Event Type : ENTERTAINMENT

 “Rock and Roll Mercenary” – a funny, story-laden guide on “how-to” crawl your way into the music industry.

Professor Marky Ray- Master of Music- Born and raised in CLE / NEO

For the past five decades Marky Ray (a former member of the Jim Rose Circus, The Lyres, the terrible parade, Death of Samantha, New Salem Witch Hunters, others) has graced stages the world over as a Performer, Musician, Artist, and Entertainer. He is renown as The “Rock and Roll Mercenary” in addition to the aforementioned bands; Marky has worked, toured, and played (in any number of different job descriptions and capacities) with Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Butthole Surfers, Toadies, Die Warzau, The Cramps, The Pagans, Human Switchboard (numerous others) and on the Lollapalooza debut tours of 1991+ 92.  He is also known for his voiceover work, emcee skills, and occasionally bringing down the house with Akron’s own The Walking Clampetts. Marky is also the Outdoor Stages Production Manager of the Annual Tri-C Jazzfest- a two-day Festival featuring over 25 bands on two stages. 

For the past 20 years Marky has been teaching his highly successful class Concert Technical Production –RAT 1600 at Cuyahoga Community College and the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland Ohio (where he is also the Production Manager), where his book: “Rock and Roll Mercenary”- serves as his Rock and Roll life story, and class textbook.  He is also a Journeyman member of I.A.T.S.E. Local # 48 Akron / Canton Stagehands working at such Northeast Ohio venues as Blossom Music Center, The Akron Civic Theater and E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, among others.

Marky received his Master of Music Degree in Music History and Literature from the University in Akron in August of 2014. His master’s thesis confirms Cleveland and Northeast Ohio’s underappreciated contributions to the New Wave and Punk Rock movements of the Late 1970’s and early 80’s. Most recently he has worked extensively with the NEO Sound Group at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum and Library + Archives and the Cleveland Memory Project in donating a many important pieces of personal memorabilia, and historical documents that have been given and willed to him by various important local music legends and industry insiders. Including, many rare articles, and artifacts that belonged to the late 1960’s poet d a levy. For the curious, a display of Marky’s tour materials, guitar tech tools, and a quote referring to the touring lifestyle, can be found in the “Backstage Stories” display case in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland Ohio.

One Night Live, a first-of-its-kind collaborative project featuring rising artists Ellie Williams, Sofia Lafuente, and Farayi Malek, kicks off a 3-week tour on May 16 with more dates to be added. The tour is a partnership with locally owned independent venues that serve as the heartbeat of their communities across the East Coast, South, and Midwest, nurturing emerging talent and providing them with opportunities to hone their craft. The One Night Live artists will perform alongside local and regional artists selected by each venue. Tickets for the tour are on sale now. Each musician will perform their own set every night, and, in an effort to create a more efficient touring model, each will serve as the backing musicians while the other takes center stage. You can watch a performance featuring Williams, Lafuente, and Malek filmed at a tour preview concert in Concord, Massachusetts, here:

Farayi: https://youtu.be/N6VQsDfuGdg,

Sofia: https://youtu.be/AOCmweEZ-6g,

Ellie: https://youtu.be/WrqGpixCSBE

One Night Live is a touring initiative produced with a fresh approach, as a collaboration between three like-minded organizations working to improve the music ecosystem. Live Music Society supports a large and growing network of small performance venues across the U.S. through multiple grant programs – over $4 million issued with 210 grants to 180 venues since 2020; D-TOUR is a network of independent venues and promoters focused on working with emerging artists and small independent venues to route tours, offering indie artists locally owned, unique venue experiences across multiple markets; and Salt Lick Incubator supports independent artists in building sustainable careers. Salt Lick Incubator has been working closely with the artists featured on the tour via writing camps, collaborations, gig opportunities, and branding/marketing support to help set them up for success.

The tour illustrates what can be possible in the midst of challenges that artists and venues face: the economics of touring are more prohibitive than ever, there is less support for rising artists to build their careers and tour, and locally-owned small independent venues, which are important creative community hubs and crucial launchpads for artists, operate on razor thin margins. 

