Mountain Heart is a band that works hard to entertain, with the focus put on bringing high energy to the stage and working as a team, with every excellent musician getting their shot in the limelight.   

 About 10 years ago, Col. Bruce Hampton played the now-defunct Barrelhouse here in Cincy. Now, Hampton brings his latest band to Stanley’s Pub, following last year’s release of the documentary movie, Basically Frightened: The Musical Madness of Col. Bruce Hampton, Ret.  

Todd Rundgren first got the attention of the wider music world when he released the syrupy-yet-addicting Soft Rock hit “Hello It’s Me” in 1972. However, to his credit, once achieving stardom, Ru  

Rundgren’s own latest album is called State and it brings the long-time innovator into the modern scene full bore, with energetic stabs at Electronica, Dub Step and Techno, with his unique vocals and multi-layered/multi-instrumental arsenal thrown up against the electronics to see what sticks.
  

Dynamic Covington, Ky., group Kenny Peck & the Smoky Jack Band will celebrate their new album, Country Jack, Thursday at the Thompson House in Newport. Following up last year’s stripped-dow  

While his music is uniquely stylized, Lyle Lovett was Americana before Americana music was cool. When he appears at the Taft Theater this week, he will be with his all-star Acoustic Group, playing cuts off his new album, Release Me, and more.
  

Back in the 1970s, acoustic music began to expand and evolve. Bluegrass music morphed into many different genres, from Jamgrass and Newgrass to even more esoteric fare. One exciting new offshoot at th  

MilkDrive’s latest album is called Waves and it swings with a fun, light and breezy mid-1960s feel. The band brings mostly original music to the table, but they will also put a jazzy twist on songs by The Beatles and others along the way.  

It is always a fun endeavor to go to a smaller venue and see a band on the rise, to take in a group that has the potential for bigger and better things. That is the scenario for this week’s concert   

Cincinnati has been good to Gov’t Mule. The band has sold out multiple shows in the area over the years. Unlike many groups who may draw a “music lesson” crowd that tends to sit on its hands and