Bio
Nick Wade, an accomplished Country Blues and Gospel artist, sings and plays the Blues like only an ever dwindling number of people can.
Nick was born in 1983 in Browntown, VA. The family moved to Louisa county, which he calls his hometown, when he was 1. His father, Chris, was a farmer by trade, and took a job in Louisa managing a 1000 acre former plantation at which his family also lived.
"Hawkwood Plantation" would be Nick's home until he was 20 years of age. Living on the farm where a large family of African Americans also lived, Nick would often sneak down the hill from the barnyard to a creek bottom where a lot of children and a portion of the African American family lived, which were former slave quarters with a room added on. Sneaking down the hill to visit with Eli's family and children, cousins, nieces, and nephews went against his father's wishes, as "grown up things" took place there. But, Nick continued fellowshipping with the other children.
While living at Hawkwood, Nick was exposed to a form of a way of life that at the time was all but forgotten. Eli's family worked at the plantation, which was owned by a rich landowner from Louisa. Nick, his brother Travis, and his Father worked alongside Eli and some of his family. Eli was a great man, and a great equipment operator and farmer, but was a very heavy drinker. He would consume a gallon of whiskey a day, while sipping on aftershave to hide his breath as he hauled cattle and went for supplies for the farm. This whole experience , would become a vital part in his connection to the Country Blues.
Music runs in Nick's family. His grandfather, Johnny Wade, was a jazz musician, playing over 15 instruments. Johnny played in Dizzy Gillespie’s band and used to jam with Charlie Parker in the New York City club scene. He also was in bands with many other notable figures in the early Jazz scene such as Freddie Slack and others. Part of his legacy was recorded in the book "Rhythm man, 50 years in Jazz." Johnny never did make a big name for himself but was known by many Jazz players of the 1940s and 50s. Nicks mother, Wanda, was also a talented vocalist, winning a vocal competition in high school. She sounded something like Loretta Lynn. While it can be said that Nick's talent was passed down, he instead calls it "a gift from God."
His "gift" for music, his upbringing, his grandfather, and mother's talents all played a part in making Nick the musician he is today. Wade has gone on to become an accomplished singer and player of the Country Blues and Gospel traditions of old. He was recently interviewed and featured in the legendary Blues publication, Living Blues, and has played at festivals and venues in Mississippi such as his 5 appearances at the Bentonia Blues Festival, and also the John Jackson Blues Festival in his home state of Virginia. Nick also recorded his debut album "Feeling Good is Good Enough" in 2023 with the Select-O-Hits label out of Memphis, Tennesee. The album was a great success for him. It was a top ten review for both Living Blues, Blues Music Magazine, and was reviewed by 15 or so other Blues publications and critics, with all of them praising the album. It was also nominated for an Independent Blues Award, losing out to the great Eric Bibb.
The future looks bright for this 42 year old man of deep faith. Seems as if there's only one way to go, and that is up, both career-wise and to his eternal home in heaven. Let's hope Nick becomes exposed to a broader audience as his music is something sorely needed in today's times.