About Johnny Nicholas

Johnny Nicholas has spent a lifetime soaking up the flavor of such vibrant music scenes as Chicago, Southwest Louisiana, and Texas (which he’s called home now for 45 years). While he is primarily thought of as a blues legend and gifted storyteller, his music is full-spectrum Americana — a rich gumbo of blues, Southwest Louisiana soul and Texas swing and honky tonk. His 2018 release “Too Many Bad Habits” reissue project and double vinyl package received a 2019 Grammy Nomination.

“My friend Johnny Nicholas writes and sings from way down inside, and plays every instrument with grit and grace. His talent is deep and wide, like his soul and his heart. And he has some songs that slay me. Just slay me.”

– Walt Wilkins 2016 –

Tour Dates

“Johnny learned from some of the same guys I did
and he sings and plays the real down home blues!”

– BB KING, 1976 –

Latest News

Johnny Nicholas Presents ‘Moon and the Stars: A Tribute to Moon Mullican’ / American Blues Scene

The expressive new renditions of his songs on this tribute pulse with the same passion and artistic commitment that Mullican […]

Mistaken Identity Now Available

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=355&v=kjmuTnFt5hI&feature=emb_logo  

Rock & Blues Muse Review: Mistaken Identity

By Chris Wheatley Eight (studio) albums into a successful solo career, former Asleep At The Wheel frontman, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, […]

Johnny Nicholas & The Dragon Jazz Band

Check out this great video of our work earlier this year with the Honokaa High School Dragon Jazz Band in […]

Juneteenth – Always a Day of Celebration

It’s Juneteenth—always a day of celebration in Texas and soon to be a national holiday(about time) across our great nation. […]

MAY 24TH, 2020 – HILL TOP CAFE’S GOSPEL BRUNCH LIVESTREAM

S Rewatch the livestream for Sunday, May 24th below! Featuring the music and history of Left Frizzell, and the talents […]

MAY 17TH, 2020 – HILL TOP CAFE’S GOSPEL BRUNCH LIVESTREAM: FEATURING THE SONGS OF PAPPA LINK DAVIS

Johnny Nicholas, Katie Shore and Dick Gimble will be kicking it off this week’s Gospel Brunch with the music of […]

Johnny Nicholas Introduces the Hill Top Cafe’s Gospel Brunch Livestream Concert Series!

Join Johnny Nicholas and Katie Shore every Sunday for a very special livestream music series of the Hill Top Cafe’s Gospel Brunch – […]

Blues and Rhythm Magazine Honors Johnny Nicholas

I’m honored to be included on the cover of upcoming issue of Blues and Rhythm Magazine – a fantastic publication […]

Introducing Jileen and Richard Russell of Pu’U O Kumau Ranch 

I’m very pleased to introduce Jileen and Richard Russell of Puu o Kumau Ranch in North Kohala, near Hawi on […]

Johnny Nicholas Heads to Hawaii

January 20th, 2020 I’m headed overseas today to beautiful Hawaii! Visiting the Aloha State is always gratifying and rewarding both […]

Congratulations to Weird Al Yankovic!

  Dear friends, The Grammy nomination of my Too Many Bad Habits limited edition box set package has been quite a thrilling […]

Johnny Nicholas Tours with the Dragon Jazz Band

I performed with so many talented students in the Honokaa High School Jazz Band while on tour in Hawaii. Here [...]

‘Too Many Bad Habits’ Grammy Nomination

I’m excited to announce that my Too Many Bad Habits box set re-release has been nominated for the 2019 Grammy Awards in […]

Alex Steinweiss ‘Best of Show’ Award

October has already been off to a great start with our winning an Alex Steinweiss ‘Best of Show’ Award for […]

‘Too Many Bad Habits’ Box Set Re-Release Now Available

I’m excited to announce that the highly anticipated double vinyl, tri-fold Too Many Bad Habits re-issue project is now available! The packaging […]

NPR: Both The Food And The Music Are Made From Scratch At This Texas Joint

In the middle of the Texas Hill Country, where barbecue brisket is king, a dinner crowd is throwing back crabcakes, […]

AUSTIN CHRONICLE: Rembitika

Call it what you want, but to Johnny Nicholas it’s the blues BY MARGARET MOSER, FRI., JULY 20, 2012 Johnny […]

AUSTIN 360: Johnny Nicholas comes down from the Hill Country with a new album of blues

Head north out of Fredericksburg on U.S. 87, and just about the time you reckon you’re lost, you’ll find the […]

MUSIC RELEASE – FUTURE BLUES

On July 12, The People’s Label released the latest CD by renowned Texas musician, Johnny Nicholas. While Nicholas’ new album […]

“Guitar Johnny Nicholas is a bad mother______!”

– Jimmie Vaughan –

Moon and The Stars

A Tribute to Moon Mullican

Now Available

Chances are, if you haven’t heard of Moon Mullican, you’ve either heard his music or felt his influence. Revered for perfecting a wildly eclectic yet seamlessly organic blend of genres, Aubrey “Moon” Mullican (1909 – 1967) was an agile piano player and a fervent singer who described the rambunctious side of his hybrid repertoire as “East Texas sock” that could “make goddamn beer bottles jump on the tables!”

This brand new tribute to Moon comes straight from the Texas hill country, presented by Valcour Records’ recording artist and former Asleep at the Wheel frontman Johnny Nicholas with an all-star cast paying homage to this rather unsung hero of American Roots music.

Mistaken Identity / 2020

Although the artistic career of former Asleep at the Wheel frontman Johnny Nicholas’ is well documented, his connection with South […]

Too Many Bad Habits

Heralded Austin-based blues/roots musician and songwriter Johnny Nicholas has reissued his long out-of-print 1977 album, Too Many Bad Habits, along […]

Fresh Air

Future Blues / 2012

Track Listing Hey, Hey Hell Bent Don’t Say I Never Told You So Hard Time Livin’ Roads On Fire Mister […]

Texas All Star: Big Band Bash / 2006

Track Listing Broke Again Baby I’m Gone Ironic Twist Down In The Alley Don’t Mean A Think If It Ain’t […]

Livin’ with the Blues / 2005

Track Listing Froggy Bottom Hill Top You Can’t Be Lucky All The Time I’ll Be Around Dirty People Teardrops On […]

Rockin’ My Blues to Sleep / 2001

Track List Rockin’ My Blues To Sleep Rain Down Tears The Last Meal I’m A Fool To Care Where You […]

Thrill on the Hill / 1994

Track List Kind Hearted Woman House Cleaning Blues My Rice Ain’t Got No Gravy Prince Charming Blue & Lonesome Mandolin […]

“Johnny Nicholas is one of the best bluesmen ever, black or white.”

– Stephen Bruton –

Contact

Booking

Deb Fleming
johnny.nicholas.biz@gmail.com 

Press

Heidi Labensart
heidi@mcguckinpr.com

General Inquiries

johnnynicholasmusic@gmail.com 

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