Bourbon Legend: Two Years of Music and Growth.

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, we’re a band that’s played festivals, packed bars, written original music, and built something truly special together. As we celebrate our second anniversary, we wanted to take a look back at how it all began, the moments that shaped us, and where we hope to go next.

The Beginning: A Little Luck and a Shared Passion

Like any good legend, our story starts with a bit of serendipity. Jim (guitar) and Bill (vocals) had been playing together for almost a year, jamming after voice lessons and slowly building confidence. “We had three songs down,” Jim recalls. But they wanted more. Jim, who also played banjo, sought out another banjo player to jam with.  This led to inviting David (banjo), who Jim had met in a Facebook group that shared appreciation for the band Caamp, to a jam session.  David entered the fold, taking a leap of faith, walking into a stranger’s house with some random musicians he met online. “I made sure my wife knew exactly where I was,” he laughs. But any nerves faded fast once the music started.  Matt (guitar) was added through a shared CrossFit connection with the hope of playing more after taking a break for a few years.

That first session took place in Jim’s den —now known as the Bourbon Room. The song? Where Rainbows Never Die, by The Steeldrivers.

And as soon as the banjo kicked in, something clicked. “Everybody looked around the room at the same time and was like, now that’s complete,” Jim remembers.

It was a defining moment. “That first run-through was totally solid,” David says. Bill agrees, “I think we all had this shared ‘aha’ moment.”

From Open Mics to Full Sets

At first, the idea of playing a show wasn’t even in the picture. “We talked about doing an open mic,” David says. But soon, that thought became reality. The band played an open mic, then got booked for a three-hour gig—despite only knowing seven songs together. They had two months to figure it out, and somehow, they pulled it off.

Those early performances were nerve-wracking. “I remember David sharing a comment from one of his friends saying, ‘Maybe you guys could act like you’re enjoying it,’” Bill laughs. “We were so tense because we just wanted it to go right.” But the more they played, the more they relaxed, and the more fun they had.

And then came the shows that made it all feel real.

Jim recalls playing Flanagan’s as a standout moment, while David points to the Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival. “I’ve got so many festival T-shirts,” he says. “It was cool to finally have one with our band name on it.”

For Bill, the band’s evolution is best summed up by their experience busking in Gahanna. “We played on the back side of Creekside, and nobody came to listen,” he says. “A year later, we were on that same stage for the Jazz and Blues Festival, and people paid to see us, it was surreal.”

The Chemistry That Made It Work

From the very beginning, there was something special about this band. Sydney (fiddle 2023-2024), remembers that first jam session as a turning point:

“I knew there was something special when I realized that creating a unique and beautiful sound didn’t require refined technical skills. It was more about intuition and natural intonation. And that was such a relief! We were creating music right out of the gate!”

That freedom to create without fear was part of what made our chemistry click right from the start. As Sydney puts it:

“Our chemistry stemmed from having a judgment-free zone. If someone wanted to try something funky or new, have at it! There was no feeling of embarrassment at trying a new technique or riff.”

Over the years, we’ve played everywhere from breweries to farmers markets, but some of the most special moments happened in unexpected places. Sydney’s favorite memory is a perfect example:

“Playing at the campground in Hocking Hills. To me, there is nothing better than an outdoor venue set in the woods. That, combined with folk tunes, good friends, and a great audience, made for a lasting memory.”

When Sydney moved out west in May 2024, Megan stepped in as our new fiddle player, bringing her own energy and style to the band. She quickly realized that Bourbon Legend wasn’t just about playing music—it was about having fun together. Looking back at her first gig with us, Megan recalls:

“Jim turned around to play with me during ‘Cleopatra’ and started jumping up and down, and he just looked so happy. I knew this band was going to be a lot of fun.”

Looking ahead to 2025, Megan sums up what we’re all hoping for:

“More gigs! More smiles! More dancing!”

Growth and Looking Ahead

Two years in, Bourbon Legend isn’t just a group of musicians playing songs—it’s more like a family. “We all bring something different to the group, and there’s very little ego,” Bill says. “It’s something special and we protect the space.”

The band has grown musically, too. “In the beginning, it was just raw,” Jim says. “Now, we pick up songs in one or two runs.” And original music is becoming a bigger focus. “Our goal is to write more and get it recorded,” he adds.

Looking ahead, 2025 is all about pushing to the next level. “I think we’re at the cusp of opening for bigger bands,” Matt says. “We’re holding out for that.”

For Bourbon Legend, what started as a jam session has turned into something real—something lasting. And as we celebrate two years, one thing is clear: this is only the beginning.