Chris Walker's stellar musical abilities were showcased all over the Cincinnati music scene for the past few decades. His cool, kind nature and mad bass skills earned him a place in innumerable bands throughout his career, and his talent knew no genre boundaries, as he seemed comfortable (if not masterful) playing almost any style of music. A memorial service for Walker, who died July 3 from serious injuries sustained in a 2007 car accident, will be held Saturday at the Crossroads Community Church in Oakley followed by a celebration of his life and music at Stanley's Pub.   

Two years ago, young singer/songwriter Nathan Holscher released his second album, 'Even the Hills,' a moody, mesmerizing slab of ethereal, transcendent Americana that helped make the relatively new Cincinnati resident a much buzzed-about local artist. Holscher has improved on that work with the new release, 'Hit the Ground,' and this time he's not alone, using the name Nathan Holscher & the Ohio 5 to give props to his current back-up band of ace local players.