Darren Nicholson
Darren Nicholson is a North Carolina-born mandolinist and singer who spent fifteen years as a founding member of Balsam Range (2007–2022) before returning to a full-time solo career — a 13-time IBMA award winner, Grand Ole Opry performer, and recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
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- Jackson County, NC native; raised in a deeply musical family with championship old-time fiddler/guitarist father Hayes Nicholson and uncle Bud Cunningham.
- Began performing professionally as a child; at 12 joined the band that became Buncombe Turnpike; later played with Hazel Creek, Alecia Nugent Band, Audie Blaylock, and the Crowe Brothers.
- Founding member of Balsam Range in 2007 (mandolin); departed in December 2022 after 15 years to pursue solo career full time.
- Solo discography includes self-titled debut (2007), "Things Left Undone" (2014, with John Driskell Hopkins and Rhonda Vincent), "Fret a Spell" (2018, all-instrumental), and "Wanderer" EP (2023).
- Fronts the Darren Nicholson Band with Steve Sutton (banjo), Kevin Sluter (bass), and Griff Martin (guitar).
- Grammy nominee and 13-time IBMA award winner; Grand Ole Opry performer.
- Recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor given by North Carolina's governor.
- Many of the early Balsam Range jam sessions in 2007 happened at Nicholson's home in Canton, North Carolina.
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Kathy Kallick BandPlayed on recordings with Kathy Kallick Band
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Balsam RangePlayed on recording with Balsam Range
