For band members, it's all about music

Nick Evans Mowery Project has garnered a loyal following across the valley

SPECIAL TO VIEWThe Nick Evans Mowery Project, which includes, from left, bassist Tod Andrews, pianist Yves Frulla, guitarist and vocalist Nick Evans Mowery and drummer Billy Bilger, offers a blues-rock sound with a groove. The band leader is a North Las Vegas resident. Advertisement

Music is life.

That's how North Las Vegas musician Nick Evans Mowery sees it, and he lives his life accordingly.

Mowery is the founder of the Nick Evans Mowery Project, a local rock and blues band that has been making music since 1997.

"We are really just doing our thing, and we are lucky to have such a loyal fan base," Mowery said.

Mowery, the group's lead singer and guitarist, said the band is best known for music with a blues-rock edge and definite groove.

"I think that what we do is so different than what anyone else is doing right now, and that's why when people hear our music, they are hooked," he said.

Mowery said the group, which has changed members a few times through the years, has recorded six albums since 1998 and been on featured playlists of radio stations worldwide.

"It's just about getting your music heard and doing what you love," he said.

The group was operating as a trio for part of 2009, but things came together last summer when Mowery enlisted the final addition to the four-man ensemble, keyboardist Yves Frulla, after posting an ad on Craigslist.com.

"I had no expectation that it would work out or that I would find a real, quality musician. So, I was pleasantly surprised when the first person to respond was this great guy with such an extensive background. And he didn't try to sell himself. He just came in for an audition and blew us away," Mowery said.

Frulla said he joined the band after meeting Mowery and listening to him play.

"I knew that I had managed to find a musician's musician," Frulla said. "This guy has been around the block. And his original stuff is good."

The pair said there is little room for ego in the band, and the songwriting, along with creating dynamic set lists, has become a democratic and creative process in which all the band's members, including drummer Billy Bilger and bass player Tod Andrews, are involved.

"We have a creative process that just works. And I think that comes through in our music," Frulla said.

Mowery said his ultimate goals are for the group to become a house band at one of the local casinos and to continue to produce original music.

"We are working to get our music on soundtracks and continue to get our names out there. We have been at this for a long time. I think we've earned a shot," he said.

The group is set to play the Cheyenne Saloon, 3103 N. Rancho Drive, at 9 p.m. Jan. 29. Admission is $5.

For more information, visit www.tboystudio.com.

Contact North Las Vegas and Downtown View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.