Together Live Music Society, D-TOUR, and Salt Lick Incubator have envisioned a new model that enables rising young artists to break into new markets and build their fanbase – tapping into local scenes and meeting local bands – as well as introducing venues to new talent.  It shines a spotlight on the importance of incubators, working with talented artists that need assistance and making tours a more viable option. It also highlights the importance of independent, locally-owned venues to the artist development ecosystem.  

The collaboration represents three organizations that care about the same things yet have different skill sets and resources. Live Music Society is providing financial support for the tour, and nearly half of the venues have received funding through Live Music Society’s grant program. D-TOUR worked with its affiliate venue members to book the tour, organize the routing, identify local support acts and market the shows. Salt Lick Incubator is providing financial support, marketing and tour logistics in addition to their incubation work with the three artists.

Live Music Society, while working closely with a large network of small performances venues over the past five years, has heard from several venues requesting funds through grant applications to enable them to present emerging artists, a goal that can be financially challenging. One Night Live matches this desire to take a risk in programming, to take a chance on exciting new talent, with external funding that can help to keep their doors open.

Cat Henry, executive director of Live Music Society, states: “The venues in our community want to, and need to, present new artists and welcome touring acts and new customers into their spaces, but it is becoming financially harder and harder to go on tour, and harder to run a smaller venue. When beloved venues close, their social media accounts are often full of comments like, ‘Oh no, I loved that place!’ or ‘What a huge loss,’ but without support it’s not an overstatement to say we risk losing a platform for a generation of promising talent. Artists need places to play, places to stay, and people to listen, and with our partners in One Night Live, we can help make this happen and demonstrate a model that might increase the odds of success for all involved.”

Says Tom DeGeorge, COO, D-TOUR: “D-TOUR is thrilled to be working with LMS to create better opportunities and sustainable paths for developing artists like the talented artists at Salt Lick as well as other incubators around the country. Now more than ever these pathways are needed to protect the relationship between independent venues and artists as well as to enhance the experience of the music fan who finds value and joy in discovering their next favorite artist in this intimate setting for one night live.”

Says Liza Levy, President, Salt Lick Incubator: “Salt Lick Incubator is committed to helping artists build sustainable careers and a crucial component of that is the ability to tour. It has become exceedingly difficult for an emerging artist to build their hard ticket history if they don’t land a coveted opening slot on a bigger tour and or have a viral moment. The support that Live Music Society, D-TOUR, and these independent venues are providing in this non-traditional way is a formidable win for the developing artist community.”

(L to R: Sofia Lafuente, Farayi Malek, Ellie Williams) Photo credit: Jim Sabitus

ABOUT

Ellie Williams (she/her) is a 23-year-old singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, known for her evocative blend of sounds inspired by Fleet Foxes, Maggie Rogers, and Norah Jones. With introspective lyrics, lush atmospheric production, and haunting melodies, Ellie’s music explores themes of self-reflection, queer identity, and personal growth. Her honest narratives not only shape inventive pop sounds but also create space for queer stories and voices to resonate and connect. With over 14 million streams across four singles and her debut EP Warning Signs, Ellie has cultivated a loyal fanbase and is set to release her highly anticipated sophomore EP in 2025.

Sofia Lafuente (she/her) is a Spanish-American artist and songwriter whose bicultural, bilingual upbringing lies at the heart of her introspective and emotionally charged music. Split between Miami and Madrid, Sofia has quickly made a name for herself in the Latin alternative music scene. Her ethereal vocals and evocative storytelling have earned her a dedicated following. Drawing inspiration from artists like Lana Del Rey, early Shakira, and Lizzie McAlpine, Sofia’s music resonates with listeners who connect to her vulnerability and emotional depth. Beyond her solo work, Sofia is also a sought-after songwriter, lending her distinctive voice and introspective lyrics to a variety of creative projects. With a growing presence in the industry, she continues to captivate audiences, solidifying her status as an artist to watch.

