Lennon tribute at Rohs St. raises money for children

Twelve Cincinnati songwriters took the stage in a John Lennon tribute and benefit concert that raised nearly $800 for Foster Children Enrichment Council at the Rohs Street Café Saturday night.

Titled The 25 Year Echo: A Tribute to the Legacy of John Lennon, the event featured Rob Fetters of the Psychodots, Ric Hordinski, Ashley Peacock and Brian Lovely.

Originally scheduled for Dec. 8, the 25 year anniversary of Lennon's assassination, a day also proclaimed by Mayor Mark Mallory as "John Lennon Day," the event was rescheduled for better attendance.

David Wolfenberger, the event organizer, started off the night with his acoustic version of "Across the Universe" to a standing-room-only crowd in the main stage area of the café. Wolfenberger also played master of ceremonies throughout the night, introducing each of the other 11 songwriters before they took the stage.

The transition between acts were quick since they were all acoustic, and the three hours of music flew by.

With about 15-minutes per set, each act could play two songs, the first of which was always a cover of Lennon's work. Some artists then played their own work, though some chose to cover two of Lennon's songs.

For those who played one of their own songs, it most often was a song written with Lennon in mind. The Sweeneys performed their song "Lost In The Blue," written by Sweeneys' own Tim Kelly as a personal tribute to Lennon.

Ric Hordinski offset the mostly mellow, even-paced evening when he played his song "Sweetest Thing," a funky blend of guitar and vocals.

One of the most notable performances was Jayne Sachs. Sachs won grand prize in last years' John Lennon Songwriting Contest in the pop category for her haunting song, "Twisted Ballerina," a moving piece about a young girl dealing with molestation.

A last minute addition, Brian Lovely, seemed the most adept at holding the audiences attention with his stories before and between songs. He said he chose to play Lennon's "Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite!" because his 4-year-old son asked that he play the "circus song." The performance was the only one that included a recording, as well as a bright pink kazoo Lovely borrowed from his son. He premised his second selection "Star," by saying that is not for Lennon, but written with someone like Lennon in mind.

The evening ended with "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" off the Beatles' Help album. Wolfenberg was joined on stage by the performers who remained including Lovely, Sachs, The Sweeneys, Mike Helm and Janet Pressley. Wolfenberger lead the first verse, handing the second over to Lovely claiming he was unsure he remembered all the words. Members of the audience joined in to sing along with the band creating an energetic end to the night.