The Story Behind the Name: How Bourbon Legend Was Born.

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 together as a band.

The story begins in Jim's bourbon room, where we first gathered to play music together. Naturally, a bourbon-themed name made sense, not only because of our surroundings but because if fit the rootsy, Americana-infused sound we were developing. We knew we wanted something bourbon-related, so we turned to Jenny (David's wife), who has a knack for creative and clever names. She threw out a few ideas, and along with our own, we started tossing names back and forth.

There were plenty of contenders- Bourbon Skyline, Bourbon Room Pickers, Southbound Sober, Burn After Bourbon, Wildfire Mountain- but nothing quite felt like "the one." For a moment, we even entertained Johnny Mac and the Delivery, (an inside joke regarding a pizza delivery guy who arrived during one of our first jam sessions) but that one didn't stick either.

Then came Bourbon Legend-and something about it clicked.

But the real urgency for choosing a name came when we decided to perform at a local open mic-sort of by accident.

One night, we were at Stadz Pizzeria, checking out the scene a week before we planned to play their open mic. We wanted to see that the setup was like and what we'd need to prepare for. While we were eating, Alex Stadler (Stadz HIMSELF!) came by to ask how we liked our meal, and that casual conversation turned into something bigger.

We mentioned that we'd be back the next week to perform at open mic, and Alex, naturally, asked, "What's your band's name?"

We all just kind of looked at each other. We didn't have one.

His reaction-somewhat skeptical, like "Okay, sure, guys..."-made us realize: you can't be a band without a name.

That week, we made it our mission to finalize one. We hashed it out over drinks at BrewDog after a practice session, going back over the list of names we had considered. Bourbon Legend stood out. It had a ring to it, a bit of mystery, and most importantly-it stuck.

Later, to commemorate the moment, we did a shot of Elijah Craig bourbon, a fitting toast to the beginning of something special. That tradition continued-early on, a little bourbon helped us shake off the nerves before gigs. And when Matt later gifted the band a set of Bourbon Legend-branded glasses, it sealed the name's legacy even further.

Since then, we've played stages big and small, been mistakenly called "Bourbon Stew," and even had venues add an "S" to our name-but there is only one Bourbon Legend.

And as long as we're making music, sharing drinks, and telling stories, that legend will keep growing.