"The Rod Nickson Project"
Rod Nickson: Lead Vocals, Bass,
Harmonica, lyrics and arrangements
Influences
Some of the people who I've looked up to in the music buisness are probabally not the most famous, although guys like BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert King, and Ray Charles will always be special to me. But guys like: Chris & Joe Beard, Shemika Copland and Lucky Peterson are carrying the torch farther on down the road. My true interests other than music would have to be listed as: my kids and my pontiacs. I have two of each. Later on, I will add pictures of the Pontiacs, but not the kids. As I said before, this is just the beginning. Stay tuned for more updates.
Sounds Like
"The Rod Nickson Project"
(Shared Stages)
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Doug Flutie All-Star band
Kenny Wayne Shepard
Joe Beard (Many Times)
Chris Beard(Many Times)
Robert Cray (Requested Us)
James Peterson
Lucky Peterson
Rico McFarlan
Bob Margolian
Janice Mitchell
Count Rabbit (Many Times)
Shirley King (BB's Daughter)
Gladys Knight
Marcia Ball
Michael Pickett
Lance Diamond
Elvin Bishop
Kelly Hunt
Fathead
Sean Costello
Little Charlie & The Night Cats
Mel Brown
Chuck Jackson & The Downchild Blues Band
Dickie Betts
Shrimp Daddy
Chuck Jackson
Dickey Betts and Great Southern
Music has been in my family for as far back as I can remember. My grandmother sang, my aunt still sings, and my father was a blues guitar man, born in Mississippi. This is why music has always been the escape for my family. I formed a group in the early days, called "Project"; this group did not receive any notice until we became the "Project R&B Revue". At this point we finished 4th in the International Blues Talent Competition in Memphis, Tennessee, on Beale Street. The awards started coming at that point, and we became famous, at least locally. I have had the honor and privilege of playing with several famous musicians from the U.S. and Canada and opening up or playing on stage with several of the best blues acts around. Check "Shared Stages" In addition to the awards listed below, 2006 brought me the "Entertainer of the Year Award" from Blues Beat Magazine.
"The Band"
The band has gone through some changes, as would be expected. Fortunately, for us, the changes were all good. We now have 2 new additions.
Chris Marziale (Keys) That’s right! We finally got some keys. Chris is a great find for the band; he sings and can play anything from jazz to blues to funk! Chris has been playing for over 20 years and has won many local and regional music awards, for his talents are second to none.
Ray Barry (Lead guitar, Slide) This Music Major has been around now for about 1 1/2 years with The Rod Nickson Project. He is without a doubt one of the best young artists on the rise. Great vocals and awesome lead--Ray is the complete package. Destined for fame.
John Larson (Drums) Every band starts somewhere and this one starts with John. Holding down the back-beat for almost 20 years for Rod, John is more than just an awesome drummer; he’s the heartbeat of the band. John has won many local awards as has the band that surrounds him.
Nik (Guitar, Bass) The best way to describe Nik is he’s the gel that helps keep everyone together. He can play Bass or Lead and has seniority over the rest. He’s been with Rod for about 19 years. Together with Rod and John, Nik helps to hold down a rhythm section that’s able to play almost anything and make it sound real.
Rod (Lead Vocal,Bass)
Rod Nickson was voted "Top Male Blues Vocalist" in 2005, 2002 and 2001 at the Buffalo Music Awards, and in 2003 at the People’s Choice Awards. Rod brings a powerful and soulful presence to the stage that demands attention and keeps it all night long. Bringing home in 2002 The Western New York’s Listener Award for "Best Rhythm & Blues Band" and Buffalo Music Award’s 2002 "Top Blues Crossover Band" also says a lot about Rod and the band’s versatility.
Son of local legend "Matt Guitar Nickson," Rod grew up with Blues in his veins. Later, Frank Lorenz "The Hound Dog," hooked him on R&B. Rod took up drums in high school and by his junior year in college, was playing drums, bass and acoustic guitar, later picking up the piano and harmonica.
While playing a variety of music in college, it was only when he came home that he got deep into the Blues. Rod played bass on Fridays and Saturdays at the "Green Ghetto" with father Matt on guitar, Denny Fox on drums and Johnny Soul singing the Blues. Rod is one of the few "singers" who can cross over from Blues to Rock and Roll to R&B -- the mark of a "True Singer."
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
What's up Big Daddy! Our Van broke down on the way to the "Return To Forever" reunion in Toronto yesterday! Major letdown! I was taking my son (drummer) to see Lenny White and the boys. Catch ya in the loop!
Hey guys...thanks for a great performance at the Tap Room! We had a blast and the icing on the cake was hearing you rock out Zeppelin :>) Looking forward to seeing you again & again! Keep rockin'!
