Nick Curran

Comin' on like a sci-fi hybrid of T-Bone Walker, Little Richard, and Guitar Slim, guitarist/singer Nick Curran was a powerhouse performer who owed a strong debt to blues and rockabilly artists of the '50s. Originally from Biddeford, Maine, Curran moved to Dallas where he quickly immersed himself in the city's vibrant blues traditions as well as the roots music scene in Austin. Citing such influences as Wynonie Harris, Otis West, Roy Brown, and many other postwar blues and rock & roll artists, Curran released his solo album debut, Fixin' Your Head, in 2000. Subsequent recordings solidified his reputation as one of the most authentic and exciting roots musicians of his generation. Curran was diagnosed with oral cancer in 2009. He died on October 6, 2012 at age 35. ~ Matt Collar