Jimmy Nick

Jimmy Nick is an old-fashioned, guitar slinging blues prodigy who spent his teenage years being schooled by legendary bluesmen in the famous Chicago clubs of Kingston Mines, Rosa’s Lounge, and B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted.

Over the last year Jimmy has recorded his first live album for a full house at The Raue Center for the Performing Arts, performed over 200 shows*, advanced to the semifinals at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, as well as headlined at Buddy Guy’s Legends, and B.L.U.E.S on Halstead. Most recently, he was featured on the WGN Morning News.

In addition, Jimmy has opened for the legendary Eddie Shaw, Bobby Rush, Toronzo Canon, Dick Dale, The Mike Wheeler Band and performed at SXSW. Jimmy has sold over 1,500 copies of his 3rd studio album –Rare Breed, which features Eddie Shaw performing with Jimmy on his original blues tune “Greedy Man”.

Jimmy Nick has also shared the stage with John Mayall, Ted Nugent, Samantha Fish, Pat Travers, Savoy Brown, Los Lonely Boys, Gov’t Mule, Kenny Wayne Shepard and more. Jimmy Nick & Don’t Tell Mama continue to be one of the most requested and hard-working bands in the Chicagoland area.

Today Jimmy’s mission is to expose the next generation to the blues. Driven by his motown-tight band, Don’t Tell Mama, featuring saxophone, bass, and drums Jimmy excites crowds with his electrifying guitar work, fresh harp, clever lyrics and animated stage theatrics. His high energy blues and rock-n-roll captivate audiences and forge instant fans.

Wall of Denial

Wall of Denial have been wowing audiences around the Midwest with their Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan since 2011.

Initially, the band started out playing blues standards at parties and clubs, but it was their delivery of the music of Stevie Ray Vaughan that kept pulling the fans in asking for more. It’s no surprise. Lead singer/guitar slinger Gary Stratton had been honing his SRV chops for over 20 years, delivering the goods and special nuances that takes the listener right back to the first time they heard these songs and immediately makes you crave for more. It’s one thing to have the musical chops to play this music. It’s another to combine that with vocals that make your ears do a double take!

​JD Saffire on bass guitar lays down and builds the foundation while Tom Cassady on drums creates the pocket for these songs to really take flight. Bill LeClair on keyboards weaves organ and piano and rounds out the quartet musically adding a touch of Jerry Lee Lewis/Reese Wynans (maybe a little Johnny Carson?) to keep things rolling along to deliver an experience everyone enjoys. Every show has fans new and old saying the same thing. “I close my eyes and I swear, I’m listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan.”

Get your air guitar ready because there’s something for everybody at a Wall of Denial show.

​Come to a show and listen for yourself to see why Wall of Denial is Chicago’s Premier Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute!