Ron Nicolai

  EXPERIENCE: Associate of Arts Degree w/a Major in Music from Almeda University. Recorded/produced CD of 12 original songs titled “Waitin’ for the Sun”. Produced songwriter showcase concerts for Connecticut Songwriters Association. Served on the C.S.A. Songwriters song screening and evaluation committee. Semifinalist, American Song Festival Lyric Competition 7, professional category Top 10% Merit Award in UNISONG International Song Contest professional category Top 10%...

  EXPERIENCE: Associate of Arts Degree w/a Major in Music from Almeda University. Recorded/produced CD of 12 original songs titled “Waitin’ for the Sun”. Produced songwriter showcase concerts for Connecticut Songwriters Association. Served on the C.S.A. Songwriters song screening and evaluation committee. Semifinalist, American Song Festival Lyric Competition 7, professional category Top 10% Merit Award in UNISONG International Song Contest professional category Top 10% Honorable Mention in Music City Song Festival professional category. 3 Honorable Mentions in World Music Song Contest, professional category. I authored beginners and intermediate guitar instruction manuals. Played acoustic/electric & bass guitar & vocals for artists’ recordings. Taught guitar, bass guitar & music theory privately & in studios for 15 years. Played w/Country Connections' band of the year at San Dimas Holiday Inn. Performed for Chevy Chase Country Clubs' annual summer awards dinner, Ca. 2 Private parties at Malibu Racquet Club & stars' homes in Malibu, Ca.  1 Concert with Rosalind Grahams' Gospel group for an L.A. charity. Televised on PBS Ch. 58, "Coffeehouse" program, Marina Del Rey, Ca.  Performed at Woodland Hills, Ca. Ruebens' restaurant lounge. Solo performance at Horseshoe Casino lounge, Bell Gardens, Ca.  Performed w/the Viva Fresh Cantina lounge house band in Burbank, Ca. Performed at Highland Grounds, Stageleft & Know Where coffee houses in Ca. W/Hubbard Orchestra, New Haven, Ct. Yacht Club Party for Americas Cup Winners. Televised w/"PEGASUS" Ch. 3 Annual Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, Hartford, Ct. Performed at the New London Holiday Inn lounge & the Mystic Steakhouse, Ct. Televised on Ch. 22 “STARSTRUCK" talent program, Springfield, Ma. 6 concerts for Hubbard Park MPTF Summer Music Concert Series, Meriden, Ct. Performed for New Haven, Ct. Country Clubs' annual summer barbecue party. 2 concerts for the Hartford Institute of Living, Hartford, Ct. Performed at The Tavern on the Green, New Haven, Ct. 4 concerts, C.S.A. Songwriters’ Showcase, soloist & w/my band "PEGASUS". Performed at the Southington Country Club lounge, Ct. 3 Band performances at Palisades Park, N.J. summer music concerts. Performed at Powder Ridge and Mt. Southington ski resort lodges, Ct. Played w/house bands at several N.Y. Catskill Mountains' ranch & ski resorts. Performed at Brannigans’, The Broken Wheel and Mauris’ lounges, Ct. Performed at Merroticas’, Jillys’, Crawdaddys’, Mickey Finns’& Petes’ in Fl.   STUDIED WITH: Lenny Pugliese, Professional Musician, Performer and Guitarist for the Four Seasons  Bill Leavitt, Berklee College of Music Instructor/Author, Musician and Performer Al Faraldi, Professional N.Y. Musician, Performer and Teacher Emile DeCosmo, Professional N.J. Musician, Performer, Teacher and Author   PERFORMANCE REVIEWS “Nicolai displayed a wide range of styles…quiet ballads mix with solid rave-ups and only a quick guitar change breaks the action. His original songs are brisk and tight, with a feel for that AM radio sound that breeds success.” – Jim Zebora, Meriden Record-Journal, Ct.   “Ron Nicolai is an outstanding singer, guitarist and entertainer, who has a carefully crafted performance which appeals to all age groups. I find him extremely likeable and that he possesses a great audience rapport.” – Ivan Hubbard, Watstein/Hubbard Entertainment Agency   “Ron Nicolai is an exciting, professional, solo performer, guitarist and singer of contemporary music, from the fifties to the eighties. His performances range through a variety of styles including Rock, Jazz, Blues and Pop, with humor, sing-alongs and audience participation. From flat-picking Country/Rock songs of the Grateful Dead and James Taylor, to the mellow acoustic sounds of Neil Diamond and Jim Croce, to the driving electric Rock of Van Morrison, Rod Stewart and Kenny Loggins; Nicolai maintains control over a vocal range of softly whispered phrases to belting powerful and soulful Rock and Blues vocals. Rons’ concerts are also interspersed with musically intricate Jazz instrumentals and emotional, thought-provoking original songs.” - Ivan Hubbard, Watstein/Hubbard Entertainment Agency