Alex Nyhus
“And on all instruments known to man…”
DESCRIBE ALEX IN ONE WORD: Well,
the word “AMAZING” is what I hear most often from fans and friends
commenting on “The Liddle Fiddle Man” who has been my right hand on
stage since August 2001. I know the first time I witnessed Alex in
action that very same word came to MY mind!
I feel truly blessed to have a musician as profoundly gifted
as Alex Nyhus in my corner. Alex is one of those special performers with the
enviable ability to step up to the plate when it really counts and hit it right
out of the park. I feel like a proud papa whenever Alex has the spotlight and I
look out into that collage of big smiles and dropped jaws in the audience. He’s
the kind of utility player that few bands are ever fortunate enough to acquire.
The kind of versatility Alex brings to the table serves as an enormous asset to
any band or individual sharing the stage with him. In a typical four-set show
you’ll likely see Alex Nyhus showcasing his remarkable talents on the Fiddle,
Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Accordion, Blues Harp, and Piano. It’s hard to find an
instrument that he DOESN’T play, and he plays them masterfully! If there are
strings on it, Alex can play it. In fact, I once handed him an old tennis shoe,
and I’ll be danged if the little freak didn’t start playing “Foggy Mountain
Through the years, Alex has also retained a seemingly
endless archive of whimsical stories and one-liners, which he is able to recall
and share with audiences the moment there’s a “lull” between songs on stage. In
addition, as if all of that wasn’t enough from one musician, when called upon,
Alex can also cover lead and backing vocal duties!
Born the seventh of eight
children from four different fathers, Alex has lived his entire life not being
sure of his birthplace. Though his upbringing might seem less than ideal, we’ve
all becomes beneficiaries of his hardships, because Alex found comfort in
music: listening to music, learning to play music, (on
a plethora of instruments) and most of all, performing music.
Over the years, Alex has performed with countless
nationally acclaimed recording artists, including Marty Stuart, Tracy Byrd,
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lester Flatt, Kitty Wells, Little Jimmy Dickens, Johnny
Lee, Connie Smith, Billy Walker, Joe Maphis, Jeanne Pruett, Garrison Keillor,
and many others forgotten, but every bit as famous!
Before joining
me in “Gino Ruberto and Durango”
Alex’s formidable talents “put the cherry
on top” of many outstanding bands across the Midwest, including High Noon,
Dixie North, Colt-45, Father’s Tobacco, K-County Country Band, Shelby Kingman,
County Line, and Kolt.
These days, Alex resides in
Alex’s Lifetime Goal:
“Stay
in good standing with The Creator.”
Alex’s Short-Term Goal:
“Stay
in good standing with Gino Ruberto.”
*I can’t speak for The Creator, but I can tell you
that Alex consistently achieves and exceeds his short-term goal…
