Boston based songwriter Mark Nicholas grew up in a small town on the New Jersey shore. He found inspiration in Bruce Springsteen, the Seaside Heights Boardwalk, and the legendary performance venue in Asbury Park, The Stone Pony. As a kid, he proclaims that he was a free spirit and he grew up quickly. He has taken that freedom and transposed it into the very essence of his music. Hot Sands, Nicholas' debut album, was comprised of songs which were largely inspired by the ocean and it's allure and romance. At the age of seventeen, Mark Nicholas left home to attend college in Pennsylvania and then went on to attend law school in upstate New York. He lived in Philadelphia and became an intricate part of it's music scene. In 1996, Nicholas left the East Coast to move to San Francisco. He wrote many songs in California, because in California's beauty he found true inspiration. It seemed that everywhere he looked a new inspiration lurked. He also believes that this is when he really began to discover and understand himself. He feels that this is when his music took a drastic transformation, this is the period in which his songwriting matured. Moving back to the Boston area, Mark Nicholas joined the renowned circle of Boston singer/songwriters. Nicholas was a finalist in the 2000 Sierra Songwriters Festival. He has also been a two time winner in the category of best performance, at the NCSA. In addition to his amazing songwriting skills, his unique vocal style, and his ability to captivate an audience makes his live performances so totally inspiring. Having a signature style which has a focus on a rough and road worn quality, lends to the overall natural and unique feel to Mark Nicholas. He lists some key influences as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, and Chris Smither. He feels that these artists were influential to him but he does not feel that there is much which one will hear in his music that hints of these influences. He believes that his music is exactly that, his music, with a unique and original quality. In 2000, Nicholas released his sophomore album, Standing Right Here, which was a collection of original and penetrating songs. The album ranges from the revealing and personal, "Scared" and "Time That I Go," to the very loose and fun songs, "Beer" and "Has Anybody Seen My Coat." He describes the songs as painting a vivid clear picture to the listener. Mark Nicholas, in 2001, continued to reside in the Boston area and write material for another album, form a second music video, and perform in regional venues. ~ Larry Belanger