Former Big Label Stars Amber-Dawn Rische, Shannon Lawson and Jon Nicholson Make New Indie Music

Former Jypsi band member Amber-Dawn Rische with husband Bobby

Not being on a major label any longer hasn't let two distinctly different acts keep them from acting on their music bug. Former Jypsi member Amber-Dawn Rische (now Amber-Dawn Rische Nicholas) and her Canadian husband Bobby have started a new duo called Bad Nicholas and released an album entitled We Will Fly. Separately, former MCA artist Shannon Lawson and former Warner Brothers artist Jon Nicholson have come together and formed a duo called El Camino. Their first EP has been released this month and is appropriately called Vol. 1.

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Bad Nicholas has utilized a roots based feel/sound, unique to their individual musical upbringings. The pair met at a jam session in 1999 and quickly developed a personal and musical friendship, although at the time, both were pursuing their own music careers. Several years later, they began dating and eventually got married on a winter vacation in Mexico and recently formed the duo.

Amber-Dawn Rische Nicholas has been performing worldwide for many years as a violinist and singer with the now disbanded Arista/Sony Nashville signed group, Jypsi. With the band, she had the opportunity to play many prestigious venues such as Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, South By Southwest (SXSW), Stagecoach, and many more including several appearances at The Ryman and The Grand Ole Opry. She has toured/performed with major artists including, Darius Rucker, Ronnie Milsap, Hootie & the Blowfish, etc. She has also gained invaluable experience working in the studio with many of the world’s top record producers such as Don Was, Nathan Chapman, Tony Smith, and the list goes on.

Bobby Nicholas has a vast range of musical experiences that began at a young age in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. From solo television performances, such as Much Music and the Tommy Hunter Show, to traveling the country in various groups and duos, he honed his skills as an artist and sideman. After moving to Nashville in 1997, he began working as a utility musician and back up singer for several major artists including Patty Loveless and Terri Clark, which gave him the opportunity to play venues such as Austin City Limits, The Ryman, The Grand Ole Opry, and travel the world. Around town, he has had the honor of playing on stage with legends ranging from John Prine to John Paul Jones, from The Osborne Brothers to the Little River Band.

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Former MCA artist Shannon Lawson & WB artist Jon Nicholson make up El Camino

Shannon Lawson and Jon Nicholson originally formed El Camino with fellow Muzik Mafia partner, James Otto.  And while still very close friends, Otto did not participate in this project this time around.  Shannon is most remembered for his smash country hit "Goodbye on a Bad Day" from his album Chase the Sun that was released by MCA Records in 2002, and his remarkable song writing skills- lending his insight to even such current stars as Jamey Johnson with his song "Can't Cash My Checks".

Nicholson was one of the four original founding members of Muzik Mafia, although he had a long history prior with an indie rock band in Texas called "Stroller". His work with that band gained him a large collection of fans, and his creativity spilled over from that band to his solo work, his Mafia project and onward. He released his own album called A Lil Sump'm Sump'm after being signed to Warner Bros. The CD was released in 2005.

The vocals are the centerpiece of this band. Nicholson and Lawson trade lead vocals and break into harmonies reminding one of C.S.N.Y., and the Eagles Desperado record. You can stream the record HERE.