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Frampton to lead relief concert
By Rick Bird
Post staff reporter

Cincinnati will get its own musical benefit to help out Sept. 11 relief funds thanks to Peter Frampton.

The rock guitar icon has organized what's billed as ''Peter Frampton Presents: Cincinnati USA'' to be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Taft Theatre, downtown. ''It was Peter's idea. He's fallen in love with Cincinnati since moving there,'' said Frampton's Nashville-based spokesman, Scott Stem. ''After playing a re lief concert in Dallas last month he thought, 'Why can't we do this in Cincinnati'? ''

Among the acts performing will be Blessid Union of Souls, several favorite local blues legends and at least one member from 98 Degrees.

Frampton moved to the area a little more than a year ago, settling into Indian Hill so he could be closer to his wife's family. Frampton married Tina Elfers, of Reading, in 1996.

The interesting thing about the lineup for the Frampton-organized benefit is that he is showing he has quickly become sensitive to the local music scene, managing to enlist a little slice of most every musical genre on the local front.

Here's a look at the all-star local bill that will be headlined by Frampton:

Popsters Blessid Union of Souls will perform, strutting their string of national hits since they formed here in 1995.

The teen pop crowd will be represented by 98 Degrees' Justin Jeffre, who has formed a band for the occasion billed as ''One.'' The boy band, which features three grads from the School for Creative and Performing Arts, is on a bit of a layoff, and other members are scattered and not available for the night.

Jeffre steped up with this band he's put together for the occasion.

Cincinnati's R&B tradition will be represented by The Reggie Calloway Band. Calloway was a key member in Midnight Star, a group that had some serious R&B hits in the early '80s.

Pay the Girl, one of the area's up-and-coming modern rock bands, is also performing, fronted by singer-songwriter Jason Allan Phelps.

There's also a great local all-star blues jam that will feature Greg Schaber & High Street as the back-up band for local blues heroes ''Big'' Joe Duskin, ''Sweet'' Alice Hoskins, and blues/R&B guitarist ''Little'' Al Stewart.

''Peter's concept was to invite artists from all over Cincinnati. He wanted to make sure it was a diverse scene rep resenting all of the city,'' said Stem.

''He also loves the blues, and wanted to make sure that was included in the show.''

Tickets for the show are $60, $42.50 and $28.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. Call Ticketmaster at (513) 562-4949.