Farayi Malek (she/her) is a Grammy-nominated vocalist, world traveler, and solo artist returning to her musical roots. Raised in Southern Idaho by a Zimbabwean immigrant father and a white American mother, she grew up playing the fiddle and embracing diverse cultures. Farayi blends childhood gospel with blues and jazz, creating resonant songs that showcase her effortless vocals. Her debut roots project, produced by Alain Mallet, highlights her unique songwriting, with tracks like “Tonight” demonstrating her accessibility. A Salt Lick Incubator award-winner, she’s mentored by artists like T-Bone Burnett and Jon Batiste. Farayi also teaches at Berklee and New England Conservatory, inspired by her students to pursue her artistic career. Driven by a desire to help others feel seen, she connects with audiences through her soulful voice.

(L to R: Ellie Williams, Sofia Lafuente, Farayi Malek) Ellie 📷: Sam Victoria | Sofia 📷: Zoila Molina | Farayi 📷: Najee Visuals

TOUR ROUTING +  TICKET LINKS

5/16 | GRAMPS | MIAMI, FL

5/17 | CROWBAR | TAMPA, FL

5/19 | WILL’S PUB | ORLANDO, FL

5/20 | ALTAR (MASQUERADE) | ATLANTA, GA 

5/21 | FLAT IRON | GREENSBORO, NC

5/22 | SONGBYRD | WASHINGTON D.C.

5/23 | SMILING MOOSE | PITTSBURGH, PA

5/24 | JILLY’S MUSIC ROOM | AKRON, OH

5/26 | THE SOUTHGATE HOUSE REVIVAL | NEWPORT, KY

5/27 | THE MONARCH | LOUISVILLE, KY

6/01 | DRKMTTR COLLECTIVE | NASHVILLE, TN

D-TOUR is a network of independent venues and promoters focused on working with emerging artists and small independent venues to route tours, offering indie artists locally owned, unique venue experiences across multiple markets. https://d-tour.live/

Live Music Society is a nonprofit whose mission is to recognize and protect small venues across the United States, keeping live music accessible to all. https://www.livemusicsociety.org/

Salt Lick Incubator is a nonprofit which supports independent artists in building sustainable careers. Artists are selected by advisory board members: Jon Batiste, Julia Michaels, Susan Tedeschi, Harvey Mason Jr. Charlie Puth, Patrice Rushen, among others. https://www.saltlickincubator.org/

OUTDATED VIEW – Akron/Cleveland alternative rock blues band.

Formed in 2015 Outdated View is the culmination of four individuals coming together sharing the love of playing and creating.  Since their inception of playing covers of old blues and rock songs in the basements of Kenmore Ohio, Outdated View has created an exciting blend energetic alternative rock, strong blues tones and inspirations, and bits of progressive and psychedelic rock and roll.  For the past seven years Outdated view has been sharing its unique blend of original music through out their home state of Ohio and now they are ready to share that with you.

ACT CASUAL, a dynamic fusion band hailing from Detroit, has garnered attention for their electrifying performances, haunting harmonies, and innovative improvisational style. Merging elements of blues, funk, extended instrumentals, and catchy pop melodies, the band has become a vibrant force within the Midwest music scene. Their rise from intimate basement jam sessions to sold-out performances at renowned venues such as Detroit’s Magic Stick, Ann Arbor’s Blind Pig, and Columbus’s Woodlands Tavern reflects their growing popularity and dedicated fanbase.

In addition to their local engagements, Act Casual has made significant strides in the festival circuit, performing at prominent events such as Summer Camp Music Festival, Hookahville, Weekend at the Cave, Solshine Reverie, Summer’s End Smokeout, Ann Arbor Hash Bash, and Arts Beats & Eats. The band was honored to perform at a Bernie Sanders rally and has also shared the stage with notable national acts including Bootsy Collins, Wishbone Ash, Larry McCray, Laith al-Saadi, Brendan Bayliss and Ryan Stasik of Umphrey’s McGee, Ekoostik Hookah, Spafford, Dopapod, Ben Carrey of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Moon Hooch, Muruga Booker and Gabe Gonzalez of Parliament Funkadelic, The Werks, Mihali, Magic Beans, Dixon’s Violin, and The Nth Power.

