Gary Nicholsonis an American singer-songwriter[2]and record producer, known mainly for his work incountry musicandblues.He is a two-time Grammy winning producer and was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriter's Association Hall of Fame.[3]Nicholson has more than 500 recordings and is best known for his work withWillie Nelson,Waylon Jennings,Garth Brooks,George Strait,Ringo Starr,B. B. King,Fleetwood MacandBilly Joe Shaver.[4]
Gary Nicholson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Commerce, Texas,U.S.[1] |
| Origin | Nashville, Tennessee,U.S. |
| Genres | Country Blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter record producer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
Early life and education
editNicholson was born in Commerce, Texas. He grew up in Garland, Texas and began playing guitar in his teenage years in bands such as "The Valiants", "The Catalinas" and "The Untouchables". Afterward, Nicholson attendedUniversity of North Texas,majoring in music.[5]
Career
editEarly career
editIn 1970, Nicholson and his band drove to Los Angeles, California. The band won a talent contest at the Palomino Club and met musiciansJames Burton,Red RhodesandClarence White.Afterwards, he formed the bluegrass/folk trio, "The Whitehorse Brothers", playing in Southern California. The group expanded and became "Uncle Jim's Music" and was signed to MCA/Kapp records for two albums.[6]
In 1973, Nicholson moved back to Texas and started the rock/country band "Hot Sauce". During this time, he first played withDelbert McClinton.His friend and bandmate, Jim Ed Norman, recorded Nicholson's song "Jukebox Argument", sung byMickey Gilleyin the filmUrban Cowboy.[6]
In 1980, Nicholson signed with Norman's Jensong Music and moved toNashville, Tennessee.[7]He played lead guitar forGuy Clarkduring the recording of the albumBetter Days.Mickey Gilleyrecorded Nicholson's songs "Your Love Shines Through"and" Ladies Night ". During this time, he also played guitar for such artists asBilly Joe Shaver,Bobby BareandGuy Clark.[4]
In 1983, Nicholson signed a publishing contract with Tree Publishing (nowSony/ATV Music Publishing).[8][9]He achieved his first number 1 hit in 1984 with the song "That's the Thing About Love",recorded byDon Williamsand "The Power of Love",recorded byCharley Pride.In 1986, he wrote six songs forT. Graham Brown's debut album and in 1987 the title and five others on his second release,Brilliant Conversationalist.[10]
He penned a number 1 hit in 1993 with "One More Last Chance"recorded and co-written byVince Gill.In 1995, Nicholson co-wrote six songs withJohn Prinefor his album,Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings.He co-wrote a song forWaylon Jenningscalled "Working Without a Net"in 1996. He received ASCAP Awards in 1997 for the songs,"Givin' Water to a Drowning Man",byLee Roy Parnell,and "A Thousand Times a Day",byPatty Loveless.Nicholson also left Sony/ATV Music Publishing to start his own publishing company, Gary Nicholson Music ASCAP, during this time. In 1998, Nicholson wrote the album title and single "Trouble with the Truth"byPatty Loveless.In 1999, his song "Live, Laugh, Love"was the album title and single forClay Walker.[4][6]
Later career
editIn 2001, his song "She Couldn't Change Me"byMontgomery Gentryreached number two on Billboard Hot Country Songs. In 2002, Nicholson's song "Squeeze Me In"became a hit duet forGarth BrooksandTrisha Yearwood.He also charted for the singles, "When Love Gets Ahold of You" byReba McEntire,"Back in Your Arms Again"byThe Mavericksand "The Reason Why" byVince Gill.[10]In 2003, he co-wrote the single "Never Without You" withRingo Starrand has collaborated on each of his last five records.[11]In 2008, Nicholson co-wrote the title song, "Skin Deep",for Buddy Guy, which was number one on the Billboard Blues Chart and Grammy nominated. He co-wrote" The Git Go "withBilly Joe ShaverforWillie Nelson'sBand of Brothersalbum, and co-wrote "It Ain't You" withWaylon Jennings,as a Ray Benson/Willie Nelson duet.[4]
