We've Got the Badass Blues
John Nickel bleeds music and smokes guitars. Metaphorically speaking of course. He's been playing guitar since he was a kid, banging it out in his bedroom.
"In High school, I was a snare drummer in the marching band. It was a blast. I play anything. I don't care."Nickel's style: tough, badass, bluesy rock and roll. But don't let all the banging scare you - he's a marshmallow inside.
Born and raised in the Muscle Shoals/Florence area, Nickel says there was never any question about whether he'd become a musician.
"In kindergarten we had a Bo Diddley poster in our lunchroom. I used to look at it all the time. In 2000, I saw Microwave Dave at the W.C. Handy Fest. My first payed gig was playing the guitar. I met my wife that way."But when Nickel's little girl was born, the musician's lifestyle didn't sync anymore. He'd been tinkering with cigar boxes for awhile, so Nickel headed to Lowe Mill Arts and opened his Cigar Box Studio, creating unique 3-string guitars with his trademark Buffalo Head nickel embedded in the fret.
Nickel is less tethered these days, working out of his garage, in the true spirit of musicians the world over.
"I'm poopin' it out right now."
A: I do. But I don't like my voice that much. I'm all about the riff.
His lyrics? Well, you decide:
Always matters what you say
Always matters what you do every day
Life is stupid short these days
Found I ain't got time to waste
-Lost Grace, The "Unfiltered" Album
by John Nickel
Nickel hopes to complete his second album in time for Christmas. Follow his Face book page for details.
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| Nickel's faithful follower, Havana, guards the cigar box guitars. |
As for Havana and those nickel-studded cigar box guitars - they're going on the road! He'll meet you with the tools and talk you through the build. No rent equates to less cost for you. Call him in time for Christmas.
Nickel performs at festivals, and local restaurants and meeting places: The Boot, Copper Top, and Star Market in South Huntsville.
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