David Ward sent this email... "Not sure if there are any benefits that are going on to help others out during the Holidays, but if there are and they are in need of artists to donate time/talent. I am available to help out. They can hear any of the music at www.davidgward.com. I am more than willing to donate time and talent for any cause that helps those in need this Holiday Season and beyond." Check out David's website and music, and be sure to take him up on his offer.

Bass player needed... "Mahoning Valley based band, G-Force is looking for a bass player. This working band with a steady following plays approximately two to three times per month and practices weekly in the Niles area. We will be holding auditions for a new member who will bring excitement and a desire to play classic rock, modern dance songs and blues. If you are interested in auditioning, please contact either Gina at 330-554-5548 or Keith at 330-469-7831"

"STROBE NATION is trying to put together a 3 day show @ Bristol Inn, no date set, looking for local talent to play, original music preferred, but good renditions welcome.."

Raise the Wood" This Friday, October 19th. Proceeds will be used to mount the World's Largest Drumsticks in Dave Grohl Alley, one block south of Courthouse Square in Warren. Bands start at 5 p.m. in the Alley, including Larry Long Jr. & the Backsliders, Jones & Company, Shotgun Willy, and a special jam session. Local TAG artists will produce themed collaborative art for auction. Beer, wine, Sunrise Pizza, and souvenirs will be available. Donations will also be accepted.

From Beth Glancy... "BAND NEEDED! Hey there my Artists Friends!!! This poker run needs some kick ass classic southern rockin biker music! As you see the date is very close! Anyone who would donate some time and talent for this event? Get ahold of me 330.240.3729 If you are interested let me know where I can listen to your music on line! Hurry!!!" The event is the 1st Annual Founding Fathers RC Freedom Run, Veterans Memorial Park, 8005 Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Clinton OH, next Saturday 9/29/2012.

Sax player needed... "Arguably the longest running and hardest working Youngsown r&b group (at it since 1979!) considering adding a talented sax player. Serious. Talented. Dedicated. Zero excuses. If this is you and you're ready to get paid on a consistent basis message me. See www.thevegasband.com to see where we've come from and where we are going. two sites there: current band and history. Check em both out!" Contact Rick Earnhardt - www.facebook.com/rick.earnhardt.7

It's almost time for RoxFest again. This year's is the fifth annual and the biggest and best yet, at Buffalo Hollow on Friday and Saturday, 8/24-25. Click here for more info and the list of 30+ acts.

The Austintown Quaker Steak & Lube is looking for bands for a "Country Nite" on Saturdays. Opening acts play 7 to 8 and main acts 8 to 10. Email Danielle Hall - Dhall@Thelube.com.

I apologize to everyone affected by the virus placed on this website the end of June - those who wanted to access this site but couldn't, the unfortunate few who didn't receive a warning and were infected, and those who link back to this site and also showed a virus warning because of it. I'm in the process of taking steps to avoid that kind of situation in the future.

Youngstown Area “Renaissance” Woman Releases New CD... A concert at The Yoga Room (2232 Elm Rd., Warren, OH) on May 10, 2012 at 7:30pm will serve as the premier event for Grace of a Woman, a new recording by Jamie Marich. Click here for more info...

he Austintown Quaker Steak & Lube needs bands for a "Fake Fest" tribute event in August. Click here for more info...

oanna Sexton Spaghetti Dinner Benefit will be held this Sunday, March 11, from noon until 6:00 P.M. at The Hippodrome Banquet Center, 150 High St. in Warren. Donation is $6.00. The River Saints with Special Guests Mark Matteo and Jaykob Matteo will play from 3 to 6.

Thanks to two new sponsors... Rock Shotz - Elaine Eickhoff of Every Angle Photography will apply her talents for your band promo photos, music event, and any occasion that would benefit from a professional photographer. Guitar Slinger Music is "the Region's Premier Repair and Custom Shop" and will fulfill all your instrument-related needs. All of our sponsors are greatly appreciated. Check then out by clicking on their ads, and let them know you saw them on MVLiveMusic.com. Your business can help this site support local live music with a sponsorship - the details are on the Sponsors page.

Guitar Slinger jam... I got word (several, actually) that Roger Lewis, of the 60's band Poppy, and Gary Markasky would be at the Guitar Slinger music store jam last night, 3/1, so I made sure to be there. I didn't shoot any video but I did get some photos which are in the slideshow above. Despite the fact that the music was unrehearsed there were many outstanding moments, of course, with such amazing players - Gary, Roger, Varg Freeborn (the owner), Frank Castellano, Keith Burke (currently of G-Force), and many others. Some other info I picked up on last night ... Roger will soon be moving back to the area. And Viking Jim is revamping his Youngstown Rock & Groove website. I got to see a couple of Gary's guitars that Varg is working on - a 50's Les Paul with a broken headstock and an ancient Strat he's refretting, which Gary says he has refused to sell to Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and others. That's what he said, ask him yourself!

Joe Vitale Jr. interview ... Our Canton neighbor talks about his music, bands, and videos, and growing up around (and performing with) Walsh, Crosby, Stills, Nash, the Doobies, and many others. Watch here: http://youtu.be/7_cfoUO-Z04

"My (music) philosophy is to give strength, to give people something they feel empowered after they listen..." Joe Vitale Jr.

Special thanks to Scott Austalosh, the brains behind the Ballyhoo Music Festival, for organizing this interview. Mark your calendar for April 21st, "Cider Night" at the Lemon Grove - Joe Vitale Jr. solo, Hoss & the Juggernauts, and book signing by Joe Vitale (Sr).

