Nathan's Story
EDGY. DYNAMIC. POWERFUL. These are all common adjectives used to describe the music of blues-rock guitarist, Nathan Pope. Originally from the heart of North Carolina, Nathan received his first guitar at the age of 2 and was teaching himself to play by the age of 7. He gives credit to his Grandmother, Doris Powell, for her inspiration and love of music.
Nathan spent years going to blues jams where he honed his craft under the mentoring of some of the area's finest musicians. For years now, Nathan has been performing at festivals and venues across the state with a band of his own and has even been featured in NC's renowned Our State Magazine as a blues guitar prodigy. For several summers Nathan ventured to Clarksdale, Mississippi for the Pinetop Perkins Foundation Workshop where he studied under the likes of Bob Margolin, Jonn Del Toro Richardson, Victor Wainwright, and Christone "Kingfish" Ingram.
In 2016 he represented the Triangle Blues Society in the Youth Showcase at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2018 the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society honored him with their Mike Carr Junior Bluesman of the Year Award. He also released his first CD, I'm Not Alone, in 2018 which showcases his blues-rock roots. Nathan has received the tremendous honor of being selected as the 1st place winner of the top 10 guitarists under the age of 20 in the world by the Dallas International Guitar Show in 2021. This year he was nominated for Best Rock Artist by the prestigious Carolina Music Awards!
The release of his new full-length album highlights 2022 after a full year of devotion to the project. "Waiting There For Me" truly encompasses Nathan's heart and soul. The album is full of powerful blues-rock with a new generation punch. Nathan grew up listening to roots rockers from Eric Johnson and Gary Moore to Joe Bonamassa and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Eleven of the twelve songs on the album are originals that are all about the influences and inspirations of those who came before him but done in a way that brings forth his own style to this talent-filled genre.
His notable performances across North Carolina include Shakori Hill Grassroots Festivals, The Carolina Blues Festival, Centerfest, Sparkcon, Rowan Jazz and Blues Festival, The Rabbit Hole, Hippie Fest, Sunrise Theater's Blues Crawl, Fat Frogg, The Blind Tiger, and Motorco. He has also performed at King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, AR, Ground Zero Blues Club in MS, and The Dallas International Guitar Festival.
Nathan has a devoted follow with over 2,500 followers on social media platforms. He has proven that he can capture audiences in shows from modest indoor corners to large outdoor stages, from local markets to sharing stages with national touring professionals. Nathan never fails to entertain the crowd and leave them wanting more.
Review
Sometimes you just "feel" it.
You know what I mean: those chill-bumps that move up and down your arms when your hear the blues played so sweetly it hurts?
Yup, that feeling.
It happened to a whole room of blues fans when we all experienced the talent of young Nathan Pope on a December night at our Christmas Party. It happened when we knew the person playing was connecting emotionally and mentally to the music. That is Nathan Pople. Armed with a Goldtop and talent to match, Nathan brought a maturity to his interpretation of blues classics and his originals.
Personally, I'm looking forward to watching this young performer continue to grow and develop. Blues has a new bright star on the horizon. His name is Nathan Pope.
-Mary London Szpara, President Charlotte Blues Society
As a composer, he is lightyears ahead of his age, sliding up and down the scales like there is no tomorrow. He can make his instrument howl like a banshee and purr like a contented kitten.
~Hans Werksman, Here Comes The Flood blog
At home with Bob Margolin
Junior Bluesman of the Year Award
Opener for Grammy Winner Mike Farris