Although Nick loves every genre of music he was most inspired by the music of Donna Summer. He snuck into his sister‘s record collection at the ripe old age of six years old and pulled out an album entitled, “Love to Love You Baby”. He put the needle on the record and from the moment he heard her voice he knew he wanted to sing like that… from his soul. Many years later Nick not only met Donna, he had the incredible privilege to perform with her and become friends with her and her extraordinary family. Not many people can say they were lucky enough to meet their idols. Donna believed in him when he didn’t. She pushed him to sing, live, love laugh and never look back. She completely changed the trajectory of his life. Because of this, Nick has made it his mission to devote the rest of his life to honoring Donna‘s music in everything he does. He’s a firm believer in taking a little Summer with him wherever he goes.

In junior high school, Nick decided to audition for a talent show to the surprise of all his friends and teachers. Until then he was a shy quiet kid who never even hummed in public. After receiving such supportive responses from everyone and suddenly becoming “popular”, Nick decided to do some small concerts to raise money for his local community.

As time went on Nick’s taste expanded and his musical world grew beyond American pop, rock, and soul music. He started working with the late composer and author Liz Swados in the early 90s. Liz introduced Nick to world music and the unique voicings of instruments from other cultures like the Australian didgeridoo, the South African marimba, the Latin American clave as well as the flexibility and endless possibilities of his most favorite instrument of all… The human voice itself!

With his newly found confidence he gained from working with Donna and all the knowledge he gathered from Liz, Nick felt ready to try taking center stage a little more often. He was thrilled to be one of the featured vocalists of the Marble Collegiate Gospel Choir and The Metro Mass Choir both under the direction of the extraordinarily talented Michael David Brown. With the choir Nick got to perform with the likes of Marc Anthony, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. He also got to perform on the greatest stages in the world, including Carnegie Hall and New York’s famous Beacon Theatre. Nick always loved the passion and honesty of gospel music. So working with the choir really allowed Nick to push himself beyond his limits and sing with abandon and complete freedom.

Along with this new confidence in performing came a conviction and courage to start writing his own songs. He felt it was time to share that part of his talent. So in 2002, his first full length album, “A New Day Has Begun” was born. This album was like a journal of Nick’s life up to that point. It was not only the beginning of a new day, but a new life. Nick was finding his voice for the first time and realized how much he enjoyed writing and performing his own music. He became laser focused on honing his songwriting skills. After the album’s release, he had a cd release concert at the Montclair Art Museum in Montclair, NJ. He could’ve never pulled it off without his best friend Mary Brenycz who selflessly did everything to make this concert happen.

Devoting more time to being a struggling artist, Nick knew he needed to find a job that would allow him to pay his bills and still do music by night. Being a caregiver at heart, Nick knew if he was going to take on a new vocation, it had to be with the intention of helping others. So he decided to go to school at Westport’s Connecticut Center For Massage Therapy to become a licensed clinical massage therapist. By 2004 Nick was fully licensed and loving his decision. He even performed a song he wrote at his graduation ceremony called “Vision In Our Hands”. Till this day he does not regret that decision. It was the perfect compliment to his creative endeavors.

It was at this time that Nick started to listen to singer/songwriters like John Baez, Bob Dylan, Melanie, Richie Havens, Bonnie Raitt, John Gorka, Shawn Colvin and his favorite Bruce Sudano. It was like a master class in songwriting. It influenced him greatly and ignited a fire within him. He dreamed of writing more theatrical pieces with extensive arrangements. He imagined constructing more truthful and autobiographical, introspective pieces. He wanted to set his life stories and observations to music.

Matt has an incredible knowledge of songwriting and a limitless talent when it comes to producing and arranging songs. Nick brought his melodies and lyrics to Matt with great expectations that were impossible to meet… especially on a shoestring budget. But anything is possible when Matt Nichols is your collaborator. So Matt engineered, produced, arranged and played every instrument on every song. While Nick sang all lead vocals and every background vocal. But the album was never completed due to Nick’s health issues and a family tragedy. It wasn’t until 2012 that the duo completed the album and changed the album’s title to “Moon Songs And Angels.”

