Meet the Band: Bill Reinking - The Voice of Bourbon Legend

Every band needs a voice to carry its stories. For Bourbon Legend, that voice belongs to Bill Reinking.

Finding Your Voice

Bill has been singing for as long as he can remember, but for years he never considered himself “the frontman” type. “I always wanted to be in a band and had never made that leap because it just feels very vulnerable to be up there singing,” he says. Way back in high school, he had the chance to sing at the White House, but even then, music felt like something he loved privately, not something he would ever lead publicly.

That changed when he began playing music casually with guitarist Jim Lipnos. “He would play, and I would sing,” Bill recalls. After about a year, they decided to try an open mic, and that night became a turning point. The encouragement they received from host and local musician Rick Barr gave them a boost of confidence they didn’t know they needed. “Rick’s support that night gave us some of the confidence we needed to continue moving forward,” Bill says. From that moment on, what started as two friends sharing music grew into the Bourbon Legend fans know today.

“I’m happy that I can contribute to the band with my voice,” he adds. “It’s been fun to pick up some other instruments along the way, just as a support piece, but I love to sing, and I love to sing with this band.”

From Covers to Originals

Like many bands, Bourbon Legend started out playing covers. But for Bill, the real surprise came when he began writing songs of his own. “Even though I’ve enjoyed writing over the years in various capacities, I could never really find it in me to write songs,” he admits. That perspective began to change thanks to two key influences: his bandmates and his vocal coach, Rebekah Newton.

“Playing together with people I trust allowed me the space to develop in writing as well, in a judgment-free space,” Bill says. “And I was also encouraged by my then vocal coach, Rebekah Newton, to write my own songs, which gave me that extra push to take the leap.”

His process doesn’t follow a strict formula. “Some songs can be very literal or autobiographical, they may start with an emotion of which to build a story around, or sometimes they start as a phrase that gets stuck in my head that becomes a chorus. Either way, writing has been an incredibly gratifying part of being in this band.”

The Power of Connection

Over time, Bourbon Legend has become more than just a group of musicians. It’s grown into a community of friends and fans who show up again and again. “We are really lucky,” Bill says. “The community that has rallied around us has been amazing. Over the last nearly three years, we’ve met lots of incredible people, and some of those faces show up time and time again.”

For Bill, the most rewarding moments come when listeners connect to the original songs. “Particularly when I’ve had people come up and talk to me about our original songs and what they’ve meant to them, that’s not something I counted on when I was writing. But when someone connects with it, there’s really no other feeling like it.”

Lessons Learned

Being the frontman of Bourbon Legend has taught Bill more than how to stand behind a microphone. It’s taught him about collaboration, resilience, and courage. “It certainly taught me a lot about working closely with a group of people, and that’s been amazing,” he says. “But what it continues to teach me is that if you have something that you want to do, if you have this burning desire inside of you that just leaves you unsettled , it just takes a moment of bravery to step out and try it. You may be pleasantly surprised by the outcome. It is never too late to pursue something that you’re interested in.”

Looking Ahead

Today, Bill feels grateful for what Bourbon Legend has already accomplished, and excited about what comes next. “I’m of the thought that what we’ve created has far exceeded any expectation I ever had. We have the privilege of entertaining people on a regular basis. We’ve created connections that are really meaningful, and we have venues that ask us back time and time again, that’s the highest compliment.”

The next step is clear: recording their original music and continuing to see how far they can take it. “We try hard to remain open to opportunity and continue to be grateful for what comes across our path,” Bill says. “It all seems to work itself out when we do that.”

Bill’s voice is more than sound, it’s the thread that ties Bourbon Legend’s stories together. From the vulnerability of those early days at an open mic to the growing confidence he now brings to the stage, his journey reflects the spirit of the band itself: brave, connected, and grateful for every opportunity to share their music.