Meet The Band: Jim Lipnos - Bourbon Legend’s Steady Hand on Guitar

Every band needs that steady anchor—the one who gives the songs their heartbeat and makes sure the music never loses its footing. In Bourbon Legend, that role belongs to guitarist Jim Lipnos. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone more vital to the band’s sound. His rhythm is the canvas the rest of the instruments paint on, and without him, the picture would never be complete.

Growing Up Cleveland

Jim’s love of music didn’t start with the guitar. “I grew up in Cleveland, and when we were kids, I played drums and my sister played guitar,” he says. But it wasn’t until his sister’s boyfriend handed him a stack of records—Led Zeppelin, Cream, Jethro Tull, The Outlaws, Pink Floyd—that something sparked. From there, he began swiping classics from his parents’ vinyl collection, spinning Neil Young, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and other folk-rock staples.

The real turning point came in eighth grade during a simple card game with friends. “One of my buddies grabbed Aerosmith’s Toys in the Attic from the stack of albums I had borrowed from my parents. That was it. I sold my drum set for $95 and picked up my sister’s guitar that had been collecting dust.” That single moment shifted Jim’s entire musical path.

The First Riff

Like many players, Jim remembers the first riff that truly made him feel like a guitarist. “What got me into guitar were the riffs from those early Aerosmith albums,” he recalls. “When I learned how to play Same Old Song and Dance, I felt like a rock star!”

It wasn’t about impressing anyone—it was about discovering the rush of making music that felt larger than life.

A Dream Guitar

Jim’s practical when it comes to gear, but there’s one guitar he’s always had his eye on. “I’m on the verge of buying my dream guitar—a Martin D-35. It’s the same guitar Bob Dylan and Seth Avett primarily play, and it creates such a rich sound from the large body that you can use a lighter gauge string without sacrificing tone.”

For someone whose playing relies on rhythm and resonance, the D-35 is the perfect match.

Playing by Feel

When it comes to learning and creating, Jim admits he’s never been the overly technical type. “I am not a very technical player, so I tend to work out what feels right to me and embellish upon that,” he says. Still, he’s been digging deeper into theory lately—not to change his style, but to understand it better. “I think it has helped me understand how songs, solos, bridges, and all of the different aspects of a composition come together. Even if I can’t play them all yet, I at least understand the how and why.”

It’s the best of both worlds: instinct paired with growing knowledge.

Holding Down the Rhythm

Ask Jim what he loves most about being in Bourbon Legend, and he doesn’t hesitate. “With my drumming background, I enjoy being the rhythm section of the band. I think it’s important to have a solid, consistent base that allows the others to experiment more and take advantage of the space created by a strong rhythm backing.”

That’s why he rarely takes solos when the instruments start trading breaks. “We’ve tried it, and it sounds like the bottom falls out of the song when the rhythm drops out,” he explains. Instead, Jim embraces the role of the steady hand. He's the anchor that holds it all together.

Jim's contribution to Bourbon Legend is undeniable. He’s the heartbeat, the foundation, the glue. And if you’re lucky enough to catch a show, you’ll see the passion in every chord he strums as he bounces around the stage—even when a string or two pays the price.

At the end of the day, Bourbon Legend wouldn’t be the same without Jim’s rhythm, heart, and steady presence. We’re grateful to have him in the mix, and every song we play is stronger because of it.