About Nelson Colt
Born
in Ottawa, raised across the river in the modest town of
Aylmer, Quebec,
Nelson is a true "country boy". He grew up listening
to several types of music, but honed in on country after
a trip to visit
his uncle who played guitar. He instructed Nelson to play
three chords and a country rhythm. Well, he caught on instantly
and
was hooked
for life.......his passion had been discovered!Upon returning
home, Nelson asked his mother if he could have a guitar for Christmas.
His family never had much money, but when Christmas
morning came, Nelson just knew what was in that big box under
the tree! He got
his guitar and a chord sheet......and so it began.
Nelson was 12 years old when he started learning to play. There was nothing
else in life as magical as playing that guitar....that is until Nelson
made another discovery.....he could sing! His path was set. Four years
later, Nelson landed his first paying gig in a small club in Aylmer. He
played and sang his heart out for ten dollars per night, four nights per
week while attending school. Three years later, in October, 1984, Nelson
formed his first band, a trio named "Tumbleweed". They performed
throughout Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec playing traditional country,
and the "new" country sound of the time . Nelson left home and
got a place of his own, a 1978 Ford van. All the comforts of home with
four wheels! He spent the summer of '86
living
in that van,
until he met Sylvie. A sail boat ride, a romantic chipwagon lunch.........and
they fell in love. They're still married today, and have a wonderful
daughter.
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That
same year, 1986, Nelson found himself a keyboard player, changed the
name of the band to "Northern Express", and had the busiest
four years ever. Eventually the band broke up and Nelson found himself
working again as a single act. In 1995, his entry into "The Y105
Talent Search" would win him first position on the Y105 Talent Search
compilation CD. After that, Nelson was asked to appear on several local
cable television shows such as The Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall Of
Fame Awards Show, and the Ottawa Heart Institute Telethon.
Encouraged by the successful outcome of the Y105 Talent Search,
Nelson tried to get another group together, but times had changed.
Country
music had changed, and the future didn't look too promising.
One evening during
a rehearsal, a band member suggested that Nelson bring his original
material to well-known steel guitar player, and record producer,
Al Bragg. Nelson
made the call and Al listened to his material. The year was 2000,
and with the help of Al Bragg, Nelson recorded and released his
first two
song CD.
The music was traditional country with just a hint of the new
sound. Nelson distributed his CD to country radio, and to his
delight,
his song "That
Was Then, This Is Now" won first place for an entire week
on country radio station BLAZE 96 FM in Cornwall, Ontario.
Nelson suddenly found himself with a new four piece band, including
Al Bragg of course, who approached Nelson with the idea of
putting together
a major tribute show to Nelsons' absolute influence and king
of country music, George Strait! It took a couple of attempts,
but
now Nelson
is the lead singer and lead guitarist of this exciting new
show named "Pure,
Strait Country".
Nelson says, "Putting this show together was the biggest and hardest
thing I have ever done. We had to record a six song teaser cd, film a
music video for widescreen DVD, build a web site and promote the show..........did
I miss anything?"
If he did miss anything, you can let him know about it by writing nelsoncolt@hotmail.com
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