It was during the recording of “You Are The Angels”/“Moon Songs And Angels” that Nick and his family suffered a tragic loss in 2008 when a young member of his immediate family passed away unexpectedly. It was the first time that Nick fell into a deep depression. It was like no other sense of helplessness had ever felt. It caused him to lose interest in all of the things he loved about life including taking care of his own health. By 2010, Nick had reached 386 pounds. He was dealing with high blood pressure and breathing problems and could hardly get out of bed in the morning. It was then that his family doctor, Dr. Renee Alfano of Trumbull Connecticut advised him to immediately stop the path he was on and begin to live again. She went on to say that he was not honoring the memory of his lost loved one by killing himself. He took her advice very seriously. Both he and his doctor decided gastric bypass surgery would be the best way to go. Nick went through months of therapy leading up to a surgery and continues with therapy to this day. It’s so important to talk through your problems with someone who can help provide you with the tools that we sometimes forget we even have. So in December 2010, Nick went through with the surgery and by the end of 2011 he had lost almost 200 pounds. Since then he has successfully kept off the weight. He still struggles from time to time because there really is no perfect cure for depression. However, there are ways of dealing with life’s trials in real time rather than ignoring them. When you ignore them, It makes the problems so huge that trying to fix them seems impossible. Nick is a firm believer in speaking his truth and not being ashamed to tell his story. As Nick grew stronger physically and mentally he and Matt were able to finally complete the project they started in 2006. For many reasons Nick felt a great sense of triumph and achievement. It was proof to him that no matter how helpless things look, things can get better. But you can’t give up the fight.

Coincidentally, the theme of the album was about resilience, never giving up and second chances. The lyrics of the opening song, “You Are The Angels” say:

Sometimes when,
the weight we carry begins,
to get harder to bear.
You feel you could drop
down to your knees
and just stop
the war you’ve been fighting.
Just then angels step in,
and and lift you back to your feet.
And give you the strength to fly.

Quite a number of years have gone by since the release of Nick’s second album, his gastric bypass surgery and the complications he suffered as a result of that surgery. He thought that he was never going to perform again. But in 2017 he was asked to join a concert in Delray Florida with Mary Gaines Bernard, Donna Summer’s sister.

The concert was a tribute concert for Donna. At first Nick was reluctant. Did he have the stuff it took to perform live again? Was he good enough? Well all of that therapy and time he took recuperating from feeling so broken had helped him to put things into perspective and stop questioning whether or not he could do it. Instead he realized that he wanted to do it. That was the first step to success… Realizing what it is you want. So he took the gig. It was life-changing for him. It brought such joy back into his life. It was like he was breathing again. It jumpstarted his creative heart. And began a whole new journey back to music.

He even decided to say yes to performing at the Merryall Center in New Milford Connecticut in 2019. The Merryall Center is an intimate eclectic performance space & community center for the arts in the Litchfield Hills that was incorporated in 1952.

His friend Rob Brereton who is on the board of the Merryall Center asked him to perform a concert there for years. Nick never felt ready. Until now. For the first time in over a decade, Nick was booked to perform live! The show was particularly significant to him in that it opened their June concerts to celebrate Pride month. He was still so worried that there would be more people on stage performing in his band then there would be in the audience. His fears were proven wrong and the concert was a great success. The concert sold out! To make himself more comfortable he created the stage to look like his living room. Bringing all of his favorite things from home. It actually worked. It also helped that the audience was filled with family and friends! Nick found a home at the Merryall Center and will continue to put on concerts there as long as he is welcome.

It was during the recording sessions of Nicks third studio album that he began to realize it was somewhat of a mission of his to dedicate his writing to people that he’s loved and lost. Hence the title of the album, “Songs Of Loss And Hope”. It’s always been important to Nick to pay tribute to those who had gone on before us. Those who loved us, taught us and moved us to be the people we have become. You will hear Nick say time and time again that he is surrounded by angels. It’s not just celestial angels but the angels right here on earth that do such great work every day to spread kindness, pay it forward, provide inspiration, and give the rest of us something to which we can aspire.

For example , Nick added a cover song called “Always In My Heart” which was a favorite of his Mother’s. He opens the song with a personal voicemail of his dad and mom singing the song to him. It’s hard not to be moved by the love expressed in this track.

He also included a song originally written by his ex boyfriend and dearest friend, John Lambo called “Another Sunday”. When Nick found the lyrics to “Another Sunday” in a folder of poems that John had written, he knew that this one was exceptional in its vulnerability, truth and purity. Nick had to set this to music and add it to the album.

