The Sidecars Live

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     The Cincinnati Sidecars have been playing western swing in the tradition of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys and The Light Crust Doughboys for more than two decades. The Sidecars started in 2000 when fiddler Chris Larsen, steel player Damon Gray and bassist Nick Lloyd met up with guitarist Caleb Bennet, guitarist Eric Evans and his pal, trumpet player Howard Peirce and began a weeknight gig in the front window of Sitwell's Coffee shop in the Clifton neighborhood. After a time they moved to a weekly spot at Arnold's in downtown Cincinnati and Sarah Johnson joined in to sing. In 2002 they recorded the self produced album "Stay All Night" and performed all over town in music venues such as Northside Tavern, The Comet and the old Southgate House and The Rabbit Hash General Store. They appeared at festivals such as Tall Stacks, Jammin' on Main, River Town Breakdown americana/roots music festival and The Old Timers Day Festival in Rabbit Hash, KY. They performed live on local radio stations WNKU and WAIF and twice were nominated for Cincinnati Entertainment Awards. 

     Over the decade players came and went, John Toedman joined to play bass and Greg Schramm played drum kit and Dave Edmunson played banjo and occasional fiddle.

     We were heartbroken in 2014 when we lost both Howard and Chris within months of each other. Their tragic passing affected everyone profoundly and made it just too damn hard to listen to, much less play western swing music and The Sidecars took some time off. Eric Evans went to play jugband music with The Dancing Pigs, Damon Gray played with the group Straw Boss, John Toedman started the jazz group The Dirty Shirleys and the others went to pursue other projects. 

     As time went by and the sad memories began to give way to happier reminiscing. Singing and playing the old western swing favorites became a way to remember our old pals. Eric, John and Damon began getting out the old tunes and arrangements and playing them with both happy memories and a new look forward. With Sarah joining in to sing they are recording and bringing the ever popular western swing of The Cincinnati Sidecars to your neighborhood. Hope to see ya'll soo