Dayton Music
The Rose Announces Two More Shows
DAVID FOSTER and CHRIS BOTTI Featuring KATHARINE MCPHEE at Rose Music Center on June 19!
Two of the most popular Grammy-award winning artists in the world announced they will tour together. Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti and 16 -time Grammy-award winning producer/songwriter David Foster, who have both collaborated with some of the biggest superstars on the planet, will put their musical talents together on a 12-City summer tour. Katharine McPhee will be a featured special guest. The triple-stacked tour will stop in Huber Heights, OH for a performance at Rose Music Center on Thursday, June 19.
Not only does this tour merge two of the top musicians in the world, it merges two musical genres: jazz and pop. The show is billed as a musical experience watching two of the most gifted artists of our time create a show and come together on stage.
Foster and Botti performed together for two very special events last year and had so much fun they decided to join forces for a US tour. David has always been a huge fan of jazz and of Chris Botti. David produced Chris’s latest album, Vol1.
Says David of Botti, “Simply put, Chris Botti is my favorite musician-yes he is an incredible “jazz” musician but he embraces every genre of music making him totally unique in the jazz world. He devotes his incredible talent to quality, not genre! It is my deep honor and privilege to share the stage with this gifted monster talent. We will definitely have a lot of fun and so will all those who come to the show.”
Says Chris of the tour and David Foster, “Working with the legendary David Foster has been one of the greatest journeys of my musical career. He is the most celebrated and talented producer, truly deserving of every accolade he has earned. Beyond that, he’s a dear friend, and I’m thrilled to be hitting the road with him this summer. We can’t wait to perform for you and share with you a very special night of music. Thank You, David – you are the greatest!”
Straight No Chaser Summer: The 90’s Part 2with special guest O-Town
After a totally fly 2024 summer tour packed full of 90s boy band, pop, and R&B hits, RIAA-certified Gold a cappella group Straight No Chaser is back by popular demand with “Straight No Chaser Summer: 90s Part 2.”. Featuring special guest O-Town, the not-to-be-missed concert of the summer returns to Rose Music Center at The Heights on Friday, July 25.
Featuring their own twist on 90s classics like Lisa Loeb’s “Stay (I Missed You),” “Everybody” by Backstreet Boys, “Linger” from The Cranberries, and Santana’s “Maria Maria,” Straight No Chaser brings audiences of all ages back to a simpler time, one unafraid of bright neons, loud prints, and cool boy bands.
“The ’90s were a time when music impacted people in a way that only nostalgia can recreate,”said Straight No Chaser member Seggie Isho. “We felt that connection with audiences last summer. Our fans are ready for more of that throwback magic and we’re ready to bring it! It’s not just about the songs though; it’s about reliving the energy, the vibe, and those unforgettable moments. Plus, we’ve got new 90’s inspired fits, new music, and even more hair gel (for some of us). Get ready to party!”
“I believe that everyone gets three rounds in their life,” says musician, songwriter, composer, arranger, producer, and recording artist David Foster. “For me, two are completed and I’m on to Round Three. I think you have to change it up every round. My mantra is retreat and attack in another direction, which I’vedone twice. Now I’m going to do it again.”
Foster’s first round was as a studio musician, arranger, and recording artist. His second round was becoming one of the most successful songwriters and record producers in history — shepherding albums that have collectively sold in the hundreds of millions. This period of his four-decade career also found him creating The David Foster Foundation and volunteering his time and talent to over 400 charities, as well as becoming a household name as a performer throughout Asia where he tours annually.
For his third round, Foster is gearing up to take on Broadway with several projects. These include writing the music for a new musical about the iconic, animated character Betty Boop, which will be directed by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell. He is writing the music for a musical based on the Amy Bloom novel and New York Times bestseller Lucky Us, directed by Tony Award-nominee Sheryl Kaller. Foster is also developing a scripted narrative one-man show based on the story of his career that he will perform himself.
As one of the most illustrious composers of our time, Foster’s skill set of creating hits, writing indelible melodies, and building dramatic moments, has primedhim for this third round. “I think Broadway and I are a perfect fit,” he says. “The story becomes the co-writer. It’s a new adventure and creative outlet for me that I’ve always believed I could do and now it’s become a reality. It’s also exciting because, as a producer, I’ve spent 35 years in a room with no windows, churning out music. Now I plan to immerse myself in New York theater culture and learn the ropes slowly, and I’m not afraid of that.”
