Band Stories

David Brooks brings the unmistakable banjo spark that helps define Bourbon Legend’s sound. From a soundtrack obsession to a bucket-list birthday show, to woodworking, teaching, and cross-country travels, David’s creativity shines through everything he does — onstage and off.

Meet Bill, the voice of Bourbon Legend. From casual jam sessions with guitarist Jim Lipnos to their first open mic where host Rick Barr encouraged them forward, Bill’s journey has been about courage, connection, and growth. With support from vocal coach Rebekah Newton, he stepped into songwriting and found his voice not just as a singer, but as a storyteller. Today, Bill leads Bourbon Legend with gratitude and heart.

Meet guitarist Jim Lipnos, the steady heartbeat of Bourbon Legend. Growing up in Cleveland, he swapped drums for guitar after discovering Aerosmith and folk-rock classics. Today, his rhythm playing provides the foundation for the band’s sound, driving every song with passion and precision—even if it means breaking a string or two along the way.

Megan Rae brings passion, personality, and purpose to Bourbon Legend as the band’s violinist. A Pittsburgh native with a love for Broadway, classical, and post-hardcore music, she’s been playing since third grade and never looked back. From quirky sock choices to her named instruments, Megan’s style is all her own — and her dedication to music education runs just as deep as her love for the stage.

We’re kicking off our Meet the Band blog series with none other than Bourbon Legend’s riff master himself, Matt Saunders. Matt’s a Dayton native whose journey into music started with classic rock legends, a high school Metallica cover band, and an ever-growing love for guitar. Get to know the man behind the tone.

On Saturday, May 10th, we gathered at Grizzly Bird Brewing Company in Westerville for the 3rd Annual Concert for a Cure, and what unfolded was nothing short of incredible.

Ever wonder which songs we actually love playing the most? We asked every member of Bourbon Legend to share their personal favorites.

What makes a song great? Is it the story, the sound, or just how it makes you feel? We asked each member of Bourbon Legend to weigh in.

On May 10th, 2025, Bourbon Legend will take the stage once again at Grizzlybird Brewing Company in Westerville from 4:00 - 8:00 pm

What's in a band name? For us, Bourbon Legend isn't just a name-it's a reflection of where we started, what we love, and how we came togethe

Two years ago, Bourbon Legend was just an idea—born from casual jam sessions, a shared love of music, and a little bit of luck. Today,...