Album Notes

Every spare minute he had, Nick would spend playing his guitar. Backs of receipts, napkins, and paper plates quickly became the next song lyric notepad. I spotted him in his own little world under a shady tree one day in rural Iowa, and I came close enough to listen but far enough to remain unseen. He played some oldies — Beatles, Clapton, and Hendrix. Then he played some songs that I could tell were his current inspirations — Dave Matthews, Third Day, and U2. Then he played a few that I couldn't put a finger on — the groove was familiar but the lyrics were fresh. I later found out those songs were Nick's originals.

At one of Nick's shows on "The Loop" (St. Louis) this year, I overheard a listener say to his date "That guy sounds like a young Dylan." Whatever the comparison may be, Nick has taken threads of some great classic sounds — American Roots, classic gospel, and rock — and woven a fabric all his own.

Nick is a man on Mission. He sees the possibility, the dream, the vision of how music can truly change the world. He wants to share a message of redemption and truth through the universal language of music. His lyrics are poetic, even romantic — and carry a tone of revolution and vision. His song topics are vast — from the jealous Lover God, to an apocalyptic scene in Vegas, to a lonely military wife's prayers. My personal favorites are "Back to Right" — a humble love song — and "Your Hero" — just plain straight ahead acoustic rock.

Please take a listen. You'll be intrigued. You'll be challenged. You'll tap your toe and break a smile at how he "got there" in a song.