Bootsy Collins Stood Behind Me Once

I love to walk. If I have to get in a car and drive more than 15 minutes, I hate it. It’s one of the perks of living by the river across from a metropolitan city. You can walk everywhere! I take full advantage, and I have uncovered a bunch of cool hidden paths and areas that I would have never noticed driving in a car.

And that brings me to today’s topic — the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. Behind the Andrew J Brady Music Center, right next to Paycor Stadium, lies this hidden gem. I’ve walked by it so many times, meaning to check it out, and I finally did, so I thought I’d write about it. And before you ask what this has to do with the Ohio River, it overlooks it, so it’s topical. Get off my lawn.

The attraction came to be thanks to Hamilton County Commissioner, Alicia Reese, in 2021. Her idea was to turn a gravel pit into something to “celebrate the legacy and untold stories of music artists, songwriters, producers, and musicians from Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and Southwest Ohio.” Here’s the timeline:

• 2021: The first induction ceremony was held, honoring William “Bootsy” Collins, the Isley Brothers, Dr. Charles Ford and Otis Williams.

• 2022: Midnight Star, Penny Ford, Wilbert Longmire and Hi-Tek were inducted.

• 2023: The grand opening took place July 22, 2023, and the inductees were The Deele, James Brown, Phillippé Wynne and Louise Shropshire.

Since then, eight more inductees have been added, with more coming! The 2026 induction ceremony is coming up soon, so that makes this post extra relevant. More details will be released soon, but it’s scheduled to take place Saturday, July 25.

Here is what I loved and learned:

• Each station has buttons so you can listen to the music of the inductees and other influential local musicians. In the middle of each, there’s a place to put your hand to feel the beat. Close your eyes when you do it! Oooohweee. Glorious.

  

  

• I thought I didn’t know who some of the inductees were, eager to hear some new (to me) music, but when I pressed the buttons to listen, I was amazed that I already knew so many. For example, I had no idea Penny Ford (2022 inductee) was the woman singing in Snap!’s “The Power.” You will instantly know this iconic song when you hear it: “It’s gettin’, it’s gettin’, it’s gettin’ kinda hectic. I’ve got the power!” Now it’s stuck in my head again. That’s Penny singing! She’s from Cincinnati! You can record yourself dancing with her at the end of the exhibit. (I’ll dance next time, now that I know what was happening.)

• Good segue into the interactivity of the whole thing: SO FUN. You can play drums, push buttons, feel beats, dance on screen then download the videos to share, scan QR codes, sit and watch mini documentaries about the inductees. I’ll definitely visit again with my daughter.

• I felt like Will Ferrell in “Elf” when he yells, “Santa? Here? I know him!” Except I was yelling it in my head about multiple artists whose music I grew up listening to, having no idea some of them were from the Cincinnati area! James Brown! Bootsy Collins! The Ohio Players! John Legend! Okay, I knew they were all from the Cincinnati area, but did you know about Mamie Smith? She was the first female singer to record a blues song!

• Lyrics from the gospel hymn “If My Jesus Wills,” the origin of “We Shall Overcome,” were written by Mother Reverend Louise Shropshire (2023 inductee)! She was a, you guessed it, Cincinnatian! (Sorry, but am I just too easy to please? Or is this history not the coolest thing ever?)

• The beauty and scenery throughout the exhibit are so gorgeous, especially during this time of year with all the flowers, greenery and river views.

If you want to check out this Cincinnati sweet spot, here are the details, as well as a Spotify playlist I put together so you can be wowed at the amazing Black history and talent we have in the area.

Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame
190 Mehring Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Open 6 a.m.–11 p.m
FREE ADMISSION

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