Johnny Nicholas has spent more than five decades living the blues. A consummate songwriter, singer and multi instrumentalist, he learned firsthand from masters including Big Walter Horton and Johnny Shines, developing a sound enriched by Texas swing and South Louisiana traditions. His recordings include the Grammy nominated Too Many Bad Habits box set and his performance with Jimmie Vaughan on A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, honoring Clifton Chenier, which won the 2026 Grammy for Best Regional Roots Music Album.
“Johnny learned from some of the same guys I did
and he sings and plays the real down home blues!”
– BB KING, 1976 –
“Johnny Nicholas is one of the best bluesmen ever, black or white.”
– Stephen Bruton –
Johnny Nicholas Presents ‘Moon and the Stars: A Tribute to Moon Mullican’ / American Blues Scene
The expressive new renditions of his songs on this tribute pulse with the same passion and artistic commitment that Mullican […]
Mistaken Identity Now Available
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=355&v=kjmuTnFt5hI&feature=emb_logo
Rock & Blues Muse Review: Mistaken Identity
By Chris Wheatley Eight (studio) albums into a successful solo career, former Asleep At The Wheel frontman, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, […]
Johnny Nicholas & The Dragon Jazz Band
Check out this great video of our work earlier this year with the Honokaa High School Dragon Jazz Band in […]
Juneteenth – Always a Day of Celebration
It’s Juneteenth—always a day of celebration in Texas and soon to be a national holiday(about time) across our great nation. […]
MAY 24TH, 2020 – HILL TOP CAFE’S GOSPEL BRUNCH LIVESTREAM
S Rewatch the livestream for Sunday, May 24th below! Featuring the music and history of Left Frizzell, and the talents […]
MAY 17TH, 2020 – HILL TOP CAFE’S GOSPEL BRUNCH LIVESTREAM: FEATURING THE SONGS OF PAPPA LINK DAVIS
Johnny Nicholas, Katie Shore and Dick Gimble will be kicking it off this week’s Gospel Brunch with the music of […]
Johnny Nicholas Introduces the Hill Top Cafe’s Gospel Brunch Livestream Concert Series!
Join Johnny Nicholas and Katie Shore every Sunday for a very special livestream music series of the Hill Top Cafe’s Gospel Brunch – […]
Blues and Rhythm Magazine Honors Johnny Nicholas
I’m honored to be included on the cover of upcoming issue of Blues and Rhythm Magazine – a fantastic publication […]
Introducing Jileen and Richard Russell of Pu’U O Kumau Ranch
I’m very pleased to introduce Jileen and Richard Russell of Puu o Kumau Ranch in North Kohala, near Hawi on […]
Johnny Nicholas Heads to Hawaii
January 20th, 2020 I’m headed overseas today to beautiful Hawaii! Visiting the Aloha State is always gratifying and rewarding both […]
Congratulations to Weird Al Yankovic!
Dear friends, The Grammy nomination of my Too Many Bad Habits limited edition box set package has been quite a thrilling […]
Johnny Nicholas Tours with the Dragon Jazz Band
I performed with so many talented students in the Honokaa High School Jazz Band while on tour in Hawaii. Here [...]
‘Too Many Bad Habits’ Grammy Nomination
I’m excited to announce that my Too Many Bad Habits box set re-release has been nominated for the 2019 Grammy Awards in […]
Alex Steinweiss ‘Best of Show’ Award
October has already been off to a great start with our winning an Alex Steinweiss ‘Best of Show’ Award for […]
‘Too Many Bad Habits’ Box Set Re-Release Now Available
I’m excited to announce that the highly anticipated double vinyl, tri-fold Too Many Bad Habits re-issue project is now available! The packaging […]
NPR: Both The Food And The Music Are Made From Scratch At This Texas Joint
In the middle of the Texas Hill Country, where barbecue brisket is king, a dinner crowd is throwing back crabcakes, […]
AUSTIN CHRONICLE: Rembitika
Call it what you want, but to Johnny Nicholas it’s the blues BY MARGARET MOSER, FRI., JULY 20, 2012 Johnny […]
AUSTIN 360: Johnny Nicholas comes down from the Hill Country with a new album of blues
Head north out of Fredericksburg on U.S. 87, and just about the time you reckon you’re lost, you’ll find the […]
MUSIC RELEASE – FUTURE BLUES
On July 12, The People’s Label released the latest CD by renowned Texas musician, Johnny Nicholas. While Nicholas’ new album […]
“Guitar Johnny Nicholas is a bad mother______!”
– Jimmie Vaughan –
A Tribute to Clifton Chenier
Clifton Chenier brought the soul of the blues to the dance floors of Louisiana and carried zydeco to audiences around the world. His accordion, unmistakable voice and powerhouse band helped shape American roots music and left a lasting impression on the musicians who heard him. For Johnny Nicholas and Jimmie Vaughan, those memories run deep, back to the seventies when Chenier and his band regularly lit up the stage at Antone’s in Austin.
On A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, Johnny and Jimmie honor their longtime musical hero with “My Soul,” a Chenier blues composition chosen by Vaughan. Invited to participate by Valcour Records’ Joel Savoy, they join Taj Mahal, CJ Chenier, Lucinda Williams, Augie Meyers, the Rolling Stones and others in celebrating Chenier’s enduring legacy. The album received the Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album in February 2026.
Road to Eunice / 2023
Track Listing 1. Road to Eunice 2. Nobody’s Fault But Mine 3. Time Will Tell If You Love Me 4. […]
Mistaken Identity / 2020
Although the artistic career of former Asleep at the Wheel frontman Johnny Nicholas’ is well documented, his connection with South […]
Too Many Bad Habits
Heralded Austin-based blues/roots musician and songwriter Johnny Nicholas has reissued his long out-of-print 1977 album, Too Many Bad Habits, along […]
Future Blues / 2012
Track Listing Hey, Hey Hell Bent Don’t Say I Never Told You So Hard Time Livin’ Roads On Fire Mister […]
Texas All Star: Big Band Bash / 2006
Track Listing Broke Again Baby I’m Gone Ironic Twist Down In The Alley Don’t Mean A Think If It Ain’t […]
Livin’ with the Blues / 2005
Track Listing Froggy Bottom Hill Top You Can’t Be Lucky All The Time I’ll Be Around Dirty People Teardrops On […]
Rockin’ My Blues to Sleep / 2001
Track List Rockin’ My Blues To Sleep Rain Down Tears The Last Meal I’m A Fool To Care Where You […]
“My friend Johnny Nicholas writes and sings from way down inside, and plays every instrument with grit and grace. His talent is deep and wide, like his soul and his heart. And he has some songs that slay me. Just slay me.”
– Walt Wilkins 2016 –
Sign up today, and never miss a show in your area. We promise not to share your email address with hackers, or fill your inbox with nonsense… but we will keep you up to date on where we’re playing!