“Reveal Yourself” is definitely an album of firsts. During the pandemic Nick’s massage business was shut down for almost two full years. With no income coming in, Nick used every cent of his savings to record the album. All of his friends convinced him to start a GoFundMe campaign to finish the project. He hesitated to do so at first because he couldn’t imagine asking for help at a time when everyone was suffering. It was nothing short of miraculous that so many gave to this project. Most notably was one very special donor. Dr. Marty Goldstein, a pioneer of integrative veterinary medicine who also happens to love music became the main reason for the album’s completion. With Dr Marty’s incredible generosity and the many other donors that contributed to the campaign, Nick and Matt raised the funds to finish the album. This is why Nick affectionately dubbed Dr. Marty his Angel Donor. Dr. Marty even sings a duet on the album and will performing live with Nick in future concerts. Everyone who donated received a thank you package which included the full double album and a “Reveal Yourself” mask. Some of the donors sent pics of themselves proudly wearing the mask. Nick could not have been more humbled and grateful to his many angels.

It was the first time Nick co-wrote a couple of songs with his extraordinarily talented friend, Lee Weissman.

It was the first time Nick decided to add cover songs that held great meaning to him throughout his life. Most significantly , an obscure song called “Sometimes Like Butterflies” which was originally sung by and co-written by Donna Summer along with award-winning songwriter, Bruce Roberts.

Donna created a piece of depth and heart that was so unlike any of her other well known hits. Its an all time favorite of Nick’s since it’s release as a B-side of a single in 1982. It’s such an honor to add this jewel to this compilation of his latest work.

It was also the first time that Nick worked with many musicians other than just himself and Matt Nichols. Some musicians came into the studio to safely record while many others worked remotely. It truly felt like a gathering of family. Coming out of a time when we had all been forced to separate from each other, it was so healing to finally come together. This is what music does… it brings people together. Even in the worst of times.

The double album title came about from one of the tracks on the album of the same name. But that wasn’t the only reason for the title. All the songs had something in common. They all revealed many side of Nick as a singer, a songwriter, a music lover and as a person. Every song is it’s own mini movie. Every track has a different feel.

You'll hear pop, rock, folk, soul, gospel and even bluegrass. These songs are extremely specific to Nick’s life. As a songwriter, he discovered that more people identify with your work when it is specific and honest. This just proves how much more alike we are than we are different. Nick’s hope is that in some way this album helps to bridge a gap. Because when we reveal ourselves to love, we allow ourselves to unite rather than to divide.

There was also a bit of tongue in cheek in the title. Since the whole world had been so masked up and hidden away for so long, all of us were ready to once again reveal ourselves. The title just felt right for so many reasons. Matt and Nick are so proud to have stayed the course and to have completed the album in spite of all obstacles. It was a labor of love with the underlying theme that love will always win.

In May of 2022, Nick and Matt are re-imagining their 2012 song, “Woman Of Faith” which was written in tribute to the great Donna Summer. In its original form it was a gospel-tinged ballad which expressed the great sadness of such a massive loss. Now, ten years later, Nick felt a need to re-release an updated version that is a more joyous celebration of her life. What better way to celebrate than with a thumping dance beat? This version has updated lyrics and a wild rhythmic percussive arrangement that is certain to get you up on your feet in honor of the one and only legendary Queen of Disco. The new version is titled, “Woman Of Faith 2022 (All Of Heaven And Earth Are Dancing)”

At the end of 2022, I started getting together all my ideas for the next project,  “ THE OTHER SIDE OF FEAR”.  Some songs were started, some were almost finished, and others weren’t even a gleam in my eye. But I knew I wanted the concept of this album to be my coming out story.

My first attempts at album covers for the new project:

At the same time,  I was preparing for a big Christmas concert at a beautiful church in Washington, CT at the beginning of December. I ordered 3 suits because anyone who knows me knows how much I love costume changes.  I bought red and green crushed velvet furniture for the set and six lighted Christmas trees to line the stage behind me. I was working with backup singers and musicians to prepare for our big performance. I even made a Christmas EP called, “REST OH WEARY TRAVELER” to sell at the concert. 

During this time, I started to notice that I was getting lots of sore throats and feeling very fatigued. At one of the rehearsals  I was very horse and limited in my range and vocal power.  It concerned me enough to go to the doctor.  I had the flu which quickly turned into pneumonia.  The Christmas show had to be canceled.  I was so disappointed.  

It took forever to feel strong enough to go back into the studio to begin the new album, which was now tenting titled, “INTO THE RAINBOW ROOM”.  Matt Nichols and I started our sessions but I was having great discomfort in my neck which gradually moved down to my shoulder blade and my arm. I also noticed that I was very limited in my vocal range and it actually hurt to sing.   At first I thought it was just the lingering symptoms of the flu and pneumonia. By the end of January, none of the songs we recorded were good enough in my opinion. My voice was just not the same.  I just could not shake this pain in the left side of my neck, shoulder and arm. 

