MuzikMafia, a community of musicians and artists who promote one another in a positive and constructive way, will sponsor the group’s first MuzikMafia night at local venue Bluesboro on Friday, Feb. 8.
Jon Nicholson, one of the founders of MM, said such special-event nights usually entail various musicians coming together to fellowship, jam and share their passion for music.
“Our motto is ?You never know who is going to show,’” said Nicholson, who lists George Clinton and members of P-Funk , Creed, 3 Doors Down, Velvet Revolver, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Robert Randolph, Kid Rock, Hank Williams Jr., Stephen Marley and Ziggy Marley among those making guest appearances on MuzikMafia nights. These nights, he noted, are a prime time for local artists to team with other talented musicians and create music. MuzikMafia invites musicians and artists from Murfreesboro to join the fun Feb. 8, because new, creative and talented people are always welcomed to participate.
“We usually get about 10 artists to come and jam together. We are all just real musicians, making real music that flows naturally out of us,” Nicholson said. “Since the level of talent on stage is extremely high, we look for people with strong characters and amazing talent because they will be jamming with world-class artists.”
He said they wanted to start doing shows here because it is so close to Nashville and there is a lot of unknown talent.
Matt O’Dell of Bluesboro said several local artists, including Last Straw, Matt Martino, THB and newcomer Joelle Aleece, to name a few, are confirmed to open the Feb. 8 show, then perform alongside the MM players later that evening.
“We are really excited about it (because this is) a great opportunity for musicians who’ve played Bluesboro before?or for those who’ve just played around the area?to come out,” O’Dell said. “MuzikMafia is a huge deal here in Nashville, and there’s a lot of great people in it, so this is a great chance for them to play, get their names out there and get recognition throughout the industry.”
Nicholson said MuzikMafia is trying to organize a monthly night in Murfreesboro, saying the group wants to find new artists and promote their talent in every way.
Founded in October 2001 by Warner Bros. recording artists Nicholson, John Rich, Kenny “Big Kenny” Alphin and music publisher/industry exec Cory Gierman?also known as “The Godfathers” of the musical movement?MuzikMafia hosts shows almost every Tuesday at different venues in Nashville and tours throughout the country.
Regarding MM, which named Gretchen Wilson its official “Godmother” in 2005, Nicholson said, “Essentially, MuzikMafia is a fellowship of artists who are using ?expandalism’ to put the creativity back into music,” a term the group created to describe how its mission is accomplished. In short, MM seeks to “share the love of muzik without prejudice.”
MuzikMafia’s members hope to diminish the cultural barriers surrounding music by showing people it’s possible to make great music by blending different genres like reggae, rock, country, R&B, alternative and other forms, Nicholson said.
For more information, visit muzikmafia.com.