Act Casual’s palpable stage presence and energetic performances have attracted media attention, leading to features in publications such as Rolling Stone, The Detroit Metro Times, Local Spins, The Stratton Setlist, and Music Connection Magazine. Their latest album, which has surpassed 50,000 streams on Spotify and received airplay on 101 WRIF and 101.9 WDET, has solidified their status in the independent music scene. Looking ahead, the band plans to return to the studio in the Spring of 2025.

The Buffalo Ryders – singer-guitarist Joe Risdon, drummer Mike Lupica, bassist Mike Coduto hail from Akron, OH. Known for their blend of raw, riff-heavy alternative rock, the band is touring the midwest and southeast in support of their latest album “Never on Time”. Risdon and Lupica founded the band with their debut EP “Egghead” (2019) followed up by their debut full-length album “Where the Liars Go” (2021), sophomore album “Going Nowhere” (2022), and newest album “ Never on Time” (2024). More information on The Buffalo Ryders can be found on social media and at www.buffaloryders.com.

Wear Your Dancin’ Shoes!
Hailing from Akron, Ohio, Swizzle Stick Band is a big band with a big sound! Playing Motown, Funk, Soul and Rock N Roll favorites from the 60’s through today, you’ll want to tap your feet and move to the groove when you hear them play!

Join host and local music icon Tyler Hawes as he brings in 3 incredibly talented and very different musical acts who all must face the unique challenge of performing the EXACT SAME SETLIST as each other. 

Here’s the rundown: Each act will perform a 7 song set. Each of the 3 acts will contribute 2 songs to this setlist. The 7th song will be chosen by popular vote. What a spectacle! In a given evening, you will experience the same rotation of songs, spanning both era and genre, interpreted in wildly different fashions by some of the best performers around. We bet you’ve never enjoyed hearing the same tunes 3 times in one night as much as you will at InterpRotations at Jilly’s Music Room!

Akron Urban League Young Professionals Celebrate Black Music Month

Get your tickets now for the Black Music Month Kickoff — a dynamic evening of live performances at Jilly’s Music Room in downtown Akron. Featuring Grammy-nominated Akron artist DaLomonze, Cleveland’s soulful Billie Mitchell, and Headliner Esther Fitz with her full band, this show is a celebration of Black music’s power and legacy.

Screaming Engines is a high-energy rock band based in Kent, Ohio, delivering raw and electrifying performances that resonate with fans of both classic and modern rock. Known for their dynamic stage presence and a sound that blends powerful riffs with emotionally charged lyrics, the band has become a local favorite and is rapidly gaining a broader audience.

With “Get Humble” Handsome Jack digs again into the classic American musical lexicon (blues, soul, country, rock n’roll) to craft a timeless rock album ideal for house and block parties. “Get Humble” is packed with soulful vocals, swampy guitars, countrified rock, and west coast vocal harmonies. Their most accomplished album to date.

Hailing from Lockport NY, Handsome Jack plays a fusion of boogie soul rock n roll that has earned the admiration of fellow rock travelers such as Chris Robinson and Neal Casal (CRB, Black Crowes), Zachary Gabbard (Buffalo Killers), and Ben McLeod (All Them Witches) among many others.

Handsome Jack is Jamison Passuite (guitar/vocals), Joey Verdonselli (bass/vocals), and Bennie Hayes (drums/vocals).

PROCEEDS BENEFIT B&V COMMUNITY RESOURCE HOUSE

Walkups Welcome. $5/Door. REMAINING SEATS FCFS. NOTE! New, earlier showtime!

15 60 75 The Numbers has been praised by almost every national music publication and several international publications since the beginning of their 50 years of live performances and recordings. Many fans are under the impression that the band remains obscure by choice. In fact, they have never been offered a contract from any recording company in the industry, ever.

The music “cannot be categorized”, “cannot be defined”, “is too original”. The music industry is not about music anymore. It is about selling products the public can relate to. After all, it is a business. Even “alternative” music has become a label. The founder of the band, Robert Kidney, explains, “The music industry, the media, and the tellsusourvision (TV) are defining for the American public what is good music by only playing and supporting what is profitable. We are taught to disregard everything that is not familiar. We (The Numbers Band) give the people our best. Our effort goes into being creative, unique and original. We define our own sound. There are no rules because we don’t play the game. We are not in it for the game, we’re in it for the music.”

