Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicholas Mccord.
Nicholas, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
God – Family – Work
Those three words, in that exact order, were said to me on a daily basis from my parents. Growing up in a split family helped me to learn that putting those words into action in that exact order was a bit of a struggle. However, the music got me through that struggle each and every day. I picked a guitar up at twelve years old which was givin’ to me by my Grandpa, Vern Johnson. Sadly, he passed away soon after but left me with the most cherished item I could ever have, my guitar. Since then, I’ve sung in Churches at the young age of fourteen and later sang in many bars at the age of twenty-one. I’ve been on TV shows such as American Idol and X-Factor but sadly have never gotten quite to the level that I wanted to be in the music industry. There have been many instances that I’ve walked into record labels and been told, “Your music is a solid NINE but we are looking for TENS”. Trust me, hearing statements like that from the big guys really put your passion and determination to a halt and make you second guess why you’re even trying to be in the music industry. But, looking back at those three words, God – Family – Work, gives you that extra motivation.
I currently have a beautiful daughter named Madelyn, a new one-year-old perfect son named Henry and an amazingly talented wife named Christan. My family helps me to remember to never give up and to always work for something you love. I just recently released my first album titled “Lost in Love” on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Music. My new single titled “Right by my Side” features a great artist by the name of Akon and has already risen above 150 thousand streams. Being heard locally and creating some buzz around my hometown, the DFW metroplex, is currently my main goal! Lastly, I would like everyone to know this. I pray every night, I love my family unconditionally every day and I do nothing but work hard to accomplish my dream of one day succeeding in this crazy music industry. God, Family, and Work are my three words that help me get through life every day. I hope that anyone out there reading this can find the three words that matter most to them and take life head-on with nothing but success!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The struggles in music have been real and very humbling, to say the least! I started making records at eighteen years old and being turned down shortly after by multiple record labels. The ratings that I was getting about my music only confused me more each and every time. These executives would tell us that we were putting out solid music that rated nine out of ten. Unfortunately, they would always follow those statements with things like, “we don’t need nines, we need tens”. I tried my luck at the good ole music TV shows and got decently far on most of them. X-Factor season three, aired my audition and was one for the history books that’s for sure. Judges Simon Cowell, LA Reid, Demi Lovato and Brittney Spears were all staring at me as I sang my song in front of three thousand people. They not only told me I wasn’t going through but also ridiculed my dressing attire while at the same time insisting that I was a homosexual all while my wife and family stood side stage and watched. Yeah I know, crazy but true, it’s even on YouTube. That was a heart breaker but I got back up and went straight to American Idol the next year. They took me right away and said yes! I went through many auditions even being aired multiple times. The judges absolutely loved me and just when I felt like nothing could stop me know, they sent me home during group stages. I felt like giving up and moving on from music because I had a family to support bills to pay and this music thing just seemed childish. Well, here I am today many years later releasing my first album and hoping that my hard work will pay off.
We’d love to hear more about your music.
I am a local singer/songwriter and just recently put out a new album as stated in the previous answers. My real name is Nicholas Mccord but go by NIC Rhodes. I actually came up with this artist’s name mainly because the fender Rhodes piano is one of my favorite all-time instruments. My son’s middle name is actually named after it as well, Henry Rhodes. Singing and songwriting are my most favorite things to do and I feel I do a good job at it lol. My style of music is all over the place but I feel it sets me apart in the DFW music scene mainly because it isn’t hip-hop or rap. The production and overall sound of our tracks really stand out as well and give a professional sound that most songs lack nowadays.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Just being real is what sets me apart from others in this industry. I’m not afraid to hide the fact that I’m a happily married man, have two amazing children and live in the country out in Burleson TX! People wanna see the realness in today’s generation. Hopefully through my personality people can see what it’s like to love music and live life to the fullest.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/the_NIC_rhodes
- Facebook: Facebook.com/theNICrhodes
- Twitter: twitter.com/theNICrhodes
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7GFCRmCVK1LqzDkoIAON3a
Image Credit:
Ashley Rutland Photography
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