brendan halpin

On Sunday, 11/10, I relived part of my youth by traveling from Cincinnati (where I was visiting) across the river to Newport, KY to hear live music.

It was not like going to a punk show at the Jockey Club in the 80’s. The Jockey Club was torn down years ago, and a microbrewery stands in its place. And, for better and worse, you can now go to Newport at night without fearing for your personal safety.

My friends and I went to Mansion Hill Tavern to see blues guitarists Johnny Burgin and Noah Wotherspoon (accompanied by a conga player named, I believe, Eric Wright, not to be confused with the Eric Wright who was known as Eazy-E.).

(Full disclosure—though I had never met Johnny before this night, he recorded a song my friend Karl and I wrote during the pandemic. It’s called Furlough, and I have a cameo in the video as the cuckolded husband!)

It was a perfect night. Johnny and Noah traded songs and solos, and the atmosphere was perfect as an older, multiracial crowd in a cool little bar enjoyed a great night of blues guitar. The lack of bass and a drumset gave the whole show a very initmate, chill vibe. Here’s a picture I took.

Both these guys are talented, hardworking musicians, and Johnny does upwards of 200 shows a year. His new album is on Bandcamp. Incredibly, he did not play “Cincinnati Boogie” right across the river from the Queen City, but it was a great night anyway.

If you get a chance to see either one of these guys live, seize it. A good time is guaranteed!