Latest band videos... From the last two weeks - Shades of Gray performing their song "Mardi Gras" at Rock for a Cure, Faces Lounge... the Bridge (two videos) at the Wagon Wheel... Shovelhead at the Highland Ave. NAUS... The Blues Devils (two videos, including their "Pretty Woman") at Little Wing Cafe... Sound Bite (two songs / one video) at Longboyz.

Previously unannounced, in case you missed them, from December - Mr. Lucky at the Holiday Bar... Jigsaw (two videos) at Milo's... LongShotz and After Midnight at the Toys for Tots benefit, American Legion 737... Madam Weez w/ Mark Briggs, Michael O'Grady, and Rick Hartley at SOI 2850... Jay Byrd (two videos) at Greene Eagle Winery.

Area 51 is back together and performing again, to the delight of their fans, for the fourth time in eleven years. You can catch them tonight (12/30) at Quench Bar & Grill, on New Years Eve at the Clark Bar, and on 1/27 at Cricket's. Better catch one or more of these shows because it's anyone's guess how long they'll last this time!

John McGreevey deserves a special "thank you" for his generous unsolicited donation to this website. John played in area bands in the 70's and has returned home from Toledo to take the stage at the Blues Benefit Reunion Concerts the past three years. In fact, you can listen to him play in videos from those concerts on this site. Although he no longer resides in the Valley, John appreciates this site's support of local live music and asked if he could help with a contribution, which was gratefully accepted. Thanks again, John.

It has been suggested that I put a "Donate" link button, or something similar, on this page to help with the expenses of maintaining this website and related travel costs. I don't use a tip jar when I play, and you probably won't ever see that button here, either. But, just as I don't turn down unsolicited customer tips, I won't refuse site donations. The Sponsors ads in the column to your right have always been my primary plan for offsetting expenses. Unfortunately I haven't made the effort to "pound the pavement" (the current sponsors have all approached me for ads), but I hope to change that situation soon. Meanwhile, if your business, or a friend's business, would like to be seen in 10,000+ page views/month in an ad on this site, please email so we can discuss it. It's cheaper than you can imagine. The details are at the bottom of the Sponsors page. And, dear readers, please tell my sponsors that you saw their ad here.

More original music by local musicians in the MVLiveMusic.com player, thanks to Modern Roots, LJ Fortier, Signature Event, and Frankie Hunkus...

Frankie sent in two songs that demonstrate his diverse talents - acoustic ballad "Shade Tree", and "The Chase", a rockin' instrumental.

Austintown's Signature Event describes their "Context" release, and tunes "6/8" and "The Question", as tracing "various genres and soundscapes; it is a multitextured collection that explores the meaning of existence, 21st century surveillance paranoia, the infinite chambers of the subconscious, and the last echoes of the death of that consciousness."

LJ Fortier submitted his CD collection of vintage recordings of his 70's band Freeman Sound, appropriately titled "LJ's Mix". I have included two tracks here - LJ's "Time Has No Sympathy", and "Wanting To Be Free", penned by bandmate John Harrow. You can also watch videos of John and LJ performing as Freeman Sound at the 2011 Breast Cancer Benefit Reunion.

Modern Roots also graciously mailed their CD "No Apologies". You can hear two cuts here, "Strike" by guitarist Ken Baker and "As If We Knew" by keyboardist Jeff Alviani. Jeff recorded five albums with "Mississippi Magic" Terry Evans, along with Ry Cooder and Jim Keltner, before returning to Ohio and joining Modern Roots. The band will be playing at Fernengels this Saturday, 1/21.

Scroll down through the music player list to hear the new additions without waiting for them in random play. Check out the artists' websites for additional music and information.

Did you notice the new "Link-back Friends" banner? This site has links to over 1,300 band/musician and venue pages. Many return the favor by linking back to MVLiveMusic.com. The banner pays recognition to those who honor us with a link. If you install a link to this site on your web page (or you already have one that I missed), please let me know and I will add your site to the banner.

Fifth Anniversay 2/2007 - 2/2012 ...  It's been fun so far, even considering the last five years have been a struggle for live music in the Valley. The scene is starting to improve and the next five years should be a gas! Mahoning Valley Live Music will continue to keep you informed about the local bands and where they're playing. Meanwhile, here's what we've accomplished so far:

• Over 700 local bands and musicians listed.
• 500+ live music venues listed.
• 1,300 links to band and venue websites.
• 60-120 live music events listed per week (that's 20,000 so far!)
• 89 original songs in the music player.
• 793 band videos uploaded since October 2008.
• Over 10,000 page views per month! (this site - YouTube and Photobucket pages not included in count)

Thanks to all my visitors, the bands, the sponsors, and the bars that have been supporting this site.

Bands wanted for Mustang’s Rockin’ Night Out...
Beth Glancy is seeking bands to perform at the fourth annual Mustang’s Rockin’ Night Out, May 12th, Yankee Lake Ballroom (Bootleggers Saloon). MVLiveMusic attended the last couple and this one will be another great show that you won't want to miss... click here to read more

Guys Without Ties Band Celebrates 20th Anniversary...
Local band Guys Without Ties will celebrate 20 years of music this year, reports Dale Janus, founding member. The band was started in January 1992 by Dale Janus, Bill Hrusovsky and Dr. Tom Abruzzi. They wanted a horn driven rock band that would integrate the power of a brass section with all varieties of rock and pop music... click here to read more