CINCINNATI — Music fans in Ohio had a lot to celebrate in Cincinnati this weekend.
The annual Cincinnati Music Festival featured big names like Snoop Dog and Al Green. Along with the music from the festival, there were several free concerts Saturday, featuring the All Start Band and the Ohio Players. They were part of the celebration honoring the new Black Music Walk of Fame outside the Andrew J. Brady Music Center.
What You Need To Know
- The Black Music Hall of Fame is located by the Andrew J. Brady Music Center next to Paycor stadium
- The area features interactive exhibits and tributes to Black musicians
- The walk of fame was also free
“We have a rich heritage in the music industry not only in Cincinnati but the whole state of Ohio,” said Larry Clark, a fan of the walk of fame whose family members have played in several popular bands in the Queen City. “A lot of artists that came out of this state and have been a real influence on the music industry as a whole,” he said.
The Walk of Fame took two years to build and offers more than the traditional stars with names of musicians. It also features an interactive exhibit that puts visitors inside a music video for local legend Bootsy Collins. At the end of the video, visitors can scan a QR code and download a recording as an instant souvenir.
Audience members for the grand opening program were grateful for the free concerts. Some believe the ticket prices to the larger music festival have become too expensive.
“The free concerts are a beautiful thing for the people to come especially old and young,” said Mary Mitchell, who’s been a fan of the Ohio Players for years.
“I love them,” she said. “Cincinnati needed this.”
Mitchell joined a packed house inside the music center. The program honored all of the people who worked hard to make it happen, led by Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reese.
“We did it! We did it everybody!” Reese told the audience.