Foster seems constitutionally incapable of resting on his laurels, and his relentless drive has propelled him throughout his career. Few other individuals can claim to have their fingerprints on more major moments in all of popular music than David Foster. He has created hit songs and award-winning gold and platinum albums for a diverse array of artists including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, Seal, Chaka Khan, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Chicago, Hall & Oates, Brandy, ’N Sync, Boz Scaggs, and Gloria Estefan. He has escorted singers who have straddled both pop and classical styles like Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban into the mainstream. He has created culture-defining soundtracks for blockbuster films like The Bodyguard, Urban Cowboy, and St. Elmo’s Fire; and crafted timeless holiday classics, including perennial best-sellers like Josh Groban’s Noel, Michael Bublé’s Christmas, Celine Dion’s These Are Special Times, Rod Stewart’s Merry Christmas Baby, Andrea Bocelli’s My Christmas, and Mary J. Blige’s A Mary Christmas.
For his remarkable work, Foster has won 16 Grammy Awards, including three for Producer of the Year, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, and racked up three Oscar nominations for “Best Original Song.” He has also earned a reputation as a keen spotter of new talent, playing a key role in the discovery and career launches of Celine Dion, Josh Groban, and Michael Bublé.
Tickets will go on sale to the public for both these shows beginning at 10AM on Friday, February 14 at Ticketmaster.comand the Rose Music Center Box Office.
Dayton Battle of the Bands featuring Americana / Bluegrass / Folk
Dayton Battle of the Bands 2025 continues with our COUNTRY / BLUEGRASS acts, featuring:
Emerald Alliance
Simon Fink Band
The Barnharts
The Wayward J’s
Not familiar with any of the bands participating? That’s the fun! This is a fantastic way to discover original, local music! Each ticket buyer gets one vote (in person).
The winner of this round earns a spot at the Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale, among other prizes!
Week 5 is held on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton).
Doors open at 7pm (NOTE: due to equipment load in, we cannot let patrons in earlier than 7pm).
Show runs from 7:30pm – 10pm. Winner announced at 10:30pm
Please be prompt to see all the bands performing!
Tickets are $10 advance / $15 at the door.
Advance tickets are recommended.
Rose Announces Two Shows: Bonnie Raitt & Buddy Guy
Bonnie Raitt is heading back out for her fourth year on tour just months after being recognized for her lifetime of artistic achievements as part of the Kennedy Center’s 47th Class of Honorees in Washington, DC last December. Raitt and her world-class band will headline theaters and amphitheaters around the country performing songs from her enduring catalog, including Rose Music Center at The Heights on Saturday, September 6. Her tour has taken her across the U.S. and Canada with stops overseas in Australia, England, Ireland, Scotland and Europe since the release of her critically acclaimed, three-time GRAMMY Award-winning studio album, Just Like That… in 2022.
Raitt said, “I’m looking forward to having my longtime pal and one of my favorite artists, blues legend Jimmie Vaughan & The Tilt-A-Whirl Band be our special guests for the late Summer tour. We’ve shared many gigs and duets over the years but never as a ‘double trouble’ co-bill. Bound to be some good blues rockin’ going on – can’t wait to hit the road together!” Vaughan agrees,“Thrilled to play some shows with my talented friend Bonnie Raitt and her band! It’s been a long time coming! Myself and The Tilt-A-Whirl Band are excited to be part of this great tour.”
Raitt earned her 31st GRAMMY nomination in December, Best American Roots Performance, for her contribution to the track “Nothing In Rambling,” a wonderful cover of Memphis Minnie’s song featuring Fabulous Thunderbirds founding member Kim Wilson, along with Bonnie, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal and Mick Fleetwood. The track appears on the Fabulous Thunderbirds’ latest album, Struck Down, also nominated for the GRAMMY Award for Best Traditional Blues Album.
Eight-time GRAMMY® Award-winning blues legend Buddy Guy is giving fans another chance to experience his electrifying live show with the newly announcedDamn Right Encore Tour. Extending his historic farewell run into summer 2025, the tour will feature headline dates across the U.S., including a return to Rose Music Center at The Heights on Saturday, June 14 with support by special guest Eric Gales.
