A Summer on Stage: What We've Learned Playing Columbus

Some summers blur together. This one hasn't. Between Porchfest, ComFest, and a string of packed rooms across the city, Bourbon Legend has spent the past few months reminded of exactly why they do this. So we asked each member two questions: what moment from this summer stuck with them, and what makes playing in Columbus different. The answers said a lot about a band that's equal parts road-tested and hometown proud.

A Porch, a Crowd, and a Cause

For lead vocalist Bill Reinking, the standout moment came on a front porch. "I love playing festivals," he says. "Being outside, sharing the stage with other artists, playing short powerful sets." Headlining Bexley Porchfest topped his list. "It's unique, a relaxed community feel, and it raises money for a great cause. There's nothing like it."

Banjo player David Brooks felt it too, but what really got him was looking out at the crowd. "It was our first time headlining an event, it raised money for a great cause, but one thing that stands out is the number of Bourbon Legend shirts I saw in the crowd. It's always fun seeing your band's shirt, but having a bunch of them in a big crowd is a lot of fun."

Guitarist and mandolin player Matt Saunders agreed the day had everything going for it. "The hospitality, weather, view, and seeing friends and family watch us at Porchfest," he says. It wasn't the only moment that stuck with him this summer, either. "Watching David's student run up at ComFest to say hello" made the list too, a small moment that says a lot about how far this band's roots run in Columbus.

Familiar Faces in Unexpected Places

Not every memorable moment happened on a festival stage. Fiddle player Megan Rae found hers at Park Street Tavern. "I saw a student who had graduated walk by, and I did a double take because I'm not old enough to see students in a bar. But that's not the case anymore. He graduated four years ago, so he was totally allowed to be there."

Guitarist Jim Lipnos pointed to an earlier show, learning new material for St. Patrick's Day at Flanagan's. "Watching people dance along" is what stayed with him, a reminder that the connection between a band and a crowd doesn't need a festival backdrop to happen.

Why Columbus Feels Different

Ask any member of Bourbon Legend what sets Columbus apart, and the answer keeps circling back to the same thing: the people.

"Playing in Columbus is really something special," Bill says. "I can't say enough about the music community and how supportive everyone is. I'm not sure why I found that so surprising, but it's been a pleasant one. We're always grateful for the familiar faces we see at our shows, because that means our music resonates with them. For someone to take time out of their schedule to come see you play, well, that's really something special."

David sees it as simple as home. "Columbus is where our family and friends live. When you play in front of your loved ones, you play a little harder, and the crowd is a little more into it."

Megan put it in terms only a musician would. "Cbus is special because the people who come to listen to live music love to hang out and interact. When someone in the audience loves what they hear, they tell you. It makes the song better than it would ever sound in rehearsal."

And Matt summed up what it feels like from the stage. "The friendly community and response we get after our shows. People respond well and are excited to be out listening to music."

Jim echoes that spirit of community from a different angle. "We have met and know a lot of other local musicians, and it is great to see everyone supporting each other."

It's the kind of feedback loop that keeps a band coming back, summer after summer. Festival stages, brewery patios, and bar gigs all look different from where the band stands, but the thread running through every one of these answers is the same: Columbus shows up, and Bourbon Legend feels it every time.

In the end, it's not really about the festivals or the venues. It's about showing up, one Columbus crowd at a time, and being reminded why this band exists in the first place.