Drew Nelson

There are at least two artists on last.fm by the name Drew Nelson:

1. Drew Nelson (Canada):
The leader of an award-winning Canadian blues band, the guitarist, singer/songwriter Drew Nelson has left his mark on the Canadian music scene. In his early teens he developed a passion for the country blues of the Mississippi Delta and the hard electric blues sounds from Chicago as played by the masters, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Little Walter, et al.

Beginning with initial inspiration in the 1960's from the Beatles, Nelson joined the important list of instrumental talents who purchased their first guitar with the proceeds from a paper route. At 14 he was fortunate to have a guitar teacher who wrapped his hands around slide guitar as well as chord voicings from the jazz crusade rather than the British Invasion. Not to neglect musical influences from the latter category however, it was Nelson's fondness for the Rolling Stones that inevitably nurtured his devotion to the Chicago blues style.

By 16 he was performing professionally and in 1980 co-founded a group called the Back Alley John Revue in reference to a harmonica frontman who used the stage name Back Alley John. This outfit toured Canada extensively and at one point featured 16 year-old singer/guitarist, Sue Foley

The Drew Nelson Band was formed in 1989 and began touring throughout Canada, scoring a Juno Award (Canada's Grammy) for the song "Nothin' to Show" in 1991. Nelson's band has also toured as an accompanying outfit for Canada's iconic blues pioneer Dutch Mason. Material written by Nelson for these collaborations has come up for further awards, been included in anniversary compilations of the excellent Edmonton Stony Plain label, and been featured on film soundtracks and television including the series "DaVinci's Inquest". Nelson and his group have often opened for or backed blues headliners such as B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Stevie Ray Vaughan and many others. Drew Nelson's official home page is located at: http://DrewNelson.Ca

2. Drew Nelson (Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA):
"Drew Nelson’s songs are facile in poetry, tactile in tone. They’re simple, direct expressions via mere melody and a mittful of guitar chords. Such is Drew’s gift – the ability to extract spirit and soul from the jumble of modern life, and turn it into music. His first full-length album, “Immigrant Son,” doesn’t convey a black-and-white world of joy and anger, but rather, a colorful mélange of complex emotions expressed in blues, grays, greens and browns. “Immigrant Son” is the culmination of Drew’s unique artistic efforts, a balance of his worldliness and small-town-America sensibilities. As a kid, he quietly rebelled against the strict, religious confines of his home by secretly listening to rock radio. He overcame his band teacher’s humbling criticism of his drumming skills by teaching himself to play guitar. He escaped the quiet quaintness of his modest, conservative West Michigan hometown by joining the Navy and traveling to far corners of the world with his guitar on his back. His itinerant lifestyle filled his notebook with ideas, and upon returning home, he found his voice in the small struggles and triumphs of daily life. Drew shared his passion with audiences in clubs and coffeehouses, and released debut EP “Recovering Angels” in 2001. His songs made a mark in his home state, attracting listeners with his word paintings, his humble insights, his unpretentious singing, his thoughtful strumming, and, most importantly, his honesty. Drew’s focus and dedication to his art brought him to Alaska, through Texas, to the Kerrville Folk Festival, to 18,000 fans at the Muskegon Summer Celebration (opening for Melissa Etheridge), to the recognition of the New Folk Contest for Emerging Songwriters, where he was a finalist. And now, to “Immigrant Son,” the product of two years of writing and three weeks in the studio with longtime friend and noted West Michigan producer and engineer Michael Crittenden. Although embellished by colorful instrumental textures (including fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle and, yes, a jangly cat toy), the record adheres to Drew’s man-with-a-guitar ethic. That sensibility guided the arrangements, from the blast of out-of-doors smell of fresh air that is opening track “Lovely Day,” through the boggy blues of “Wal-Mart v2.0,” the roots-shuffle of “Brand New Way” and a plaintive cover of Richard Shindell’s road song “Next Best Western.” The homespun heartache of “Breathe” and the gritty urbanite observations of “Wealthy St.” are thoughtful portraits, key developments in his evolution as a songwriter and storyteller. It’s rare to hear songs which cut through the noisy, distracting chaff of the day – and therein lays the promise of “Immigrant Son.” “The need for love, hope and acceptance are all interwoven into the fabric of our humanity,” Drew explains. “I want to touch that secret place in my songs.” Drew Nelson's official home page is located at: http://www.DrewNelson.net; also http://www.myspace.com/drewnelsonmusic