Rock for charity

Musicians, particularly the kind who play rock 'n' roll, are often considered a testy bunch -- rude, self-absorbed, only concerned with sex and the next party.

Not that there's no merit in that stereotype, when you think about guys like Axl Rose and, at one time, three-fourths of the greatest rock band ever, Led Zeppelin.

But many times, that's not the case, especially when we're talking about rock musicians who don't have multiplatinum records and don't travel on private jets.

With Christmas approaching, Cape Girardeau's musical community is gearing up to show just how selfless it can be. The giving starts tonight.

Every year, the Rude Dog Pub family gets together to help area children have a happy Christmas by scheduling a show to benefit Toys for Tots. Just bring in an unwrapped toy, and that's your cover.

This year that show happens tonight with music by The Intention, which kicks off a three-night stint in the cozy confines of the Rude Dog.

This benefit has been going for a few years now, and, to my knowledge, has been a big success.

As Christmas approaches, more musicians are getting into the Christmas spirit.

On Dec. 22, the Arena Building will host a country and rock show to get food for local food banks. Our details about the show are still a little sketchy, but we know that a band called Jackpot Country, along with members of the old Scott City band Chimes of Freedom, are on the bill.

The next day, Dec. 23, is another local rock-musicians-make-good-at-Christmas charity show. Every year, Bob Camp gets together all the bands he can to sign up for the annual Christmas Hoot, a series of shows in downtown bars that raise money for the Cottonwood Treatment Center here in Cape Girardeau.

Cottonwood helps treat children between ages 6 and 17 with severe emotional disturbances.

Camp tells me that many of these children, if they have families, have been forgotten. For them, Christmas isn't like it is for "normal" children. But getting the few gifts the Hoot collects brightens their day.

Rock musicians aren't all bad. Even they can get in the Christmas spirit, and they want to help the best way they can, by entertaining you.