Johnny Nicholas Band Featuring Cindy Cashdollar at The Kate

Old Saybrook, CT – This Friday, April 26 The Kate in Old Saybrook will transform into a Texas dancehall. I spent some time living in and touring through Texas and I can attest to the fact that Johnny Nicholas with guests Cindy Cashdollar and Scrappy Jud Newcomb offers music fans a unique opportunity to experience a level musicianship that has all but vanished save for a select few acts. Both Johnny and Cindy spent time in Asleep at the Wheel under the direction of the legendary Ray Benson. Outfits like Asleep at the Wheel and Johnny Nicholas’ band are able to work across all American genres including blues, jazz, folk, bluegrass, polka, Tejano, zydeco, rockabilly and country. Johnny Nicholas has spent the better part of forty years living and gigging in Texas which qualifies him as one of the few Texas dance hall masters performing today. Nicholas & Cashdollar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI248hA-uxw

Tix here: https://katharinehepburntheater.secure.force.com/ticket/#sections_a0F6100000NgvbbEAB

Johnny Nicholas is a native of Rhode Island and like many of his Rhode Island contemporaries that spent time in Roomful of Blues he cut his teeth on the blues circuit. Nicholas backed Howlin’ Wolf, Big Walter Horton, Robert Jr. Lockwood and mentored a young Ronnie Earl. Eventually, Johnny was drawn to Austin, Texas and the scene down at Antone’s, the premiere club in the U.S. where blues legends and upcoming artists freely shared the stage. Ultimately, Commander Cody connected Johnny to the guys in Asleep at the Wheel. The Western Swing material took hold of Johnny and a life-long journey leading to the pantheon of American musical masters was his destination.

Cindy Cashdollar also did a stint in Asleep at the Wheel where she earned five Grammys. Cashdollar resides in Woodstock, NY near many other great artists. Cindy spent time working with Levon Helm, her former neighbor, as well as artists associated to The Band like Van Morrison and Bob Dylan. Cashdollar has been inducted into the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame due to her unparalleled prowess on her instrument. She has even been called upon by Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton to lend her talents on the lap steel!

There’s no doubt that folks will be dancing in the aisles of The Kate this Friday night, but attendance comes with a warning. Hold your lady friend close on that dance floor else she may drift in the direction of guitarist and mandolin player, Scrappy Jud Newcomb. Scrappy looks like the Marlboro Man and he is infinitely talented as a versatile sideman. Doors are at 7 PM and the show starts at 8 PM.

http://johnnynicholasblues.com/

http://cindycashdollar.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNgazmT9CVE

Mr. Carty produced and hosted blues, jazz and American roots radio shows in Boston and Pittsburgh. He booked legendary acts such as Jay Geils, Big Jack Johnson, Alvin "Youngblood" Hart, Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin to name a few. As a concert producer he has worked with members of the Allman Brothers, Guns and Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bad Company, Chuck Berry, Alice Cooper, Kiss and many others. Jim was proudly tapped as the host of the Centennial Celebration of the Blues at Tanglewood. He spent several years as an Old Lyme resident in his youth and he has recently returned home to the Connecticut Shoreline. Contact at: jcbc93@gmail.com