WHITEY JOHNSON
WHITEY JOHNSON UNEARTHS A NIGHT IN NASHVILLE WITH LIVE FROM PRINTERS’ ALLEY
Previously unreleased 2016 performance captures Gary Nicholson’s blues alter ego alongside Colin Linden,Reese Wynans, Mike Joyce and Lynn Williams
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Hit songwriter, Grammy-winning producer and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Gary Nicholson steps back into the shoes of his blues alter ego, Whitey Johnson, with the release of Whitey Johnson — Live From Printers’ Alley, an 11-song live album recorded nearly a decade ago in the heart of downtown Nashville.
Recorded October 7, 2016, at Bourbon Street Blues Bar in Nashville’s historic Printers Alley, the album captures Whitey Johnson and an extraordinary band in their natural habitat—onstage, playing the blues with the spontaneity, humor and energy of a great night in a great room.
Joining Nicholson on guitar and vocals are Colin Linden on guitar, Reese Wynans on Hammond B3 organ and piano, Mike Joyce on bass and Lynn Williams on drums.
The Whitey Johnson persona is Nicholson’s affectionate nod to an actual guitarist from his hometown of Garland, Texas, and gives the celebrated songwriter and producer an outlet for his lifelong love of blues, R&B and roots music.
Nicholson’s own résumé spans decades. A No. 1 hit songwriter, two-time Grammy-winning producer, recording artist, session guitarist and world-traveling performer, he is an inductee of both the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame. His songs have been recorded by an extraordinary range of artists, including Ringo Starr, B.B. King, Willie Nelson and many others.
Live From Printers’ Alley draws heavily from Nicholson’s deep catalog of blues and roots songs, including collaborations with Delbert McClinton, Benmont Tench, Dan Penn, Donnie Fritts, Buddy Guy, Tom Hambridge, Kim Wilson, Seth Walker and John Hadley.
Among the album’s 11 tracks are “Livin’ It Down,” “Devil Goin’ Fishin’,” “Lie No Better,” “Memphis Women and Chicken,” “Same Kind of Crazy,” “Skin Deep,” “Use The Blues,” “Blues in Black and White,” “Monkey Around,” “More Days Like This” and “Brilliant Conversationalist.”