About Nancy
southwestern americana music, stories, and poems
At thirteen, a friend taught me a few guitar chords, and the next year I got my first 12 string. Inspired by the music of John Denver, Batdorf and Rodney, and America, I began writing simple songs and playing folk music at campfires, weddings and local festivals.
A couple of years after High School found me in Abilene, Texas with its wild and woolly mix of a low drinking age (that being 18), public dance halls and private clubs, where I sang Linda Ronstadt and Willie Nelson covers behind chicken wire. I made a living playing one night a week for several months at string of local establishments such as Mel Tillis's "The Old Sawmill", The Town Crier Steakhouse, and a pool bar, whose name I can't remember (might be a good thing). I got out of Abilene with my guitar, my ‘70 Chevy Impala 350, some real good stories, and 10 stitches around my eye from one of those nights there was not enough chicken wire in Texas to protect the band.
Back in Ohio, and on the local Dayton folk scene, I played Sam's on 5th, The Trolley Stop in the Oregon District, and opening night at Mick Montgomery's Canal Street Tavern, also later tended bar there. From Brisco's Lounge, to The Winds Café, Tuty's Inn and others it was time of stage hopping with friends; solid, paying sit down gigs. Coming to Arizona in 1990, I discovered Western & Cowboy music and Katy Creek Band was born, lasting thirteen years and four albums. Seeking wider and broader opportunities, including for “The Heart of It All” story and song concerts, I blended my loves of Folk and the West, creating the "South~Western Americana" genre.
“Tall Tree," first in the genre, released in January of 2019. Second is “Bluebirds Singing On The Buffalo Road.” Bare bones, just me and my guitars with harmony vocals on a few songs, it includes “Lightning Woman Danced,” “ By Moon or No Moon,” refreshed recordings of “Autumn’s On Its Way" and “Wild Rose,” and “The Ruby Handled Knife,” a poem inspired while writing the book, “Autumn’s On Its Way,” which released January of 2024.