Nicholas Barron is a Musician's musician and a genuine American artist . He's a songwriter, a guitarist, singer, and painter.
He is one of the most powerful Solo artist's on Earth at once combining fierce Acoustic guitar playing with flowing bass and big open tunings-whistling impressive Solo's, and using his signature mouth percussion,and on top of that singing in a voice that is at once Otis Redding old school and fresh and unique in a future Blues kind of way.
Nicholas began his career in Europe as a busker in 1986 and ended up in Chicago where he founded C.A.S.A.(The coalition for the advancedment of street art) when the city was trying to ban Street performers. He and his fellow buskers won the right to perform on the street and in the subway.
He has had a couple of well known Chicago based bands including MIND THE GAP with Guitar virtuoso Fareed Haque (currently with Garaj Mahal) and SWIMMER (with FILTER drummer Steve Gillis). Swimmer put out 2 records that we're both called "the best of Chicago" on Richard Milne's weekly Chicago radio show called Local anesthetic on 93.1 WXRT.
Nicholas has been making his living for almost 25 years playing both his original songs, interpreting Classic American Soul-Jazz-Rock and Blues, and singing Commercial Jingles as well as doing national voice over spots.
He has been told quite often that he has a unique and original voice and style.
Since 2004-he has been busy recording records for CANDYRAT RECORDS(CANDYRAT.COM). He also did an unreleased CD with Los Angeles producer/mixer Dave Way that featured the MEMPHIS HORNS (Al Green,Otis Redding,Aretha franklin,Percy Sledge and many many more Stax artists!) and in January 2007 JAMES TAYLOR called him "undeniable" when he introduced him as the launch artist for The NY Times Emerging artists series at Joe's pub in NYC.
Nicholas recently recorded the John Martyn song "Angeline" for the John Martyn tribute record that will be released in the Fall of 2010. It was produced by the great Jim Tullio, John's long time producer and will also have artists like Cat Stevens, Richard Thompson, Beck, The Cure and many others!
Nicholas has at once ridden way under the radar-similar to his hero John Martyn in many ways in that he has never compromised and always been uniquely himself in every possible way and at times also received much notoriety and public respect for his talent.
Like his own father, William Barron, a fine art Painter, who has always done his work regardless of money or fame, Nicholas has listened to his muse and continues to love the cleansing affects of pure expression in whatever form it may take at the moment.
OPENED FOR: Al Green, BB King, Johnny Cash, Joan Armatrading, Nelly Furtado, Neville Brothers, G. Love, Doobie Brothers, Subdudes, Maceo Parker, War, The Meters, , Groove Collective, Average White Band, Tuck and patti, Michael Bolton, Charlie Hunter, Karl denson, John Martyn and more!
VENUES: Elbo Room, Martyr's, Tiny Lounge, Long Room, House of Blues, Metro, Navy Pier, Blue Room and many more. On the streets of Chicago, London, Paris, Boston.
ACCOLADES: "Undeniable"- James Taylor's introduction of Nicholas as the launch artist for New York Times emerging artistes series in New York, Founder of CASA (Coalition for the advancement of street art), "Top ten artist to watch in Midwest"- Playboy, "The best of the next generation of great Soul singers and great songwriters"- Wayne Jackson of the Memphis Horns (played with Al Green, Arthan Franklin, Otis Redding), All CD's named "Best of Chicago" by Richard Milne of Chicago radio station XRT, Featured on "Best of XRT"
