoker’s Blues.” With this cast of incredibly talented musician’s Bob Cushing’s songs are now seeing the light of day, which he told me in a recent conversation, are rounded out and given the gusto they need to be country songs. Bob Cushing and I had a conversation about this album and music in general.
When Bob was 14 he bought KISS ALIVE, and knew he wanted to be a musician. He took up guitar, and a with a few blips along the way went full steam ahead at age 18. At 23 he finally got the courage to get up and sing as well. Shortly thereafter he met his number one influence in Chris Goins. Though Chris is two years younger he has been in the biz for several years longer than Bob. Chris took Bob under his wing when Bob was starting out. According to Bob, Chris is “a musician’s musician, and a consummate pro, and has never steered me wrong or given me bad advice. He taught me how to be a professional, and even gave me guitar lessons for awhile which is how we first met.” With this latest album Bob enlisted the help of his best bud Chris. It had been nearly 10 years since their last studio album together, and their last album together was a double live album nearly 5 years ago. In total they have done 6 albums. To say it was TIME to release as Bob said is an understatement of sorts.
Troubadour Songs is a culmination of sorts for Bob. A writing binge came to him and the feeling that these songs needed to see the light of day was in the air. With the album Bob takes his country music and songs and gives you an honest take on a life lived playing music. 6 songs of some pretty darn good country music. The writing is simple yet unique, fun and honest. “I hope they’re grading on a curve when i come to the pearly gates,” is a testament to the writing, and with the musicianship on this latest album it molds Bob’s words into some great songs. Bob told me “I’m very fortunate to be friends with some of the best musician’s in Cincinnati, or ANYWHERE.” These songs are country and are pleasant listen. With it starting to get warmer out this 6 song album would be great to listen to while on a drive, just anywhere.
The album has been recorded and is done. What the future holds for Bob is putting this out on the internet machine. The CDBABY, amazon, and all the media outlets, and radio. In his words “my work is just getting started.” Playing shows as well is in there as well. Living the troubadour life. He will be at a local venue out on the West Side called The Crow’s Nest this Saturday for his release of this album. There is something about music that all musician’s love, and it is the sheer joy of just playing. I asked Bob, like I ask anyone I interview, why music? Of all things to do or pursue, why this? His answer was simple on no non-sense, probably my favorite one to date, he said “Why NOT? Beats diggin’ ditches!”
19 March, 2015
04 March, 2015
02 January, 2015
14 November, 2014
10 November, 2014
Noah Smith
Noah Smith:
A review by: Moose
Noah Smith is from our very own Cincinnati, Ohio really Brown County, but who's counting? He has been playing music and studying since a young age when he got his first telecaster (electric guitar), and then when he studied at the University of Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music. Through all of this he has "walked the hill both ways" and his finding his own way through his song, and his music.
Noah takes a little bit from rock and roll and a little from country and blends it together to give the songs a hard driving feel. "Makin that red neck noise" a line he sings in his new single "Let the Clutch Out." He has new EP that released this year back in April. Five songs worth of how it was growing up in a small town in Brown County, and where he is at presently. Songs that take you on through a life growing up with god and playing the devil. With a song like "Up Hill Both Ways" Noah lends to us a song who's story we can all seem to relate to. That older fella in our families who talks about walking to work barefoot in the snow, or like the song's title, walking "Up Hill Both Ways." We all have laughed at that Uncle, father, or grandfather when they have said that but Noah says wait don't judge me because I've been there and maybe I am there. Noah has knack for telling a feel good story or one that will make think through his songwriting. The melodies fit well around his lyrics, and make for some true songwriting. As the listener these are honest stories of where he has been, and that is what makes for a good song and an even better EP which is self-titled.
This Friday night, All Hallow's Eve, Noah will take the stage at the Southgate House Revival. Where for an evening he will treat to some rock and roll mixed with some country. With doing some writing out of Nashville, Tennessee and having this album recorded at the House of Blues (Nashville) Noah is certainly on his way for bigger things and living out a boyhood dream to simply, play music. Below you will find who else will be there, and the $250 best costume contest as well. So do yourselves a favor and head on over to the Southgate House Revival this Halloween night.
| |||||||||
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)