A LOT has been going on the past 10 months. Not even sure where to start.
Harry and I have taken the Counterpoint Project and used it as an agency for our projects we do together. This does NOT include The Big Harry Blues Band, but does cover our duo, Harry & Nic and our trio, Triplicate. The duo is getting some work and the trio is just getting off the ground. Look for that very soon!
The Big Harry Blues Band is now either a 4, 5 or 6 piece group, depending on the venue. Most of the time are a five piece as we have added Verlan Penn on keyboards. Wow, what a huge difference it has made! When we go six piece, it also includes Sabrina Mann on vocals. The band has really become a powerhouse.
I have been sitting in at jams and have really been fortunate to play with a LOT of great musicians. Recently I was at a blues jam hosted by Mike Babb of The Mix at Terry’s Bar & Grill in Topeka and man has it sparked some hidden intensity in me! Mainly, my desire to perform again with my buddy Mickey Munoz.
This has led to a revival of The Hoodoo Brothers. I was originally going to play bass and we brought Sabrina in to sing most of the vocals, but various factors have led me back to playing guitar again. We found a bass player (as of this post we think) and it will be interesting to see where the Brothers go!
I also have found that, playing with Mickey, my intensity boils over when we play together. So I decided I am forming a power trio called The Nic Olas Band that will be me, him and a bassist TBD. I’m looking forward to this. Raw energy and vibe. I think it’s going to become something bigger than maybe even some of the other projects I’m in.
I am also on the board of the Topeka Blues Society now and have been involved with trying to resuscitate the blues in Topeka. Founder Suki Blakely passed away and there has been a void left with her passing. The TBS has a entirely new board (my buddy Josh Vowell, another local blues musician, is President now) and we have huge shoes to fill. Time will tell if we can turn things around and bring life back into the organization.
Anyway, I’m sure I forgot something that has happened the last ten months, but there you have what my old brain can remember!