So, the band continues to create and evolve outside of the “Rock & Roll” establishment. The majority of the recordings were financed by friends who loved the music enough to put up their own money. Hundreds of photographs taken of the band in different stages of it’s existence by different amazing people tell a story of intense performances, long nights, and the passing of time. Band members have come and gone, and returned again. Robert sees music as much more than an emotional release or a performance. It is a job, a job for which he demands respect and payment for services.

Robert Kidney picked up a guitar and began teaching himself to play when he 16. He bought a 45 record called Guitar Boogie Shuffle and his cousin, Larren Hesson, taught Robert the licks. He also taught him to play one of his favorite songs, Riders On The Storm. At 17, Robert played solo in coffee houses and also opened for several acts at La Cave in Cleveland such as Linda Rhonstadt and the Stone Ponys and Janis Ian. He never found the time to learn to read music. After a short stint in the service in Chicago, he moved back to northeast Ohio in the spring of 1969. A friend, Gary Hawk, had formed a band called Pig Iron in Wadsworth, Ohio. Robert opened for them at the Akron Art Museum and several band members asked him to come to a rehersal sometime. When Robert did show up, Gary had left the group, and the remaining members wanted him to be their front man. Robert changed the name of the band to 15 60 75.

The title of the band has always aroused curiosity from fans. The fans called them The Numbers because it was easier than trying to get the figures right. Numbers had not been used in a name before, and the political climate in 1970 was quite Orwell-ian. Robert choose a sequence of numbers mentioned in a book written by Paul Oliver called The Blues Fell This Morning. In the chapter “The Jinx Is On Me”, Oliver describes the Numbers Racket popular in Harlem in the 1950s and how dreams were analyzed as number sequences and used for placing bets. The band’s music theory specialist, Terry Hynde, also discovered that 15 divided 15 is 1, 60 divided by 15 is 4, and 75 divided by 15 is 5. In a musician’s world, “1, 4, 5,” is referred to as the “universal progression”.

The band resides in northeast Ohio. They have several recordings under their belt and more music than they can afford to release. Robert has recorded and toured with Anton Fier and his Golden Palominos. Robert and his brother, Jack, have toured Holland twice. The brothers also traveled to London, England in 1998 to perform in the Disastodrome! production by David Thomas. The entire band went to London to perform at the Royal Festival Hall in 2000. For more information on the production, and The Kidney Brothers, go to The Brothers And The Blues Abstract. This band has an incredibly interesting history. Continue with reading Modern Is Just Old Hat Chromed. A History., or better yet, go to The Schedule and check them out live.

“We are not interested in making hits, we are interested in making history.”
Robert Kidney, Creem magazine.

Join host and local music icon Tyler Hawes as he brings in 3 incredibly talented and very different musical acts who all must face the unique challenge of performing the EXACT SAME SETLIST as each other. 

Here’s the rundown: Each act will perform a 7 song set. Each of the 3 acts will contribute 2 songs to this setlist. The 7th song will be chosen by popular vote. What a spectacle! In a given evening, you will experience the same rotation of songs, spanning both era and genre, interpreted in wildly different fashions by some of the best performers around. We bet you’ve never enjoyed hearing the same tunes 3 times in one night as much as you will at InterpRotations at Jilly’s Music Room!

Join host and local music icon Tyler Hawes as he brings in 3 incredibly talented and very different musical acts who all must face the unique challenge of performing the EXACT SAME SETLIST as each other. 

Here’s the rundown: Each act will perform a 7 song set. Each of the 3 acts will contribute 2 songs to this setlist. The 7th song will be chosen by popular vote. What a spectacle! In a given evening, you will experience the same rotation of songs, spanning both era and genre, interpreted in wildly different fashions by some of the best performers around. We bet you’ve never enjoyed hearing the same tunes 3 times in one night as much as you will at InterpRotations at Jilly’s Music Room!