Artist description Nitty is a songwriter currently living in Cincinnati, Ohio. The music has its base in the blues, but Nitty keeps all possibilities open. Lyrically Nitty is inspired by the imagery of Bob Dylan, Sly Stone, Bob Marley, and people in general. Nitty fuses these impressions into equal parts converstaion and story-telling. The music has elements of Hendrix, James Brown, rural blues and even early classical. The result is a sound the soars to great heights while keeping its feet on the ground, making listeners feel like they are part of the song. "I love how blues can be the root of a song that is a tree," says Nitty. His family, bassist Dr. Hambone and drummer Nick, plays with an explosive passion that has been largely absent from contempory blues and rock. Their style is dirty but pure. Nitty's guitar playing is a natural extension of the music, inspired by blues greats, not-so-greats, animals, trains, and just about anything that makes a sound he's been awake to hear. Ninety percent of the guitar work is improvised, the rest is favorite lines developed from past improvisations. The whole band records live to make sure that the tracks have a distinct personal delivery and the feel that the listener is there during the recording. "We want to sound live," says Nitty, "not Memo-X." While Nitty sometimes plays up to two guitar parts and singing, Dr. Hambone conjures up sounds including straight-ahead bass, cellos, tornadoes, tsunamies, laser blasts, and alalog synths. His sound is steeped in soul and infused with his personality and sense of humor. Drummer Nick, the newest addition to the group, is the perfect foil to the rest of the band. His sound is circular, churning, and always stirring up the music. He locks down the botom while soaring with the static guitar rhythms, helping to create the Family's huge sound.

Music Style Power driven blues rock with lots of guitar and thoughtful story telling.

Musical Influences Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone, Howling Wolf, Prince, James Brown, W.A. Mozart, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley

Similar Artists This is for you to decide.

Group Members THE FAMILY: Nitty: guitars, story-telling -- Aaron Crary aka "Dr. Hambone": Bass, shouts -- Steve Kerns: Drums, Harmonica -- Eric Lewis: Sax -- Travis Cannon and David Lee: Extra Voices -- James Callahan: Drums on "Houndog Joe", "Sunrise", and "People on a Mountain".

Instruments Blues trio with a huge blues-rock sound.

Albums Nitty Irving's Family

Location Cincinnati, Ohio - USA

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