NMG was at the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) convention in Nashville in October, which brings talent buyers and venue owners from around the world to Nashville looking for talent to book. As part of the convention, Buddy Lee’s Birthday Bash is a showcase at BB King’s Nightclub of  artists signed to the roster of  Buddy Lee Attractions. The acts performing that night were all outstanding, but one young man especially stood out from the musical pack, Gary Nichols. His funky, bluesy and swampy countrified singing and guitar playing were one of the musical highlights of the night.

        Several years ago on the same B B King stage NMG spotted an unknown female singer performing during the Country Radio Seminar. She sang a song that was about to be her debut Sony Records single, and she too caught the ear of NMG. She was the photo feature  in our news section for the CRS event. It turns out the act was Gretchen Wilson and the song “Redneck Woman” written by John Rich. The rest is musical history.

      Ironically, Gary Nichols’ current single released to radio last month is also a song penned by John Rich with his Musik Mafia Mate James Otto as a co-writer and is entitled “I Can’t Love You Anymore.“ Don’t be surprised if lightning  strikes twice, and this lamenting lost-love ballad launches Nichols’ career.

     His first single off the album, “Unbroken Ground,”  written by John Paul White, James LeBlanc, Kris Bergsnes & Gary Nichols, made waves charting in the top 40 of Billboard and the video of the song, directed by LA’s Paul Boyd, reaching the top 15 videos on both GAC and CMT.

The Album

       His debut album on Mercury records is entitled GARY NICHOLS. His unique bluesy country sound permeates throughout the disc from the party anthem “Southern Girls” to the rocker “Homegrown” and the grooving “Love for a Living.”  One of the most  passionate songs on the album is the ballad, “Makin’ Love to You,” whose lyrics and melody capture the sexual connotation of its title. The album was produced by two of Nashville’s most successful producers, Scott Hendricks and James Stroud. How does James Stroud describe the Nichols’ music, “The ultimate definition of Dangerous Country.”   

       Sadly, you can’t buy the album at this time, for it’s release date is early Spring 2007. 

     NMG asked Nichols what was his favorite song on the album, and he responded,  “You know my favorites are all of them. I was concentrating on the entire album being representative of me as an artist and my music, and I believe I achieved this,  so it would be hard to pick one favorite.”

The Big Break.

      Nichols, unlike many singers trying to “make it,” never actually moved to Music City. He was born and lived in famed Muscle Shoal, Alabama and made several trips to Music City, mainly pitching songs; he considered himself in the early days as mainly a songwriter and musician. That’s when fate stepped in. He joined the rock cover group  Gulliver and became their lead singer. In 2003, the band was hired to do a private party in Nashville, and the young  crooner caught the attention of Nashville producer Scott Hendricks. Gary recalled, “During the break I started talking to Scott Hendricks, and to be honest with you, I didn’t know who he was. When he found out I was a songwriter, he asked to hear some of my material. I took him out to my car and played him songs I had written. Well, I get back to Alabama and I have my last $20 in my pocket and about to buy some guitar strings, when Scott calls me on my cell phone.  He tells me he wants to work with me and he’s gonna make me a millionaire. I said, ‘What did you say?’ That’s how it started.”

The All Important Buzz.

     One of the best ways to get a record deal in this town is to create a buzz about yourself from different people in the business. E. J. Bernas, a radio promoter out of Alabama,  heard the young artist performing on Jerry Phillips’ Radio Show, “Muscle Shoals to Music City.“ E. J. told the A & R folks at Mercury Records about the talented guitar slinger from Alabama, so they already knew about Nichols when  Hendricks approached them with songs he had produced on the young artist. Mercury signed Nichols, and his first album on the label was produced by Scott Hendricks,  James Stroud and also Gary Nichols. Nichols commented, “Before I signed I wanted to make sure the album would represent who I am as an artist and my music.”

The Triple Threat

     Besides being called “Dangerous Country”, Nichols is also “the triple threat”, based on his talent as a singer, musican and writer.

     Nichols regards his musical skills as being mainly self-taught. Nichols related to NMG, ”I only took a couple of lessons. My one guitar teacher told me if you can hum it you can play it. That’s when I started listening to guitar riffs and trying to imitate them. That’s basically how I learned to play. I’m fortunate to be blessed with a good ear.” He honed his musical skills in the clubs of Alabama and Tennessee performing in numerous bands in his teens and early twenties. His expertise in the guitar has earned him the name of “guitar slinger.” Other guitar slingers in Country Music include Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, Keith Urban, Vince Gill and Brad Paisley. Gary Nichols is a great fan of all of these great singer instrumentalists. Can we expect a guitar shootout at midnight in Music City soon ? Let’s hope so, for it would be a country music dream come true.

       The next threat is his singing style, which can best be described as having that bluesy soulful edge that immediately catches your ear and is reminiscent of the styles of Travis Tritt, T. Graham Brown and singer / songwriter Alex Harvey. Nichols related, “ I consider my music at the crossroads of country, rock & soul. My musical heros are George Jones, Led Zeppelin, Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett.”

     His song writing ability was recognized back in Muscle Shoals where he was signed as a staff writer with Fame Music. Nichols recalled, “You know, at that time, I never really wanted to be a singer. My main focus was to be successful as a musician and as a writer. I loved writing and playing in the clubs.”

Advice to Other Artists.

   When asked what advice he has for undiscovered artists he responded, “Don’t try too hard. By that I don’t mean don’t work hard, but focus on your music and being the best you can be. The rest will come naturally. In the end, it’s really about the music. I am just so very fortunate to be doing what I love.”

The Future

     The immediate future for Nichols is promoting his latest single and album. Bud Lee is currently booking him for tours and festivals for 2007, and fans can visit his website for specific dates. What can you say about his future? Right now, you can say he’s star bound !

Www.Gary-Nichols.com