Sober Living Cleveland raises funds by 'Raising the Roof' on May 21

Singer/songwriter Rachel Brown will perform at Raising the Roof for Recovery.

Sober Living Cleveland presents Raising the Roof for Recovery on Saturday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. The event at the Dunham Tavern Barn will raise funds to provide a house in Cleveland Heights for women in recovery from substance abuse. Presented by the Heights Music Shop, proceeds will support the nonprofit's mission to empower people in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs by providing safe, affordable sober housing, support for healthy habits, and a foundation for a better life. 

Cleveland Heights resident Rick Szekelyi, co-owner of the Heights Music Shop on Lee Road, selected some of his favorite local singer/songwriters to perform:

Opening the concert is Rachel Brown. Plain Dealer pop music writer Chuck Yarborough wrote this about her in a 2013 article: “The fiery redhead with the sometimes sultry, sometimes country, sometimes bluesy, sometimes rocking and always engaging voice, had a plan. ‘I graduated from high school a year early to be a professional musician and songwriter’.” Today the singer-songwriter is back in middle school as Miss Brown, the music teacher, but performs regularly in intimate regional venues, such as Music Box Supper Club and Barking Spider, either solo or with the Beatnik Playboys. Brown has opened for many nationally known musicians and issued several original CDs.

Brent Kirby is next, at 8:30 p.m. Kirby’s peers call him one of Cleveland’s hardest-working musicians. He’ll arrive right after performing at the Hessler Street Fair. Kirby was voted Best Musician by Cleveland's Scene magazine in 2012, followed by Best Singer and Best Male Vocal in 2013. When not playing solo or with his band His Luck, he writes the tunes and fronts the Jack Fords (Scene’s Best Rock Band in 2007 and 2009), leads a monthly revival of Gram Parsons music with his band The New Soft Shoe, and plays drums for the talented Cleveland holiday band Ohio City Singers. His weekly 10 x 3 Songwriter Showcase at Brothers Lounge encourages a vibrant local music scene of original music.

Vernon Trumbull and his Kinsmen will wrap up the evening at 9:45 p.m. The band, from Houston, with some Ohio roots, plays American music ranging from blues to country to rock and roll. Comprised of lifelong musicians who have played in a dizzying array of bands, the group plays in Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Nashville, Belize, and now Cleveland. Former punk rock vocalist Trumbull is joined by drummer Steve Bundrick, guitarist Scott Ayers of the highly influential Pain Teens band, and bassist Michael Milsap, descended from country royalty in the Texas Permian Basin.

Throughout the night there will be food and an inspiring silent auction and raffle of experiences and goods donated by generous local businesses.

Reservations are $25 online or $30 at the door. More information can be found at www.soberlivingcle.org, by e-mailing info@soberlivingcle.org, or calling 216-406-9135.