In 1959, while Nokie was playing lead guitar for Buck Owens, he was approached by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, a couple of guitarists from Washington. They asked Nokie to join them in forming a band which later became known as The Ventures (a band that went on to become the most popular rock instrumental band in history). The group’s first single was a remake of guitarist Chet Atkins’ ‘Walk Don’t Run,’ which was written by jazz guitarist Johnny Smith. The tune was released in 1960 on Josie Wilson’s Blue Horizon label and garnered a lot of requests in the Seattle area. The group then signed with Dolton Records which was owned by Bob Reisdorff. Dolton later became a subsidiary of Liberty Records, and ‘Walk Don’t Run’ was released nationally, with the tune peaking at ..2 on the charts. The Ventures followed up the hit single with an album appropriated entitled "Walk Don’t Run". While touring with The Ventures, Nokie played lead on many famous hits that were recorded by Nokie and The Ventures by such as ‘Hawaii 5-O’ , ‘Fugitive’, ‘2000 Pound Bee’, ‘Yellow Jacket’, ‘Hokkaido Skies’, ‘Driving Guitars’, ‘Surf Rider’ (also known as ‘Spudnik’,) ’Moon Child’, ‘Pedal Pusher’, ‘Sleep Walk’, ‘Let’s Go’,’ Slaughter on Tenth Avenue’, ‘Wipe Out’, and ‘Pipeline’, to name a few.
Nokie left The Ventures in 1968 and moved back to Washington to pursue his interest in horse racing, and to further his solo career playing and writing all styles of music. Nokie returned to play lead for The Ventures from 1972 to 1984, and also played in other bands when The Ventures were not touring. Nokie performed with Lefty, David, and Allan Frizzell on Lefty’s last engagement in Tacoma before his untimely death in 1975. In 1985, Nokie briefly joined the band of the country duo Frizzell & West, which featured David Frizzell and Shelly West, who were known for their many hits including, ‘You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma’.
Nokie still tours Japan performing with The Ventures, and also tours with them in the US when he is needed. One particular tour in Japan took in 108 concerts in only 78 days, and when Nokie and The Ventures arrived in 1965, an estimated 10,000 people showed up at the Tokyo airport to welcome Nokie and The Ventures: Japan’s Beloved Guitar Invaders! Nokie also tours the US, UK, Italy, Canada, as well as Japan twice a year with his own tour. Nokie’s capacity for touring and the drawing record crowds is something for the history books.
In 2002, Nokie started a new guitar company: HitchHiker Guitars. Nokie put his knowledge of 55 years of mastering the guitar into a beautiful instrument. The guitar has great sustain; there are fifteen variations of tones by using the tone control in conjunction with the switches. The word is out that the guitar has an identifiable sound - its own "signature" sound. Once you hear a HitchHiker guitar you know the name because you never forget the distinctive sound. Nokie takes great pride in quality. He spared no expense in building this high tech, high quality guitar built by a true master guitar player, Nokie Edwards. For 2006, Nokie continues to perform with The Ventures having just completed yet another winter tour of Japan. He continues to make appearances all over the world and make great music. For more info, go to www.nokieedwards.com
I am sorry to learn about the recent death of a founding member of The Ventures family. I hope you are still playing as often as possible and if you ever learn who played that remarkable cowboy fiddle on 'Deadwood' theme, please let me know; it got my attention right away as soon as I heard it. Thank you so much.
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Hello Nokie. Thanks for the add. My wife Yelonda and I were so honored to meet you and Judy up near Santa Cruz playing with Robbie Allen and the Sundogs band. My wife was so thrilled to win the acoustic guitar in the drawing contest and was so thankful for you signing it. We bought and listened to your Nokie Classic cd on the way home. It was great. Rob, lead guitarist with the Drifting Sand Band.
Nokie Edwards and Don Wilson @ The Liberty Theater in Puyallup,Wa on June 12th 2009! Tickets available through Ticketmaster or At J.C.'s Music. Call for Details 253)864-9911!
