Music@BCM: Bam Powell & The Troublemakers

Singer-drummer Rick “Bam” Powell has been swinging sticks, singing songs and writing music for nearly a half-century. The most musical drummer in Cincinnati, Powell performs his bluesy kind of rock ‘n’ soul style with The Troublemakers at Music@BCM, Thursday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m.

Raised in Lebanon, Ohio, his preferred style is “Cincinnati Sound,”  which has been with him since high school. “I can’t escape it,” he says.  “It is part of my heritage.”

Powell was the drummer for LeBlanc and Carr in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and opened four shows for Lynyrd Skynrd before returning to the Cincinnati area in the 1980s to join The Raisins. Over the years, Powell has performed with some of the area’s top groups, including the Goshorn Brothers, the Bluebirds and Tickled Pink, producing a number of recordings, including three solo CDs.

His current Troublemakers bandmates include Randy Villars on sax, Lee Everett on keys, Mike Fletcher on bass and vocals and Pete Benpiot, guitar and vocals.

Music@BCM takes place in BCM’s outdoor amphitheater at 1600 Montague Road-Devou Park, Covington, KY 41011 from 7 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children ages 3-12. Visitors presenting an EBT card receive reduced admission of $3 for up to four persons.

Guests should bring folding chairs or blankets for seating. In case of inclement weather, the event will move indoors. Adult beverages will be available for purchase as well as veritable favorites of the barbecue world, served fresh by Bellevue’s favorite barbecue food truck, Doo-Little Shack and Snack. Parking is free. The concert will also be live-streamed on BCM’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bcmuseumnky.

The 2022 Music@BCM concert series is dedicated in memory and honor of our friend and BCM Trustee, Gary Johnston who passed away unexpectedly this year. The 2022 season will conclude on August 25 with Blue Eighty.

Music@BCM 2022 is sponsored by The George and Margaret McLane Foundation, Ruth Faragher Family, WNOP – The Scurvy Crew, Hummel Hatfield Insurance, KW Mechanical, Mt. St. Joseph University and Ashley Development. Special thanks to Kenton County Rotary, Johnny’s Car Wash and Reality Tuesday Cafe.