I went to many doctors and told them how I was certain something was wrong because this was not usual for me. Every doctor said it’s nothing to worry about as we get older our voice changes they kept telling me that I’m no longer a teenager.  And as far as my sore throat, and they just kept giving me antibiotics, or steroids to help the swelling. I was also told it was allergies. By February I put my foot down and demanded an MRI.  Finally, my ENT agreed to have an MRI done.   

After my MRI was completed, and I was on my way home from the hospital, I got a call from my doctor, saying that he needed to see me if possible that afternoon. I knew that couldn’t be good so  I consented to meet with the doctor that same afternoon.  I still remember sitting in the chair when I heard my doctor say that my thyroid was riddled with tumors and that  I would need an ultrasound to check if this was thyroid cancer.  The ultrasound confirmed cancer on my left thyroid. This was the exact area where I was experiencing pain. Everyone said that I was lucky to have thyroid cancer because it’s  treatable, and if there was any cancer to get thyroid, cancer was the one.  Although  most of the time I’m a very positive person, it was hard for me to feel lucky. Thyroid cancer ran in my family. Many of my cousins and my aunts had thyroid cancer. Both my mom and my sister also had thyroid cancer. During my mom’s  surgery, my mom’s vocal cords were paralyzed. For the rest of her life, my mom could never sing again, and her voice was never the same. This was extremely frightening to me. I’m a singer. What would I do if I lost my voice? It was a very scary time.  

I had the surgery in April 2023, and had to cancel all of my concerts and the recording of my album until my voice was fully recovered. I also could not do my massage work (I’m a licensed clinical massage therapist) because I was so ill after surgery, and had very little strength. I began to gain a lot of weight, because my metabolism had completely shut down. They put me on a medicine called levothyroxine. The dose of the medicine kept having to be adjusted until they found the right dose for me. That was also extremely difficult on my mind and body.  I went into a terribly deep depression.  I felt like a mere shell of who I used to be.  I also felt guilty for being so depressed when I was alive. The surgery was a success, but I was feeling worse than I ever had in my life.  Everyone around me kept advising me to “just be happy that you no longer have cancer”.   It was such an insensitive thing to say.  Of course I was grateful. But I still wasn’t ok.   

It took almost 9 months before I could go back into the studio and sing again. My voice was still not 100% but every day I could feel that it was getting a little bit better day by day.  By January of 2024, I was 70 pounds heavier than I was in January of 2023.  I lost a lot of hair and my face just looked completely different. I didn’t recognize myself in the mirror. I was diagnosed as being prediabetic and every joint of my body was hurting. 

I knew I had to do something.  So I asked my endocrinologist what I could do to change my life.  Noting my serious despair, she advised intermittent fasting which I started on January 13th (I will always remember that day).  She also told me I should go see a metabolic doctor regarding my weight.  I scheduled the metabolic doctor in February of 2024.   The intermittent fasting was definitely working. It wasn’t easy but by the time I saw the metabolic doctor I had already lost 20 pounds in one month. The doctor prescribed Ozempic for my pre-diabetes diagnosis which I was both excited and fearful about trying. But I pushed past my fear and I went for it.  I felt like one of the real housewives from those Bravo reality shows!!! They’re all on Ozempic according to Andy Cohen!! Within another month after starting Ozempic I lost another 15 pounds.  I’m now down about 40 pounds and counting.  I still have 35 pounds to go to get to my goal weight.  But I’m proud of myself for being proactive and not giving in to my depression.  I eventually started to  feel that heavy gloom lifting.  I was feeling better in my skin.  I was experiencing less pain in my osteoarthritic knees and my voice was coming back!!!! It’s the rainbow after the storm!!

I was so thrilled to be back in the studio with Matt Nichols and Lee Weissman to continue  the new album now officially titled, simply, “RAINBOW ROOM”.  It was so incredibly exhilarating to be back in action, doing what I loved. 

I even began singing with the incredibly talented Rainere Martin who created a Donna Summer tribute band known as Forever Donna, The Ultimate Donna Summer Tribute.

As important as the music is to Nick, nothing is more important than his family and his beautiful animals. Nick now resides in Connecticut with his loving partner Bob Harris along with all their dogs, cats and birds. It is truly a house filled with love and unending inspiration for writing songs . Love is and always has been a great muse for Nick. Its the most important factor of a life well lived. Along with Bob and all of their fur babies, their circle of friends (their chosen family) allow them to live a life of gratitude, kindness, empathy and of course music. This is definitely the best part of Nick’s life and he looks forward to all that lies ahead. Be sure to stay tuned