Gary Nicholson - Common Sense

(Qualified Records, 2024)

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“If there is a MVP in Nashville for the past handful of decades, it has to be Gary Nicholson.The man’s new album, aptly called COMMON SENSE, is so strong and compelling that it feels like an all-time accomplishment, even with the knowledge that the next release could best even this latest one. That’s because this is a musician who really does live in the now."

 - Bill Bentley / Bentley's Bandstand, Americana Highways

 

 After a lifetime of contribution to American culture through music making, Gary Nicholson has focused on addressing the current polarity in politics with the release of Common Sense," a 12-song collection that speaks to those divisions with hope and humor.  After coming of age in the turbulent 60s and experiencing the healing power of music to unite,  Nicholson aspires to serve as well as entertain.

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Personnel:

• Gary Nicholson - vocals, acoustic and electric guitar​​​​​​​​

• Kevin McKendree - piano and organ, electric guitar

• Jim Hoke - harmonica, dobro, sasophones, steel guitar, acoustic guitar

• James Pennebaker - electric guitars, acoustic guitars

• Lynn Williams - drums 

• Mike Joyce - bass

• Harry Stinson - drums

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Guests:

• Rick Vito - Slide, electric, 12-string guitar

• Anson Funderburgh - electric guitar

• Yates McKendree - electric guitar solo on track 8

• Colin Linden - acoustic guitar

• The McCrary Sisters - backing vocals

• Chris Carmichael - all strings and arrangements

• Luke Bulla - fiddle and mandolin 

• Richard Bailey - banjo

• David Santos - acoustic bass

• Kenneth Blevins - drums

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Photography by Stacie Huckaba

Artwork and design by Travis Nicholson

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Special thanks from Gary to all the musicians and Kevin McKendree and John Heithaus. Deepest love to Barbara Nicholson and Nathan, Travis, Adam and Luke.

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