Thursday, July 24, 2008

Local guitar legend John Nitzinger celebrates 60th birthday at McDavid Studio on August 29

By Pegasus News wire

On August 29, John Nitzinger will turn the big 6-0. To ring in the occasion, the Fort Worth native and beloved blues-rock guitarist will be celebrating in rock n’ roll style: He’ll be revisiting many of his classic songs, unveiling a handful of new tunes and throwing in a few curveball surprises at the McDavid Studio in Bass Performance Hall.

“I don’t want to give away a lot of the surprises, but I will tell you one thing: ballet dancers,” Nitzinger says with a laugh. “Ballet dancers will perform their arrangement of one my songs, “Change.” I bet that’s the last thing you were expecting to hear!”

The bulk of the show, however, will be devoted to “Nitz’s” powerful fusions of blues and rock. “This is going to be a full-on rock show,” he says. “This is going to be rock n’ roll celebrating life, love and, well, rock n’ roll.”

Nitzinger rose to local and national prominence as a member of the ‘70s hard-rock band Bloodrock. He eventually went solo and released a string of popular records, including Nitzinger One Foot in History, and a hit single, “Louisiana Cockfight.” Over the past four decades, Nitzinger has toured and/or recorded with some of the biggest names in blues-rock circles, including Leon Russell, B.B. King, Alice Cooper, the Allman Brothers and others.

John Nitzinger

Over the past few years, Nitzinger has – very publicly – battled a series of health problems, including a bout with cancer and a stroke. He says those issues have only made him stronger. “I’m still standing,” he says. “And rocking harder than most human beings. Wait ‘til you hear the new CD. It’s the loudest stuff I’ve ever done.”

That CD, tentatively titled The Electric Texan, should be out by the end of the year, he says. He’ll preview a few songs from it at the McDavid show.

Nitzinger says the album was largely inspired by his life experiences. “I have 60 years to draw from,” he says. “It’ll be a life and death album. Believe me, I’ve experienced both.”

To charge tickets by phone, call (817) 212-4280 in Fort Worth; 1-877-212-4280 (toll free) outside Fort Worth; or order online at www.basshall.com. Tickets are also available at the Bass Performance Hall ticket office at 525 Commerce Street. Ticket office hours: Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Source: Bass Performance Hall

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