As one of the last living legends of the blues, Buddy Guy has inspired generations of musicians, from Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton and John Mayer. His Damn Right Farewell tour has been a celebration of his extraordinary career, and the newly added Damn Right Encore dates give even more fans the opportunity to witness a blues master at work.
Tickets for both of these shows will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, February 7 at Ticketmaster.comand the Rose Music Center Box Office.
Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors To Play the Rose
Multi-platinum rock legends Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms have joined forces for an electrifying co-headlining summer tour. Currently headlining The 90s Cruise at sea, the bands behind iconic hits like “Run-Around” and “Hey Jealousy” have announced a 30-date tour set to kick off this July. The trek will bring their high-energy performances to amphitheaters and theater stages across the U.S., including Rose Music Center at The Heights on Saturday, July 12.
Blues Traveler — currently celebrating 30 years since the release of their GRAMMY® Award-winning breakthrough hit “Run-Around” — and Gin Blossoms will be joined on the tour by legendary alternative rock band Spin Doctors, best known for their chart-topping hit “Two Princes.”
Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, February 7 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.
John Popper of Blues Traveler shares, “Getting to play with dear old friends like Gin Blossoms and The Spin Doctors is one of the great benefits of a touring career that spans almost four decades now. These are exceptional players and performers, and they push us to play even harder. Everybody digs in and makes each other better. We are looking forward to a great year of music!”
“We can’t wait to rock this summer with our old friends Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors,” Chan Kinchla of Blues Traveler adds. “It’s gonna be a great run, lots of hits, lots of jammin’ and I’m sure plenty of cross pollinating. We are looking forward to seeing everyone all around the country this summer!”
Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms says, “We have a long and colorful history with Spin Doctors, and have crossed paths with Blues Traveler many times. A lot of people have great memories with these three bands. It will be a really fun summer.”
“Hitting the road with our friends Blues Traveler is going to be an absolute blast,” Jesse Valenzuela of Gin Blossoms continues. “These shows will be packed with great songs, good vibes, and the kind of summer nights you never forget.” Gin Blossoms’ Scott Johnson adds, “There’s nothing like the energy of a summer tour — great crowds, killer music, and the open road ahead.” We’re beyond excited to hit the stage with Blues Traveler.”
Spin Doctors’ guitarist Eric Schenkman shares, “We are absolutely stoked to hit the road this summer with our old pals and 90’s cohorts Gin Blossoms and Blues Traveler. It’s gonna be epic.”
ABOUT BLUES TRAVELER:
35 years ago, the four original members of Blues Traveler—John Popper, Chandler Kinchla, Brendan Hill, and the late Bobby Sheehan—gathered in their drummer’s parents’ basement in Princeton, NJ to jam. From these high school sessions emerged a band that would go on to release a total of 14 studio albums, four of which have gone gold, three platinum, and one six-times platinum- selling more than 10 million combined units worldwide. Over an illustrious career, Blues Traveler has played over 2,000 live shows in front of more than 30 million people, and, in “Run-Around,” had the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history, which earned them a GRAMMY® for “Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.” In 2021 Blues Traveler released the GRAMMY®-nominated Traveler’s Blues (Round Hill Records), a collection of reimagined and recharged classics from the American blues songbook, and the group’s first official blues album. The second release in this series, 2023’s Traveler’s Soul, takes a similar approach- consisting of cover songs from a specific genre, this time classic R&B and Soul.
ABOUT GIN BLOSSOMS:
Gin Blossoms is an American alternative rock band formed in 1987 in Tempe, Arizona. The band rose to prominence following the 1992 release of their first major label debut album, New Miserable Experience, and the first single released from that album, “Hey Jealousy” became a Top 25 hit and went gold. New Miserable Experience eventually went quadruple platinum and three other charting singles were released from the album including “Allison Road” and “Until I Fall Away.” The band’s follow-up album, Congratulations I’m Sorry (1996), went platinum including the GRAMMY-nominated “As Long as It Matters” and the Top 10 single “Follow You Down.” Gin Blossoms continue to tour every year and in recent years have shared the stage with Collective Soul, Barenaked Ladies and Hootie & The Blowfish.
