User:SlimJim65/Michelle Nixon

Michelle Nixon is an Award Winning Bluegrass and Acoustic Country Artist. Born Michelle Denice Thurston on December 10, 1963 she grew up in central Virgina where she became involved in music at an early age. Nixon joined her first band at the age of 14, embarking on a musical journey that found her singing a variety of gospel and classic country music with different Virginia-based bands. Gathering inspiration and style from, among others, Loretta Lynn and Emmylou Harris, Nixon quickly developed her own powerful sound.

History
Michelle Nixon started her professional music career when she formed the band Slate River with her husband Nick in 1989. In 1990 and 1991, Nixon won the Virginia Folk Music Association's female vocalist award. After playing a key role in the Virginia Band "Local Exchange", Nixon formed her current band - Michelle Nixon & Drive - in 2002. Two short years later Michelle was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional) at the National SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass in America) convention in Nashville, TN for the first time. By 2006 she was the recipient of the Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional) at the SPBGMA convention.

Michelle was invited to participate in the much acclaimed "Daughter's of Bluegrass" series of albums both by singing and song writing. On the 2006 release "Daughter's of Bluegrass - Back to the Well" Michelle co-wrote the song "Grass Angels" and performed on several of the cuts including a duet with fellow Bluegrass artist Jeanette Williams entitled "How's it Feel" which was written by Dixie and [Tom T. Hall].

Blue Circle Records continued the "Daughter's of Bluegrass Series" with the album "Daughter's of Bluegrass - Bluegrass Bouquet" in late 2008. Michelle Nixon again provided her vocal talents to this various artist project. For both of these projects Michelle was a recipient of the IBMA Recording Event of the Year Award in 2006 and 2009 respectively.

Style
Nixon's overall style would be called Contemporary Bluegrass or Acoustic Country. She has a wide range of vocal and instrumental abilities and often performs both smooth ballads and hard driving Bluegrass. In her performances and recording projects she has shown her ability to shine as a solo vocalist as well as an outstanding ability to sing harmony that she learned as a girl singing gospel music. She has performed and/or recorded projects with many bluegrass artist such as Jeanette Williams as well as Country music performers such as Grand Ole Opry star Bill Anderson.

Personal Life
Michelle is married to Nick Nixon and she has three children - Tia, Chip and Trace. She balances a busy musical career and family life while still finding time for the great out doors. She loves to spend her "spare" time gardening, fishing and camping. Her husband Nick is an acoustic country artist who sometime collaborates with Michelle. He has most recently been listed as a band member in "Drive".

Discography

 * Local Exchange - Because He Lives - Copper Creek Records 2001
 * Michelle Nixon and Drive - It's My Turn - Pinecastle Records 2003
 * Michelle Nixon and Drive - By Request - Pinecastle Records 2004
 * Various Artists - A Pinecastle Christmas Gatherin' - Pinecastle Records 2004
 * Michelle Nixon and Drive - What More Should I Say - Pinecastle Records 2005
 * Daughter's of Bluegrass (Various Artists) - Back To The Well - Blue Circle Records 2006
 * Daughter's of Bluegrass (Various Artists) - Bluegrass Bouquet - Blue Circle Records 2008