Johnny Nicholas and Duke Robillard take to the UNITED stage for an evening of songs and stories sung and told by two lifelong friends who grew up in Westerly and went on to become internationally famous recording artists and American roots music icons. Johnny and Duke will share insights into how the phenomenon of Southern Rhode Island blues, R&B, Swing and Jazz developed in this unique pocket of New England in the 50s and 60s.
Doors: 6:30pm - Show: 7:30pm - all ages / Tickets: $30
ABOUT JOHNNY NICHOLAS
Johnny Nicholas is a masterful multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and singer whose music spans blues, rock, Cajun, western swing, honky tonk, and boogie woogie. With a warm, gravelly voice and an uncanny ability to bring any instrument to life, Nicholas is known for his deeply rooted yet endlessly innovative sound. Over a five-decade career, he’s learned firsthand from blues legends like Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Lockwood Jr., and Johnny Shines, crafting a full-spectrum Americana style that reflects the rich musical traditions of Ann Arbor, Chicago, South Louisiana, and his longtime home of Texas.
Marcia Ball calls him “an extremely engaging innovative traditionalist,” and it’s clear why — Nicholas’s songs feel timeless, his performances unforgettable. Whether mesmerizing a quiet room or igniting a festival crowd, he plays with unmatched conviction and soul. His 2021 album Mistaken Identity showcases his eclecticism and heart, blending genres and generations into a collection of original roots music that’s as real and resonant as the man himself.
ABOUT DUKE ROBILLARD
Duke Robillard is a renowned American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and bandleader celebrated for his command of blues, jump R&B, swing, and roots rock. He co-founded Roomful of Blues in 1967 in Westerly, Rhode Island, helping to define a jump blues revival that garnered national attention. After leaving the band in 1979, he formed the Duke Robillard Band (later Duke Robillard & the Pleasure Kings) and went on to collaborate with artists like Robert Gordon, the Legendary Blues Band, Herb Ellis, and Bob Dylan. He also briefly joined the Fabulous Thunderbirds, stepping in for Jimmie Vaughan.
Robillard’s solo career has earned him multiple W.C. Handy Awards, Grammy nominations, and a reputation as a “guitarist’s guitarist.” His extensive discography showcases a deep respect for tradition alongside an inventive spirit, with standout albums like Duke’s Blues, Blue Mood: The Songs of T-Bone Walker, and more recently They Called It Rhythm and Blues (2022) and Roll with Me (2024). Whether fronting his own band or producing for others, Robillard continues to shape the sound of American blues with authenticity and flair.
TICKET NOTE: Please note that this is a fully seated show in the Black Box auditorium. You can choose your seating location. All tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The United is not liable for any tickets purchased from a third-party seller.
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