GRAMMY nominee and multiple IBMA Award recipient Darren Nicholson is set to perform at Highlands Performing Arts Center on Saturday, September 28 - along with his band and a special guest.
Darren Nicholson, who has played mountain music since his youth in Western North Carolina, is a high-caliber musician with substantial contributions to such acts as Alecia Nugent and Balsam Range. Yes, he’s a punchy mandolinist with instrumentation nods to Bill Monroe and Marty Stuart, but he’s also an introspective songwriter, technical harmony singer, convincing lead vocalist, and a man on a mission. Since going solo, Nicholson has persistently and earnestly invested in his shows, making each one a tailored experience.
Darren’s latest album, Wanderer, garnered critical acclaim and produced two #1 singles. He is now working on a new album of original music. Two singles from this upcoming new release have already hit #1 as well, including “Big Sky,” Darren’s true tale of explorer John Colter.
Nicholson, a GRAMMY-nominee, is the recipient of 13 International Bluegrass Music Association awards, along with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor bestowed by North Carolina’s governor. While touring, Nicholson is joined by Kevin Sluder on bass and vocals, Richard Foulk on percussion, and the band’s two newest members, guitarist Avery Welter and two-time Grand Master Fiddle Champion Aynsley Porchak.
Six-time IBMA Banjo Player of the Year Kristin Scott Benson will also join the band for this special performance. Since 2008, Kristin has been a member of Grammy-nominated and two-time IBMA Entertainers of the Year, The Grascals. Kristin is one of the nation's top bluegrass banjo players, exhibiting impeccable taste, timing, and tone. With an attentive ear to back-up, she is known and respected as a true team player among her peers.
As part of the Grascals, Kristin’s media performances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Fox & Friends, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and CBS’ The Talk, among others. The band has also performed for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as accumulating nearly 200 performances on The Grand Ole Opry.
“She’s as good as it gets on the five-string banjo,” says Darren. “It’s going to be a great night of music - come out and be with us!”
Tickets for Darren Nicholson Band at Highlands Performing Arts Center are on sale now.