Ralphie Releases Record

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Berea native Toby Fallsgraff graduated from Ohio University in Athens in 2004 with a journalism major and headed off to grad school in political management at George Washington University in D.C.

He left behind a musical legacy: While in Athens, he played as a solo performer and part of a duo, and released two albums as Daddy’s Gonna Kill Ralphie. (A tribute to his hometown, the name is a quote from the shot-in-Cleveland 1983 film A Christmas Story).

He’s now regrouped the band and is set to release a third CD, Panic.

And with his background as a solo acoustic performer and professed influences like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Elliott Smith and Nick Drake, it’s no surprise that DGKR’s music is earnest indie-folk with serious pop-rock aspirations.

The band — which also includes Corey Salts, Rob Zajac, Kyle Kilmer and Joe Hennes — will officially present Panic to their hometown friends and family with a release party at Wilbert’s tonight.

Julie Neumark and Dave Carducci open at 8 p.m.

It’s free, with donations accepted for the band. —Anastasia Pantsios