For 19 consecutive years, the Cincy Blues Society organized the Cincinnati Winter Blues Festival. However, in 2018, the society made the decision to discontinue the event to concentrate on the Cincy Summer Blues Festival. To preserve this beloved tradition, I established my own company, Post Meridian Production, in 2019. This new initiative led to the creation of the Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience. The objective was to ensure that the essence of blues music persisted throughout the winter, enabling fans to gather, enjoy outstanding performances, and honor the rich heritage of the blues. Below are some brief reviews of the previous 6 Winter Blues Experiences.
Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience I -
Late 2018 I had a contract in hand for Danielle Nicole and a date set, February 16th 2019, but no venue for the show. Thankfully Jim Klosterman at Fretboard Brewing in Blue Ash was willing to take a chance on this event. It featured Danielle Nicole, Johnny Fink, Doug Hart, Willie Phoenix & the Soul Underground and the Tempted Souls Band. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better Danielle messaged me a few days before the show saying Monster Mike Welch had met up with her on the road and that he would be joining them for the show. It was an incredible success and I believe to this day the largest indoor crowd Fretboard has had upwards of 475 patrons.
Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience II -
Timing is everything they say. The Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience II was held on Saturday February 15th 2020. This was the first year holding it at Manor House in Mason Ohio. Co-headliners were Danielle Nicole and Stacy Mitchhart and it featured 12 acts, the most of any WBE to date. The rest of the lineup consisted of Laurie Jane & the 45’s, Lil’ Red & the Rooster, an Eric Clapton tribute done by Johnny Fink, Doug Hart and Jimmy D. Rogers, Misterman & the Mojo Band, Roadhouse Redeemed, Jay Jesse Johnson, Ben Levin & the Heaters, the Tempted Souls Band, Chuck Brisbin & the Tuna Project and the Blues in the Schools Band. Less than a month after the show COVID-19 hit.
Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience III -
After skipping a year WBE III took place on February 12th, 2022, just under two years after COVID-19. Many people were still hesitant about going out, and you could see that in the attendance. Still, it turned out to be an awesome show featuring Ally Venable, Sister Lucille, Eliza Neals, Noah Wotherspoon, Meg Williams, Johnny Fink and the Intrusion, the Tempted Souls Band, Skyla Burrell, Ben Levin, and King Bee & the Stingers.
Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience IV -
WBE IV took place on February 11th 2023. 11 acts played fronted by GA-20 and King Solomon Hicks followed by Ivy Ford, Tullie Brae, Gabe Stillman, Johnny Fink & the Intrusion, The Mojo Blues Cats, Misterman and the Mojo Band, the Lady Joya Band, the Doug Hart Band and the Tempted Souls.
Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience V -
February 10th 2024 marked the fifth anniversary of the Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience. I wanted it to be a “special” WBE and it was. Danielle Nicole headlined one ballroom and her brother Nick Schnebelen headlined in the other. Mixed in where the Kelli Baker Band, Noah Wotherspoon & Scotty Bratcher with the Just Strange Brothers Horns, Gina & Johnny, CFG & the Family, the Inturns playing a Jimi Hendrix tribute, Leroy Ellington & the Sacred Hearts, Danny Garwood & Co, the Jamie Carr Band and Tempted Souls. To date this is the highest attended Winter Blues Experience yet.
Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience VI -
February 8th 2025 is a memorable date for two reasons. Firstly, because WBE VI had an incredible lineup headlined by Vanessa Collier and Mathias Lattin. Eight other acts played as well, Gina & Johnny, CFG & the Family, Melissa McKinney, Noe Socha, the Tempted Souls, Meg Williams & Travis Bowlin Band, the Angela Combs Band and Tony Holiday. Secondly because shortly after the show ended I found myself Ubering to the nearest emergency room. Two surgeries and two weeks later I was released from the hospital to begin recuperating.
Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience VII -