Nicholson has more than 500 recordings of his songs during his career.[12]He has co-written songs with many notable songwriters and artists includingRingo Starr,Stevie Nicks,Neil Diamond,Vince Gill,Los Lonely Boys,Jimmy Webb,Michael McDonald,Brad Paisley,among others.[13][14]
Production
editDuring his career, Nicholson has produced five projects forDelbert McClinton,winning Grammys in the Best Contemporary Blues category for the albums "Nothing Personal" in 2001[15]and "Cost of Living" in 2005.[16]Nicholson has also produced forBilly Joe Shaver,The Judds,Wynonna,Pam Tillis,T. Graham Brownand Marcia Ball.[17]
Awards and recognition
editHe was nominated to theNashville Songwriters Hall of Famein 2006 and inducted into Texas Heritage Songwriter's Association Hall of Fame in 2011. He has received ASCAP Awards for the songs, "Giving Water to a Drowning Man" and "A Thousand Times a Day".[17]
Personal life
editOn June 30, 1973, Nicholson married Barbara Ellendorff. He is from Garland, Texas and has lived in Nashville, Tennessee since 1980.[18]
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Uncle Jim's Music –Uncle Jim | Kapp Records |
| 1972 | Uncle Jim's Music –There's A Song in This | Kapp Records |
| 2000 | Gary Nicholson –The Sky Is Not the Limit | Ardeo Records |
| 2000 | Fortunate Sons –Fortunate Sons | Fortune Records |
| 2008 | Whitey Johnson –Whitey Johnson | Slow Moving Records |
| 2010 | Gary Nicholson –Nashville Songbook | Four Sons Recordings |
| 2011 | Gary Nicholson –Texas Songbook[12] | Bismeaux Records |
Songs in film
edit| Film | Song | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Cowboy | "Jukebox Argument" | Mickey Gilley[19] |
| Message in a Bottle | "Beyond The Blue" | Beth Nielsen Chapman[19] |
| Happy Texas | "Are You Happy Baby" | Lee Roy Parnell[19] |
| Where the Heart Is | "Beyond The Blue" | Emmylou Harris/Patty Griffin[19] |
| Crazy Heart | "Fallin and Flyin" | Jeff Bridges[20] |
References
edit- ^"Gary Nicholson | The Sky Is Not The Limit | CD Baby Music Store".Cdbaby.RetrievedJune 19,2013.
- ^"TAXI A&R Interview: Gary Nicholson, Songwriting Producer".Archived fromthe originalon January 5, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 6,2015.
- ^"Awards Nominations & Winners".Grammy.April 30, 2017.RetrievedMay 9,2021.
- ^abcd"Gary Nicholson".AllMusic.RetrievedNovember 21,2015.
- ^Tarradell, Mario (June 29, 2011)."Spotlight on Texas Artists: Gary Nicholson, Greezy Wheels and Bigelow Station".The Dallas Morning News.RetrievedNovember 21,2015.
- ^abc"Bio".Gary Nicholson.RetrievedNovember 21,2015.
- ^"Songwriter Gary Nicholson enjoys best of both worlds » GoMemphis".Archived fromthe originalon September 14, 2011.RetrievedApril 1,2014.
- ^Interviewed by Michael Laskow."TAXI A&R Interview: Gary Nicholson, Songwriting Producer".Taxi. Archived fromthe originalon January 5, 2015.RetrievedJune 19,2013.
- ^Gary Nicholson."Gary Nicholson – Music Biography, Credits and Discography".AllMusic.RetrievedJune 19,2013.
- ^ab"Gary Nicholson".Nashville Songwriters Association International. November 29, 2014.RetrievedNovember 21,2015.
- ^Stutz, Colin (December 29, 2014)."Ringo Starr Announces New Album, Tour for Spring 2015".Billboard.RetrievedNovember 21,2015.
- ^ab"The No Surf Review: Gary Nicholson – Texas Songbook".Nosurfmusic.RetrievedMay 9,2021.
- ^"Songwriter Gary Nicholson enjoys best of both worlds".GoMemphis. August 25, 2011.RetrievedJune 19,2013.
- ^Steve Leggett."Seth Walker | Biography".AllMusic.RetrievedMarch 22,2014.
- ^Dexter, Kerry (March 6, 2001)."Delbert McClinton's Nothing Personal Actually Is".MTV. Archived fromthe originalon November 27, 2015.RetrievedNovember 21,2015.
- ^Collette, Doug (October 6, 2005)."Delbert McClinton: Delbert McClinton: Cost Of Living (2005)".All About Jazz.RetrievedNovember 21,2015.
- ^ab"Gary Nicholson | The John Jarrard Foundation".Archived fromthe originalon January 18, 2015.RetrievedMay 9,2021.
- ^Tolbert, Gary (July 17, 1973)."Gary Nicholsons live in Van Nuys".The Garland Daily News.RetrievedNovember 21,2015.
- ^abcd"Gary Nicholson – Biography".Yamaha Artists.RetrievedNovember 21,2015.
- ^Kurutz, Steven (February 6, 2010).""Crazy Heart" Controversy Over Soundtrack Credit ".Speakeasy.The Wall Street Journal.RetrievedNovember 21,2015.