ANDY T NICK NIXON BAND
Nick Nixon is one of those amazing artists that rarely surface today. This velvet voiced singer was born and raised in Nashville, TN, and was part of the thriving Jefferson Street blues scene of the 60’s. Nick was a Chess Records recording artist in the 70’s, and is a key figure in the reviving Nashville blues scene today. His latest, soon to be released CD on Blind Pig Records was recorded with guitarist/bandleader “Andy T” Talamantez (Guitar Shorty, Smokey Wilson), and produced by Anson Funderburgh. This follows the Andy T – Nick Nixon Band’s Delta Groove releases, “Drink Drank Drunk” (2013), and “Livin’ It Up” (2014).
As a long-time member of The New Imperials, an act with a forty-five year history, Nick has performed with many of the top blues and R&B artists in the world.
Nixon is something of an institution in the Music City, regularly performing for civic functions and even singing before thousands at the Riverfront Park, accompanied by the Nashville Symphony. His blues duo, Nick and Bayou, is the only act to have ever sung in the chambers of the Nashville Metro Council.
Despite such a varied and successful career in the music business, Nixon is still remembered by many as a friend and sometime stage mate of the late, great Jimi Hendrix. Nick befriended Hendrix and his pal (and later to be Band of Gypsies member) Billy Cox when they arrived in Nashville in the early ’60s. To this day Nick often writes and performs with his good friend, Cox.
“Andy T” Talamantez was born and raised in Southern California, and relocated to Nashville in 2008. His guitar style is influenced by T-Bone Walker, BB King, Magic Sam, and Albert Collins among others, yet it remains his own. Andy has toured internationally with blues greats Guitar Shorty and Smokey Wilson, and has performed with a long list of major blues artists around the country.
After meeting James “Nick” Nixon, and watching him perform, Andy knew that they would make an unstoppable combination.
ANSON FUNDERBURGH
ANSON FUNDERBURGH – a native of Texas, has spent the majority of his adult life playing the blues. Anson has earned the respect of artists like Delbert McClinton, Boz Scaggs, Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughan and Ronnie Earl. Over the years, these musicians have called on Anson to lend his tremendous guitar talents to their projects.
Funderburgh recorded with the Fabulous Thunderbirds on their Butt Rockin’ album, and went solo in 1981, when the New Orleans-based BlackTop label released Talk to You by Hand, the label’s first release. Funderburgh added Myers on harmonica and lead vocals in 1986. Myers had traveled for years on the chitlin circuit, where he had the chance to accompany people like Elmore James and Robert Junior Lockwood. Funderburgh continued his association in the ’90s with Black Top releasing Tell Me What I Want to Hear (1991), Live at Grand Emporium (1995), and That’s What They Want (1997). After releasing nine albums on Black Top, in 1999 Funderburgh changed record labels with the release of Change in my Pocket for Bullseye Blues, a cd which won several W.C. Handy Awards.
Since the passing of long time musical partner Sam Myers, Anson has concentrated on raising a family, working local gigs and performing at a smattering of festivals around the world. Now Anson has caught a renewed dose of the performing bug and will begin to perform more regularly with the distinct possibility of regular tours in the coming years.
“Funderburgh remains a musician’s musician. He’ll explode into a fiery and melodic solo, and then seamlessly recede into a song at just the right moment to propel the rhythm…he makes sure the songs both breathe and burn…a band that truly understands the essence of the genre.” – Blues Revue
“None of the younger crop of blues guitarist come close as Anson does to achieving the classic Stratocaster tone defined by Otis Rush in the ’50’s and Magic Sam in the ’60’s. The Rockets have landed and Anson is at the bridge.” –Guitar Player
RYAN MUMBY AND THE 100 YEAR RAIN
Born from the sweat and blood of determination and obsession, Ryan Mumby and the Hundred Year Rain blends a rich variety of blues styles with its own version of Chicago style grit.
Ryan Mumby has worked tirelessly to master his craft as a guitarist and songwriter for over fifteen years. At times, he’s nearly worn out the pause and playback buttons on his stereo—not just for the sake of being able to master the solos of his guitar idols, like Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but in order to gain a deeper understanding behind the notes. He strives to capture the heart and soul embedded in the music. Mumby’s ability to play with such feel landed him sit-in spots, at age seventeen, with the likes of Chicago blues musicians Nellie “Tiger” Travis and Andre Taylor. He’s gone on to share the stage with The Steepwater Band and Mr. Blotto.
By age twenty-one, Mumby had formed his own blues trio, which focused primarily on blues standards and related covers, and was playing gigs throughout the state of Illinois. His talent caught the eye of another Chicago-area bluesman, Michael Charles, who recruited Mumby to play in his band. In the five years that Mumby played in The Michael Charles Band, he got the chance to tour Australia, Canada, and the United States, in addition to performing at Chicago’s House of Blues and on JBTV. After a five-year stint with the band, Mumby decided to embark on his own creative vision, where the emphasis was on creating original music steeped in the blues.
In order to create this sound Ryan recruited the rhythm section of brothers Steve and Brian Baxter—on bass and drums, respectively—to lay down a tight groove on top of which Ryan’s soaring solos could take place. The Baxters have been jamming together ever since they picked up their instruments nearly 25 years ago. They have never shied from a genre, experimenting with an eclectic array of music. They joined Mumby, and as a power trio they honed their sound by playing the songs of their heroes, such as Muddy Waters and Peter Green. The band wasn’t satisfied there; they wanted to avoid becoming stagnant, so they began searching for ways to define themselves musically. What followed was an explosion of creativity. From the smokey blues club feel of “Poundin Ache” to the bluegrass/country influenced instrumental “Big Country” the Hundred Year Rain’s originals owe much to their influences without sounding derivative.
Not wanting to rest on their laurels, Ryan and the Baxters recruited guitarist Nick Bellezzo. Nick’s arrival added another dimension to the band’s sound. Whereas Ryan’s playing is firmly rooted in the blues, Nick’s playing is influenced from a number of sources including Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townshend. When Nick Bellezo isn’t satisfied with the tone of his instrument—or when he simply gets bored with it—he does what every guitarist would like to do: he builds a new one. He’s able to fine-tune his sound to compliment Mumby’s, creating interplay between the two guitars that makes for richly layered improvised single and dual solos, one of the band’s live staples.
Ryan Mumby and the Hundred Year Rain has been wowing crowds since December 2010 with an exciting and always growing live repertoire of originals and covers. The band thrives on challenging traditional boundaries, always having one foot in the blues, and the result of their tireless effort shows. They quickly are becoming a staple in the Chicagoland music scene, having performed at the Buddy Guy’s Legends, Double Door, Reggie’s Music Joint and Rock Club, The Elbo Room, Abbey Pub, Hard Rock Cafe (Chicago), and Brauerhouse, among others. If you are a fan of good blues and rock, Ryan Mumby and the Hundred Year Rain should be on your radar for bands to see in 2014!