Just Joshin'

During Josh Zuckerman's Cleveland debut tonight, ask the homo hottie to lift up his shirt. On his lower back, you'll spot the tattoo he got to reflect his latest single, "Be Real," off his sophomore CD, Out From Under. The bluesy tune is his universal battle cry to the gay community. "It's tough to find someone who's real, especially in the gay world," says Zuckerman. "At the same time, you have to keep reminding yourself that you have to stay real as well." A Missouri native, Zuckerman moved to New York 15 years ago to cut his musical chops. This year, his album has scored heavy airplay on Sirius radio's gay channel, Sirius OutQ, and his "Be Real" video has aired on Logo TV's Click List and New Now Next. Not bad for a dude who happens to teach kindergarten classes during the week. He also reaches out to gay teens with his lifelong motto (which is?). "Being a role model, I'm teaching kids that are just coming out that they don't have to fit into the mold of a stereotyped gay community. I tell them to just be who you are," says Zuckerman. "I don't label myself as a gay artist. I'm just Josh who writes music." Zuckerman goes on stage at 9:30 tonight at Bounce, 2814 Detroit Avenue. Admission is $8. Call 216-357-2997 or visit www.clevelandcocktails.com.
Sat., Dec. 29, 9:30 p.m., 2007