Cybergrass Bluegrass Music News: Michelle Nixon & Drive Making Their Marks on the Charts

BMNN wrote: on Sep. 11, 2005:
Michelle Nixon & Drive's latest Pinecastle release, What More Should I Say is getting noticed after the album debuted at #46 on the September Billboard Bluegrass music chart following their #34 debut on the Roots Music Chart and a #36 debut on Orien Friesen's Top 40 Bluegrass Album chart in July.

Michelle Nixon is no stranger to the stage when it comes to soulful singing. Born Michelle Denice Thurston, the Virginia native grew up surrounded by music. At an early age she began singing in church and hasn't stopped since. Nixon joined her first band at the age of 14, embarking on a musical journey that found her singing a variety of gospel and classic country music with different Virginia-based bands. Gathering inspiration and style from, among others, Loretta Lynn and Emmylou Harris, Nixon quickly developed her own powerful sound.

In 1990 and 1991 Nixon won Female Vocalist of Virginia. In 1992 Nixon was invited to cut some harmony vocals on bluegrass artist/songwriter Malcolm Pulley's, then, latest project; this led to Nixon's love of bluegrass music. Through the work on Pulley's project, Nixon met her good friend and former band mate Vernon Hughes and quickly made her home in the wonderful world of bluegrass.

In the late ‘90s Nixon began focusing on her love of writing songs, three of which appear on her breakout bluegrass album It's My Turn (released in 2003). Nixon also began focusing on her instrumentation skills, playing a variety of instruments including piano and upright bass.

In 2002 Nixon formed her band "Drive" and set out to make a lasting impression on the bluegrass world. In 2004 Nixon received the nomination from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) for Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional) while she and Drive were nominated for Song of the Year with their Top 10 charting single "Harlan."

In the spring of 2004 Nixon met Grand Ole Opry Star Bill Anderson, one of the songwriters on her It's My Turn project. In the fall, 2004, Nixon went back into the studio with Drive to record her next CD and invited Anderson to cut a duet. The project, co produced by Mike Toppins (Anderson, Pam Tillis) includes the Nixon/Anderson duet as well as songs written by Nixon, Anderson, Patrick Robertson and Tom T. and Dixie Hall, among others.

Nixon's love of music pales only in comparison to her love of God and family. Raised in a Christian home, Nixon developed a strong faith and to this day finds both peace and strength in God and His creation. Whenever graced with a window of opportunity, Nixon opens it and takes to the outdoors. She lists camping, fishing and gardening among her favorite things to do. Nixon does very well to juggle her blossoming tour schedule and her busy family life. Her husband Nick Nixon (country performer/songwriter) and three children, Tia, Chip and Trace, all play a major part in Nixon's continued success.

Seed Newsvine

Copyright 1992-2010 by CYBERGRASS® CYBERGRASS® is a Registered Trademark. All use and rights are reserved. No part of this site may be copied or reproduced in whole or in part without express written authorization from CYBERGRASS®. Derivitive works prohibited.