Probably the best thing about assembling this column is hopefully the best thing about reading it: Getting to know a little more about the people you’ve seen and heard for maybe years. Keenan Nichols is a great example. You know he’s a hard working rocker, guitarist for the always moving Architects. But did you know he grew up in Kansas City, moved to Dallas for music, moved back to KC for love 10 years later? And here’s how he closed his last biographically-informative email: “God Bless Les Pauls, Orange Amps and Hiwatt cabinets. Oh and Paul Marchman.” Ladies and gentlemen, get to know Keenan Nichols:
What’s the last album you listened to?
Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record. I’m going through a full on ELO faze right now and can’t get enough of it. Seriously, drop by my house any afternoon and you’ll probably find me playing “Telephone Line” or “Showdown” to my dogs.
Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record. I’m going through a full on ELO faze right now and can’t get enough of it. Seriously, drop by my house any afternoon and you’ll probably find me playing “Telephone Line” or “Showdown” to my dogs.
What is one album you feel everyone should listen to?
Ko Ko Joe By Jerry Reed OR Any Jerry Reed for that matter! Jerry was such an incredible singer/songwriter/guitar virtuoso and I don’t think people really know how much more there was to the man besides Smokey & The Bandit & the song “East Bound & Down.” One of my all time favorites.
Who is one person, present or past, that you would love to collaborate/jam with?
Billy Gibbons. He is one of my favorite guitar players. I had a dream once where we were playing “Asleep In The Desert” together at the zoo! HAHA! Great style and feel on guitar that is pure Texas, which I love. And considering our mutual love of Les Pauls, Grestch, cold beer and the Lone Star State, I think we would get a long just fine.
Considering our mutual love of Les Pauls, Grestch, cold beer and the Lone Star State, I think we would get a long just fine.
Who is one person outside of music that you admire and why?
My MaMaa. We had it pretty rough when I was a kid and we went without but made sure that I had money for guitar lessons every week for 10 years. Whenever I’m on tour playing a big show, I send her a picture of the crowd that says “Thanks for all the lessons.”
My MaMaa. We had it pretty rough when I was a kid and we went without but made sure that I had money for guitar lessons every week for 10 years. Whenever I’m on tour playing a big show, I send her a picture of the crowd that says “Thanks for all the lessons.”
Do you read music?
Not well. Once I got the gig as lead guitarist in a production of Hedwig & The Angry Inch in Dallas and the director handed me a hand written score from Stephen Trask and said, “You CAN read this, can’t you?” I said, “No worries!” Went home did my best but some of the shit I just couldn’t read (not to mention that I kinda suck at it), then called up my old guitar teacher JP McClain, came up to KC for the weekend and he helped me out. Hahaha!
Any other obsessions/passions besides music?
I am a bit of an artist. I try to have an art show ’bout once a year. I’ve been doing album covers. I did all the cover illustration for the last Architects record The Hard Way and am working on the cover for the next BellRays record. Jack of all trades, master of none.
What was your first guitar, do you still have it?
Gibson S-1. It’s long gone but I still have the Gibson Protector case it came in. Hold on to those old Protector cases people, they rule in heaven and hell!
Inquest Midwest explores the minds of musicians from Parkville to Raymore—and beyond.
Subject examined by Troy Van Horn.
