Gary Nicholson “Whitey Johnson”

Sponsored by Powers Pharmacy

Whitey Johnson is a recently discovered blues singer/songwriter/guitarist from Texas, now living in Tennessee and performing worldwide. There are various sto- ries about Whitey's past, he has made his living making music for well over thirty years, yet has remained relatively unknown, having only recently recorded his de- but album. But one known fact is that under the pseudonym, Gary Nicholson, his songs have been recorded by such blues greats as BB King, Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, Keb Mo, Delbert McClinton, Gatemouth Brown, James Cotton, Junior Wells, Shemekia Copeland, John Mayall and many others. He also won two Grammies as producer of the Best Contemporary Blues Albums. Whitey describes his style as “Feel Better Blues" with songs such as "Use the Blues (to make you feel better)", "Worry Be Gone", "Leap of Faith", and "Better off with the Blues". He learned to play guitar watching Texas legends Freddy King, Lightnin' Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb, and then fell in love with Robert Johnson, Muddy and Wolf and the songs of Willie Dixon. He brings a deep respect for all his heroes to his own style. His band includes Colin Linden, Tom Hambridge, and Dave Roe who all have many credits having worked with artists such as Chuck Berry, Johnny Winter, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Cash, and many others. This gumbo of talented musi- cians combine to bring audiences a show they will not soon forget!

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