2016 was quite the year for me. It was the first full year that I was able to pursue CincyMusic.com on a full-time basis without the hindrance of a day job. It was also the year that I became a mother. Music makes up most of who I am and now I have a tiny human to share it with.
January started with the legendary Cincinnati Entertainment Awards. It’s everyone in the local music scene’s favorite night of the year. It was my second time presenting an award at the event and I was nervous as hell. I am NOT good at public speaking. My face turns red, my hands shake, but I really do love the rush, and am honored to be asked to do so. Wonky Tonk blew my mind with her Bowie tribute with the amazing Jess Lamb. Abiyah made me proud to be a woman, and Buffalo Wabs and The Price Hill Hustle brought me to tears (good ones).
Check out our photo album HERE.
In April, I got to interview Ani DiFranco for her “Vote Dammit” tour. We joked about Trump running for President. Joke was on us I suppose. Funny story, I found out that I was pregnant the day after the Ani show. Of course, I did not reveal that until way after, but this was very significant (to me) given that Ani is one of my feminist idols.
Check out our photos HERE and the interview HERE.
June brought about Bunbury Music Festival. I adore Bunbury. It is one of my favorite times of the year. For me, it’s not about the headliners though. Any way we can showcase the local bands playing is what I want to do. This year we set up sessions with locals at our booth and broadcasted it via Facebook Live. We showcased live sessions with Jeremy Pinnell, Mad Anthony, Dawg Yawp, Dead Man String Band, and Arlo Mckinley and The Lonesome Sound!
Check out photos from the weekend HERE, HERE, and HERE!
Later in June, the flawless Dolly Parton came to Jack Cincinnati Casino. Dolly is an inspiration to us all. The night was nothing short of a dream. She told stories of her past, and showed each of us what it is to be a truly good person.
Check out the review HERE and photos HERE.
In July, I was one of the few that got to review the one and only Paul McCartney at U.S. Bank Arena. It’s safe to say that since the day I was born, I have been a Beatles fan. In the womb my parents played, “Here Comes The Sun” to me. Heck, I made my brother Ian play it on guitar as I walked down the isle for my wedding. The Beatles make up the soundtrack of most of my life. I had seen Sir Paul before twice in my life in the nosebleed seats, but to witness his greatness up close was one of those times you talk about for the rest of your life.
Check out my review HERE and photos from the show HERE.
In November, The National came to play an intimate show in Washington Park for Hillary Clinton’s “Get Out The Vote” campaign. It was an early show and they only played eleven songs. Those eleven songs were the most pertinent songs I had ever seen them perform (given the event). I respect when a band wears their politics on their sleeve. It was a warmer than usual evening in Cincinnati for November and hope was high for the first female President of the United States. The energy at Washington Park was electric that night.
Check out photos from the night HERE.
Every year in Cincinnati makes me hopeful for the next. The music scene we have is like no other in the country. The way that everyone supports each other, looks out for each other, and backs each other up is beyond words. Cheers to 2017!
