JOHNNY NICHOLAS DISCOGRAPHY

Johnny Nicholas
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SOUTHWEST BLUES MAGAZINE
The recording leads off with the title tune "Rockin My Blues to Sleep," a Nicholas original featuring crisp horns, backup vocals from Marcia Ball and a rockin' beat. "Rain Down Tears" is an old Hank Ballard & The Midnighters song, which includes a great sax solo and some slide guitar work from Nicholas. ...  "Woke Up Screamin'" features the sublime vocals and piano work of Marcia Ball and is one of the highlights of the album. To round out the recording Nicholas throws in covers from Jimmy Rogers, T-Bone Walker, J.B. Lenoir and Fats Domino....

Rockin' My Blues to Sleep is another example of what makes the Texas music scene so special. It is evident that the musicians involved in this project had a great time during the recording of these sessions as the enthusiasm shows up the music. Whether you are a fan of Nicholas, some of the guest artists appearing on the recording or just Texas blues in general this recording is highly recommended... (MORE)

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BLUES ART STUDIO: An impressing reissue that originally was recorded in 1994 for Antones. Performed by one of the historical white Texas blues names, that is to say, the one and only Mr. Johnny Nicholas who along the years has recorded with such legendary names like Walter Horton, Johnny Shines or Snooky Pryor. The cd has been now recovered for the pleasure of blues lovers and fans. You will find John Nicholas together with Jack Barber on bass, C.C. Pinkston on drums, Floyd Domini and Ernie Bowser sharing piano and Nicholas himself playing guitar, mandolin, harmonica, keyboards and vocals too. Genuine, original and powerful blues that deeply reminds fifties Chess recording sessions sound. Four amazing bonus tracks complete the legacy of eleven excellent personal songs recorded by one of my favourite blues celebrities, Mr. Johnny Nicholas, ESSENTIAL. VICENTE P. ZÚMEL

CONNECT Although considered a Texas blues man, Johnny Nicholas actually honed his chops on around and about the Midwest, on the blues scenes of Providence, Detroit, and Chicago in the '60s. He was frontman for Ann Arbor's Boogie Brothers in the early '70s when this genre of music was as popular as could be in this music-loving college town. Then came the move to Texas, a state known for many styles of traditional music as well as blues. He dug right in, playing Cajun music with Link Davis and Western swing with the Grammy award winning Austin band Asleep at the Wheel. He also recorded with blues master Big Walter Horton in Chicago in 1977. In the next decade, he stepped down from the music business in order to raise a family. The couple opened a restaurant which did quite well, and Nicholas stayed away from the blues until the early '90s. He started out again slowly, bending the strings a little around home and on the festival circuit. Nicholas formed a group with some of his favorite musicians from San Antonio and Austin. In 1994, he cut the recording Thrill on the Hill for the Antone's label, followed by Rockin' My Blues to Sleep: Texas/Louisiana Blues and Dance Hall Favorites on Hilltop. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide

You can get an autographed copy of any CD directly from Johnny
send $15 plus $1.50 shipping and handling to:

Johnny Nicholas, 10661 N U.S. Hwy 87 Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Checks or Money orders accepted.
Be sure to include the title of the CD(s) and your return address.

ABOUT JOHNNY NICHOLAS' THRILL ON THE HILL @ TOP CAT RECORDS
In 1980, after twenty years of the blues scenes of Providence, Detroit-Ann Arbor, Chicago, the Bay Area, the Cajun country of Louisiana, and Texas - performing with Duke Robillard, Steve Nordella, Big Walter Horton, Asleep At The Wheel and Johnny Shine (Nicholas played on and produced the late Johnny Shine’s last album with Snooky Pryor), Johnny Moved to the Hill Country outside Austin and opened the Hilltop Cafe, inconveniently located in the middle of nowhere (10 miles north of Fredericksburg, Texas) Until 1991, that was the only way you could hear Nicholas on any recording.

Then in 1994, Antones released his CD Thrill On The Hill, a live CD which brought him again to the forefront of the world blues scene again. By popular demand, TopCat Records is re-releasing this gem with 4 great bonus tracks from the original sessions. Thrill on the Hill was recorded live on location, direct to two track at the Hilltop Cafe.

Thrill on the Hill was performed with cronies Jack Barber on bass, C.C. Pinkston on drums, Floyd Domino and Ernie Bowser alternating on piano and producer Stephen Bruton sitting in on several instruments. Johnny Nicholas plays guitar, harp, mandolin and keyboards. Nicholas forges a lean, slicing attack held in place by a bedrock-firm bottom reminiscent of the early Chess sessions. Every fan of Johnny’s and the "real stuff" will be thrilled to add this new Topcat release to their collection. This CD is proof of Johnny Nicholas’ blues acumen and is a joy to listen to. Without a doubt, this CD is a testament to the fact that Johnny is back in force. Welcome to the Hilltop!

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MP-3 DOWNLOAD INDIVIDUAL SONGS  FROM LIVIN' WITH THE BLUES @  $.99 EACH

STL BLUES REVIEWS: THRILL ON THE HILL: This disc was originally released by Antone’s Records in 1994 and has been out of print for some time. It has been re-released by popular demand. I have never heard anything by this cat before but I loved it the first time I listened to it. To be honest, it’s the first hard core blues album I have heard in a while. Six of the fifteen tracks are Johnny’s originals. There is a definite Robert Johnson influence and there is also a song by Hank Ballard, who is one of my all-time favs! Here is a track listing:

CD BABY   THRILL ON THE HILL: Nicholas forges a lean, slicing attack held in place by a bedrock-firm bottom reminiscent of the early Chess sessions. Every fan of Johnny's and the "real stuff" will be thrilled to add this new Topcat release to their collection. This CD is proof of Johnny Nicholas' blues acumen and is a joy to listen to. Without a doubt, this CD is a testament to the fact that Johnny is back in force. Welcome to the Hilltop!

LIVIN' WITH THE BLUES: Johnny Nicholas is without a doubt "The Real Deal" and every fan of Johnny will be thrilled to add this exceptional CD to their collection. Livin' With The Blues is sure to receive stellar reviews and will certainly be one of the top CD releases of 2005.  

"The Gospel According To Austin"
benefit CD
a compilation of kick butt Gospel music from Austin to the world
"Blues rocker Johnny Nicolas offers a full out version of John the Revelator which is sure to have you stamping you feet and singing along, "

Fans of the eclectic sound track of O Brother Where Art Thou should investigate "the Gospel According to Austin". This is gospel music for those who wouldn't necessarily darken the door of a church or turn to a minister for guidance - but who feel the power of the flashing lightning and stormy night in Guy Forsyth's rendering of The Master's Call, and who know the weary place of hope from which Ruben Ramos sings (in both English and Spanish) One Day at a Time. Blues singer Johnny Nicolas offers a deep soul version of John the Revelator, and country swing master Don Walser invites The Heavenly Band to the honky tonk, while ace guitarist Stephen Bruton backs up Malford Milligan on Touch the Hem of His Garment. Lisa Tingle, Larry Gatlin, and many other fine hill country musicians add their view of faith based music outside the church walls on this unique project.

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