Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy Haney
Hi Jimmy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started with my interest in music when I was in middle school by a technicality. My music teacher had a requirement for his class that you have and maintain a folder to track assignments, music, and tests. When it came time to go around the class and prove to him that we all had our folders, I was without one. After class, I asked if there was something to be done about my grade which would ultimately be affected. After some back and forth, I looked at the cheap, unweighted keys of a Casio keyboard (with no sustain pedal). We had just finished a biopic on this life of Johann Sebastian Bach, and of course it touched on one of his most famous works Toccata and Fugue in D minor. I asked him if I could learn the first part of Toccata (Fugue was seemed much more daunting as it required foot pedals in addition to the keyboard, something not easily accomplished with a Casio keyboard from the 90s) if he would give me the credit. Reluctantly, he agreed, and let me borrow a keyboard. I would spend an incredible amount of time learning from YouTube videos (I had not yet comprehended sheet music – I still don’t). I returned a week later and played it for him as a crowd of students huddled around; My first real performance. Needless to say, the points were returned, and a new love founded.
Some time after that, my best friend at the time who I had just met in the 6th grade invited me over to his house where I discovered he could play guitar. I was so enamored by the idea of a string instrument. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the keyboard, but I did not own one which made advancing my skills impossible. I talked to my friends and mother forever about music: The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC (My mom’s top three favorite – not in that order). However, despite the wonderful singer my mom is and the amazing musician my dad is (He’s self taught as am I), lessons were never encouraged like sports were. My friends and I discussed starting a band. I went home, and asked my dad if I could learn to play bass. He gave me a Cort B2: A headless, 4-string kind of bass with tuning pegs at the bottom, two pickup (a jazz and a precision), and an awkward body. I still have it. I love my dad but he’s a terrible teacher. He taught me, or at least attempted to teach me, “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple: So many people’s first song. When he realized it wasn’t working, he set me in front of our iPad and turned on a YouTube video and told me to play it by ear. Which in about 30 minutes, I had finally did it.
Soon after I learned guitar, then drums, even some cello and banjo. I could not get enough
In high school, I joined my first band under to prospect that I would play keyboard (something that would float in and out of my life musically). A group of initially six guys from my high school who I had gotten to know in my time in the jazz band which I was a member of, playing bass. The drummer, for reasons I don’t recall, had dropped out. Our lead player, one of my great friends who I still run into now and again at venues and shows, had informed me of the news and asked if I wanted to play drums instead. I agreed, however my parents had sold our drum set, and I was nervous about doing well. I’m from a small town called Trenton in southwest Ohio. My father had driven me up to Dayton to a sketchy neighborhood and helped me buy my first real drum set for probably 80 bucks. I also still have it. A five-piece drum set with a sparkly blue shell (although the first rack tom was black) and a high-hat and one cymbal – talk about a steal.
We had our first practice under the name With the Friends. Our lead player rips into the first song, and we all joined in. After the first take we all looked at each other and realized we had something special. We played for a few years, and even built up quite a following with some big plans in store, until our lead player had left for university in South Dakota.
I had been writing some music on the side, and after we disbanded, the remaining members reformed into our new group. After several names, we decided on Ohio Weather. We played more gigs, and even had a few unofficial releases which I’m sure you could probably scrape up somewhere on the internet.
We disbanded in 2019, ended our friendship and I went into a deep depression.
After five years, I decided I would get back to music. I had still been writing, but never thought of doing anything. When people would ask, I would sort of chuckle and say, “I’m retired.”
I went through my song journal and picked out the best ones. In the early summer/late spring of 2024, I began production on my debut album Poor Boy, and in November 2024, it was released. I took a break for the winter, and I am returning to play shows this new year and moving forward.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been anything but smooth. My life up until 2019 was the golden years. I had a lovely girlfriend, a great group of friends, I was working a great job, and playing music in my city.
However, one of my biggest regrets in life is using drugs. In 2020, I began experimenting with and using cocaine, even mixing it with alcohol: a very dangerous combination. My friends, bandmates, and partners, resented me, got frustrated with me, and ended up ultimately cutting me out of their life. I was angry. I was unpleasant to be around. I would even go as far as using and blacking out in my friends’ homes. I felt hopeless. I still live with it every day. I went into my depression, I was reclusive, but I was still feeling deeply lonely and miserable inside. I had started school in 2019, and it was a big change for me. Making friends was difficult because I didn’t need to make friends before. I always had my group of people.
I eventually discovered a love for art and poetry. I ended up in art school, and I finally had a sense of community again. I cherish my friends dearly. They offered me a shoulder to cry on. They offered me solace, forgiveness, and space. Much of my album is about them and my love for them.
I celebrated four years sober in 2024.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a solo musical artist based of the Heights in Cincinnati. Although I play every instrument and sing every note on my records, I usually have a band with me when I play live. So, in that situation I play the acoustic and electric guitar as well as the piano. My sets are usually split with guitar stuff to begin and ending with piano numbers. I am known for my ballads and sentimental music, but also the ability to do much more rocking tunes. I am most proud of finally getting a full length album out of my original music. I think what sets me apart from others is my range of abilities. There aren’t many people in Cincinnati who play rock piano as a part of their main gimmick. Nor is there many artists who play acoustic with a full band as a part of their gimmick. The music can pump you up or make you cry. It’s slow and it’s fast. It’s certainly a broad range of ideas and styles. Additionally, at more recent shows (not pictured), I have very unique instruments and wardrobe.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The thing I love most about Cincinnati is the sheer amount of creatives in this city. I have had the pleasure to connect with other musicians of other styles, muralists, sculptors, performance artists, poets, and many more. It is vibrant, it is beautiful. I am proud to call Cincinnati my home base. There are so many people in this city doing so many wonderful things. It’s honestly very encouraging.
I think the problem I have is that it is very hard to break in with these creatives. When I was playing live music in 2019, there was a much different atmosphere. People just wanted to connect. Even if it was just anybody. Now in 2025, I find there is a clique mentality at times. People only do for their friends and nothing more. Nowadays, you must know somebody to know somebody, I say. Meaning, if you want to get into a venue or event or just to connect with another creative, you have to know them personally. No more is there connecting friends with friends.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmy_haney/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jimmy_Haney
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3JNurwdM9Pu1vo8EEoQ30b
Image Credits
Betsy Phillips, Angie Bolan
