Jared James Nichols Album Release Party Live at The Basement East, Nashville, TN on January 17th, 2023

Review and Live Photos: Josh Trotter

Nashville was not ready for the Wisconsin native Jared James Nichols and his custom Gibson Les Paul “Old Glory”. Jared released his new self-titled album “Jared James Nichols” on January 13th, 2023 which will be his third full-length album with much anticipation from his fans. It is the first album under New York-based Black Hill Records (The Offspring, The Clash, Coal Chamber). There was no better place to release the 2021 introduced, Gibson ambassador’s new album, than in Nashville, the music city, home to the Gibson USA headquarters.

Jared has performed for live audiences traveling the world opening for bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, and Kid Rock. Sharing the stage with known artists like Joe Bonamassa, Zakk Wylde, and Slash. The fourteen-year-old Jared Nichols had no clue what was to come while receiving his first guitar. Just two weeks after, Jared hit the stage jamming alongside the local scene’s artist. By his twenty-first birthday, Jared had played over five hundred shows! Playing with guitar legends like Buddy Guy, Derek Trucks, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

The line formed early at The Basement East located in east Nashville, just blocks away from Broadway. Fans drove from multiple states with custom-made amps, guitars, and more in hand waiting to get signed. Opening act Nashville locals, Ace Monroe shook the stage with their vintage rock n’ roll tones prepping the crowd for what was to come!

Ace Monroe Opener

Jared James Nichols Album Release Party Live at The Basement East, Nashville, TN on January 17th, 2023

The crowd cheered as Jared and his band took the stage. Nichols wields various guitars throughout the set, one is a vintage 1952 Gibson Les Paul, which had the crowd hanging on to every note played by the pick-less player. Using the same guitars that he used to record the album. Nichols said “I want you guys to experience the album as it was recorded.” to the packed-out room.

The band played through the entire album including some already big hits like “Down the Drain” hitting over 60,000 streams on Spotify alone in just a couple of days. After they finished playing the twelve-track album from start to finish, the award-winning guitarist played one last song off of his 2022 EP “Threw Me to the Wolves” before introducing some very special guests. Zach Myers (Shinedown guitarist) took the stage as the crowd roared to cover Alice in Chains’ “Man in the Box”. The crowd still clapping, Jared called out Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest) to cover Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs”. Harmonizing together Nichols and Faulkner lean on each other side by side shredding as the crowd chants every word. Afterwards Nichols stated he had made a nervous phone call to Peter Keys (Lynyrd Skynyrd) asking to come out and play a song or two on the Nashville stage. Thankfully Keys agreed! Keys stayed on the stage while Jared introduced Marty Schwartz (Marty Music) to play the Moloch tune “Going Down”, made famous by Freddie King, and to finish up the show the all-star lineup stayed on to play what could be the most requested song in every southern bar, Free Bird. The packed-out crowd sang along as each musician took turns soloing as the show closed out. Jared and the band hung out after the show to take photos and sign various items at the stocked merch booth as the crowd faded out, still shocked and air guitar strumming into the Nashville streets.

The night was one for the books! So much talent in one place was like a dream come true. If you have not seen Jared James Nichols live, make sure you are following his social media accounts to know there will be dates close to you. I’m glad I was able to see him and I know you will be too.

Jared James Nichols Album Release Party Live at The Basement East, Nashville, TN on January 17th, 2023