Support Steve Brown - Cincinnati's Lighting Legend

Save Steve Brown: Help Cincinnati’s Lighting Legend Have a Brighter Future

Alright kids, it’s time to rally for a guy who’s spent 30 years making your favorite bands look good while he, frankly, looked like he rolled out of a dive bar dumpster. Meet Steve Brown—local music scene icon, master of the lighting rig, and a man who’s somehow pissed off half the city while still being the lovable trainwreck we can’t quit. After three decades of dazzling us with his light shows (and occasionally dazzling us with his ability to chug a Budweiser), Steve’s hit a rough patch. He’s been crashing at a shelter, which is honestly the least rock ‘n’ roll thing he’s done since that time he got his ass kicked at the Blue Note.

Steve’s no rocket scientist—let’s just say his brightest ideas are the ones he plugs into the wall—but he’s finally landed a job after ten months of searching. He’s got a paycheck now, but he’s one rent slip from running lights for the homeless under a bridge with an LED flashlight. That’s where you come in. Every dollar we raise goes straight to keeping a roof over his head, so he can focus on dazzling dive bar crowds instead of dodging shelter curfews.

Look, Steve’s had his demons—let’s call them “liquid courage” and “party favors”—but we’re not here to rehash those memories, no matter how hilarious they are. We’re here to laugh at the guy and help him out, because he’s our guy. He’s never been perfect—his haircut alone looks like he lost a bet with a lawnmower in 1990 and just rolled with it—but he’s the hardest worker Cincinnati’s music scene has ever seen, lighting up gigs with his unique brand of passion. We love him for his dedication, his Spit Shine 9 stories, and the way he keeps going no matter what. After all the magic he’s brought to our stages, he doesn’t deserve to be stuck in a shelter—let’s help him get back to shining, and if there’s a few bucks left over, we’ll take him to Great Clips.

So, dig into your gig money, your tip jar, your couch cushions, and let’s get Steve off the streets. Help the Light Lord get a landlord. He’s got the wattage but he needs a cottage. Donate now, because Cincinnati’s music scene isn’t the same without its dimmest bulb shining from behind the board. Let’s keep him housed, employed, and—with any luck—lighting up stages for another 30 years.

Co-hosted by:

Tim Butterfield

Mike Seta

Jason Sax (aka Jax Alan)

Chris Harris

All funds raised will be managed by Glenn Kukla on behalf of Steve Brown and will be paid directly to Steve Brown‘s landlord. All financial information concerning the distribution of these phones will be shared with the cohosts to ensure transparency.