Nick Boettcher

Music was in Nick’s soul from the first breath he took. It may have taken thirteen years for him to realize that he can channel his bottled passion into six strings of sonic expression and a few breaths of articulated vocals, but that was just in time for him to realize the purpose in his craft. Nick grew up in Peoria, IL, and as the old Vaudeville saying goes, “If it plays in Peoria, It’ll play anywhere.” At 15 years old he was a regular at several blues bars and clubs in Central Illinois, proving not only his technical guitar ability and his vocal skills, but also his genuine and authentic feeling of the music, allowing listeners to come along with him in his melodic journey. By the age of 18, Nick won the Peoria Civic Center Battle of the Bands for high schools: BandJam, earning the respect of peers as well as the seasoned professionals he had been jamming with the past four years. This paved the way to his first studio session recording his first rendition of “Freezing Rain.” All the while, Nick was studying music in school, trying at every moment to expand his knowledge on the subject, leading to his acceptance to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied Guitar Performance, Songwriting, and Music Business, in preparation for taking the music industry from all angles. At Berklee, Nick discovered new musical styles that he had not been previously exposed to. Artists such as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Jeff Beck, Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, and The Meters went from names he recognized in passing to frequent reference material for composing and creating new music. During this time of study, Nick maintained a performance schedule, competing in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN as a solo artist and receiving critical acclaim. He recorded a solo acoustic album, Was It Worth The Trouble 2004, as well as a live album with the Nick Boettcher Band, Live at LutherFest ’05, also receiving critical acclaim in the blues world. After graduating from Berklee, Nick moved back Peoria to perform, teach, write, and further research the record industry. Having all his ducks in a row, He now lives in Chicago continuing to perform, teach, and write. To be released in early 2008, Nick recorded his first full-length studio effort with fellow Berklee graduate, “Funky” Brian Quinn, and their Rock/Funk/Soul band DriveTrain. To Nick, music is a never-ending journey and an expression of life. Not an entity unto itself, but a reflection of people, experiences, and relationships. It’s how you feel in the form of sound, and that’s why there is a music that speaks to everybody.“A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH. ON STAGE HIS ORIGINAL STYLE LEADS TO AN AMAZING PERFORMANCE.” • -JAY GOLDBERG, OWNER, JAY GOLDBERG EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT“HE SINGS, PLAYS, MOVES AND GROOVES WITH A PERFORMANCE THAT IS WAY BEYOND HIS YEARS.” • -KEVIN GALL, PRESIDENT OF RIVER CITY BLUES SOCIETY“NICK IS A REAL POWERHOUSE. THE REAL DEAL. GREAT SONGS, VOCALS, HOOKS, AND UPFRONT IN-YOUR-FACE GUITAR PLAYING NOT TO BE MISSED.” • -TRENT KEELING, OWNER, ADVANCED AUDIO AND LIGHTING“NICK NEVER FAILS TO PACK THE HOUSE MORE & MORE EACH TIME WE CAN GET HIM IN HERE! HE IS DEFINITELY A FAVORITE NOT ONLY FOR OUR CUSTOMERS, BUT OUR ENTIRE STAFF.” • VIRGIL ANDERSON, GENERAL MANAGER, EAGLE’S NEST
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