Singer/Songwriter, Nikki Hill called “fast-rising” and “hard-charging” by “LA Weekly,” and touted by fans to be the “new queen of rock and roll,” will headline Chase Away the Blues on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Tryon Fine Arts Center.
The blues benefit concert sponsored by Spartanburg’s Pacolet Milliken will start at 6 p.m. with continuous music until 11 p.m.
Nikki Hill, backed by husband Matt Hill on guitar, bass-player Ed Strohsahl and drummer Joe Meyer, brings her high energy show to Tryon as part of a tour playing clubs and blues festivals throughout the US, Europe, Scandinavia and Australia. Nikki and the band started touring in fall 2011.
Now with two CDs under their belts in two years, they are rising to the top of the roots music scene, churning out original and classic tunes crossing all genres including R&B, rock and roll.
“Rock N Roll Magazine” says “If there has been a better original blues bopper released this year than ‘I Got A Man’, I haven’t heard it yet.”  “Portland Monthly” calls her “a petite powerhouse, with a booming that is as sweet and luscious as it is gritty and raw.” “LA Weekly” says, “Just try to keep up with her”.
Blues are played throughout the center in three different venues.  Nikki headlines a slate of blues players on the main stage including Upstate bands Mill Billy Blues and Zataban, and Asheville chanteuse Peggy Ratusz. Blues keyboardist Tommy Lytle will be on hand early in the evening in a cozy venue downstairs in the building. Keyboardist/singer Jim Peterman, joined by Dr. Blues, Chuck Beattie from Asheville, will keep the blues playing nonstop in the center’s lobby entertaining patrons between main stage sets.  A jam session on the main stage with an unpredictable mix of players will bring it all home in the final climax in an evening of highlights.
Proceeds from the third annual Chase Away the Blues benefit will fund operations at Tryon Fine Arts Center.
VIP and general admission tickets are available All tickets allow entry to the three music venues, with a special lounge providing complimentary food and drink available for VIP ticket holders.  For tickets, call 828-859-8322 or visit www.tryonarts.org.
Tryon Fine Arts Center is a nonprofit organization that operates and programs a 300-seat performance venue and 150-seat amphitheater for music, opera, theatre, dance, and lectures on Melrose Avenue in Tryon, North Carolina.