ABOUT SPIN DOCTORS:
Best known for their multi-platinum album Pocket Full of Kryptonite, which sold 10 million albums worldwide and featured hits like the GRAMMY®-nominated “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” the Spin Doctors are a defining band of the ‘90s alt-rock scene. With their infectious hooks, bluesy grooves, and high-energy live shows, the band continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Led by original members Chris Barron (vocals), Eric Schenkman (guitar), Jack Daley (bass), and Aaron Comess (drums), Spin Doctors remain a force in rock music, blending funk, blues, and pop into their unmistakable sound. The band will release their first album in 12 years Face Full of Cake on April 11 via Capitol Records.
Dayton Battle of the Bands – Week 4 featuring Hard Rock / Metal / Punk
Dayton Battle of the Bands 2025 continues with our HARD ROCK / METAL / PUNK bands, featuring:
Crossing the Rubicon
Electrified Melons
heavyhead
sheller
Southbound Beretta
Not familiar with any of the bands participating? That’s the fun! This is a fantastic way to discover original, local music! Each ticket buyer gets one vote (in person).
The winner of this round earns a spot at the Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale, among other prizes!
Week 4 is held on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton).
Doors open at 7pm (NOTE: due to equipment load in, we cannot let patrons in earlier than 7pm).
Show runs from 7:30pm – 10pm. Winner announced at 10:30pm
Please be prompt to see all the bands performing!
Tickets are $10 advance / $15 at the door.
Advance tickets are recommended.
Jazz Jam at Wholly Grounds
Join us for a fun night of jazz at Wholly Grounds, Feb 2, 7pm-9pm. We excited to be featuring vibraphonist, Josh Strange in a special set before the jazz jam. The event will be hosted by vocalist, Kelli Campbell and rhythm section, Moses Mabarak on keys, Connor Smith on bass and Noah Ramirez on drums. Tell a friend, bring a friend!
Rich Reuter and Nicholas Johnson at Oregon Express
Dayton musician Rich Reuter will be joined by Cincinnati singer-songwriter Nicholas Johnson for an evening of music at Oregon Express. Rich will be doing a solo set and then backing up Nick on a set of his tunes. Great pizza and a selection of drinks are always available at the OE. No cover so you can spend your money on food, refreshments and merch.
The Fab Four – The Ultimate Beatles Tribute Return to Rose
If you want to experience the best Beatles tribute ever, you won’t want to miss The Fab Four – The Ultimate Beatles Tribute when they return to Rose Music Center at The Heights on Friday, June 27. The 2025 tour brings their all-new show to the stage, celebrating The Beatles’ first visit to the USA, with performances from the Ed Sullivan show and the Meet The Beatles album played in its entirety with a few greatest hits from every era. Hear your favorites including “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, ”I Saw Her Standing There”, ”All My Loving”, and so many more!
The Emmy Award-Winning Fab Four is elevated far above every other Beatles Tribute due to their precise attention to detail. With uncanny, note-for-note live renditions of Beatles’ classics such as “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Yesterday,” “A Day In The Life,” “Twist And Shout,” “Here Comes The Sun,” and “Hey Jude”, the Fab Four will make you think you are watching the real thing.
Their incredible stage performances include three costume changes representing every era of the Beatles ever-changing career, and this loving tribute to the Beatles has amazed audiences in countries around the world, including Japan, Australia, France, Hong Kong, The United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico and Brazil.
Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, January 31 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.
Reserved Seating: $54.50* – $34.50*
The Rose Music Center box office will be open on Friday, January 31 from 10am – 3pm for The Fab Four on sale.
While supplies last. Ticket prices include parking and are subject to price increase based on demand and applicable Ticketmaster fees. All events are rain or shine.
Totally Tubular 80’s New Wave Festival Coming to The Rose
Following last year’s successful run, the 80’s New Wave tour TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL announces its return this summer and features artists that exploded in the pop culture zeitgeist in the 1980’s thanks mainly to the high rotation of their music videos on MTV. These artists have enjoyed a steady rise in popularity in recent years, with their music having a lasting impact. Tour creator and JPA agency founder Jon Pleeter calls the TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL “the best ‘80s party on the planet. The audiences last year fully embraced the spirit of the tour and were wildly enthusiastic. The party continues this summer.”
TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL will expand into new cities, including Huber Heights, OH for a performance at Rose Music Center on July 22, and will keep its popular compact set times highlighting each artist’s major hits. The lineup is RIGHT SAID FRED, MEN WITHOUT HATS, HAIRCUT 100, THE TUBES, THE MOTELS, ANIMOTION, THE ESCAPE CLUB, and MUSICAL YOUTH. Men Without Hats and The Tubes return to the tour this year while some artists, such as show closer Right Said Fred, have not toured the U.S. since the early 90’s. The tour will also offer an expanded merchandise line at shows and online, including limited edition/collector’s items.
Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, January 31 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.
A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will go towards food banks locally in each market.
Dayton Battle of the Bands – HIP-HOP / R&B acts
Timely ‘Avenue Q’ lights up Dayton Playhouse!
The best part of any job is getting to meet new people! I was so excited to get to learn about the director of Avenue Q at DPH, Ray Gambrel.
937: Thank you for taking time to tell us about a musical we all know, love and BOY is it timely! But first….let’s hear about you! I know we would all love to know a little bit about your theater life!
RG: Thank you for this opportunity! Actually, in Jr. High I saw our High School production of, Annie Get Your Gun. I loved it! I rushed to the library and got the original Broadway cast recording on vinyl and listened to it over and over. I was hooked! I went to Sinclair Community College and studied Theater-Performance. I quickly realized that acting may not be the best fit for me, so I took a Directing class taught by Marsha Hanna. She became my idol. I had the wonderful opportunity to help stage manage a production at Sinclair, and I really got to see her work. She really became my inspiration and I think about her every time that I direct. I then got involved with, at the time, Playhouse South (now Springboro Community Theatre), both, as an actor, and as a director.
937: I love Annie get Your Gun…hokey as it is. And actually Marsha inspired MANY of us! How did you make the DPH connection?



Jazz Night with George Balog
Join The Barrel House for an evening of great drinks and even better music, while Dayton’s king of cool, George Balog takes us on an all-vinyl jazz journey. He’s spinning 7-11pm, no cover charge. Just vibes.
The String Cheese Incident Coming to the Rose in May
The String Cheese Incident has announced a new run of tour dates for 2025. Joined by special guest The Wood Brothers, the tour includes a stop in Huber Heights, OH for a performance at Rose Music Center on Sunday, May 18.
The past three decades have written a story packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. The String Cheese Incident has been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.
When The String Cheese Incident’s growth first started gaining momentum in the 1990s, as the Internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms.
Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely unique approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of “making a band.” With the Internet as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information online, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base. Rather than doing business on such terms as “the bottom line,” SCI put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band’s record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI’s “On The Road” series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the Internet. Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development. Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to build their brand.
The String Cheese Incident’s commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage “Green” shows and tours. SCI’s support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance and HeadCount. All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances. The list of SCI’s special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Electric Forest and Hulaween, and holiday shows such as New Year’s Eve, have helped redefine the concert experience and have garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators.
Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, January 24 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.
Dayton Battle of the Bands – Singer-Songwriters
The Mark Lomax Quartet performs A Love Supreme
The Mark Lomax Quartet will perform a set of original compositions inspired by John Coltrane and the John Coltrane composition, A Love Supreme.
Lomax is the rare drummer who leaves you wanting more, leading his bandmates through a strikingly terse, brilliantly counterintuitive and ultimately joyous series of explorations.
Dr. Mark Lomax, II, is a critically acclaimed composer, recording artist, drummer, activist, and educator. In one of the timeliest and unprecedented pieces of work of our history, Lomax released 400: An Afrikan Epic in January 2019. This magnum opus consists of a 12 album cycle, a curriculum, and a documentary that ambitiously tells the story of the Afrikan diaspora. Divided into thirds, the Epic explores thousands of years of the history that is pre-colonial Afrika, the Ma’afa (400 years between 1619 and 2019), and Afro-futurism expressing a vision of what Blacks in America will heal toward in the next 400 years.
A highly sought-after lecturer, Lomax specializes in the socio-political, and spiritual aspects of African-American art music, race, and using the arts to build community.