Nick 13 at Stagecoach 2013.(Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)
Nick 13 is always a treat to see live and his Stagecoach 2013 set didn’t disappoint.
Dressed in a seafoam green Nudie suit bedazzled with his name in black sparkles on the back, Nick 13 played a set of rambling country music that included his solo work and some Tiger Army favorites.
He also spoke about seeing George Jones, who died on Friday at age 81, and dedicated “In the Orchard” to him.
He played both “Carry My Body Down” and “Nighttime Sky,” two videos directed by the Inland Empire’s own Aron Paul Orton. Before “Carry My Body Down” Nick 13 talked about how he filmed the video here in the desert.
He also shared some stories about some of the songs, including Tiger Army’s “Outlaw Heart,” which was the first Americana song he wrote.
“It’s the song that led me down this path,” he said.
He also spoke about how Stagecoach was his live solo debut three years ago. One of the things about him is that he is such a big fan. I have seen him here at Stagecoach on the years he isn’t playing as well as walking around to check out music yesterday.
There is something about him that reminds me of a punk rock looking Ricky Nelson, but his songs draw from traditional country. His smooth tenor is his biggest strength. He’s one of those people you would let sing the phone book, or, in this day and age, your contacts list in your iPhone.
Other highlights of the set included “Cupid’s Victim,” “101” and “Someday.”
I first saw Nick 13 when he impressed the heck out of me at his Stagecoach debut and with the full band he was even stronger.