"Hugely entertaining, intelligently conceived and executed roots rock with a wickedly cool and otherworldly twist on tradition. Estrin’s harp work is masterful." –Living Blues
Rick Estrin and the Nightcats 2021 Blues Foundation Nominations
Rick Estrin & the Nightcats lead the nomination count in this years Blues Music Awards. The virtual ceremony will be presented by The Blues Foundation on June 6, 2021.
Only members of The Blues Foundation can vote for the BMAs. Voting opens on January 28 and closes March 12 at 11:59 p.m. CT. Blues Foundation membership costs as little as $25 per year. Visit www.BLUES.org and click on “Join” to learn about membership, donations, and to help keep the blues thriving around the world.
ICYMI - Rick Estrin & the Nightcats On Can't Stop The Blues
Derrick 'D'Mar' Martin On His Time With Little Richard
Blues Music Magazine
May 2020
by Derrick 'D'Mar' Martin
Today, most blues fans know Derrick 'D'Mar' Martin as the acrobatic drummer with Rick Estrin and the Nightcats. Others may remember him jumpin' the kit with the Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra, and a handful might be familiar with his work with Chris Gill. But I'm sure very, very few know that 'D'Mar' was Little Richard's drummer for 17 years beginning in 1995!
You can read Derrick's story HERE (opens .pdf file) or at BLUES MUSIC ONLINE.
America’s Greatest Musical Showmen: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Rick Estrin & the Nightcats are in Forbes!
by Margie Goldsmith
Forbes - Nov 2019
Singer/songwriter/harmonica player Rick Estrin, who has been called a combination of jive-talking carnival side-show hustler and world class musician is the most colorful and entertaining showman around. Dressed in forties hipster-style sharkskin suits, white shoes, and hair in a pompadour, he and his band Rick Estrin & The Nightcats have just released their latest album, Contemporary. This studio album (their fourth) delivers twelve foot-stomping wise-cracking contemporary songs, a combination of rockabilly, jazz, blues, rock, and big band swing.
Rick Estrin and the Nightcats tour non-stop and receive standing ovations wherever they play. This Sunday, Nov. 24th they will be playing at NYC’s Iridium For the touring schedule, check here. I caught up with Rick Estrin in California the day before he and the band flew to the East Coast for the tour.
Was harmonica your first instrument, and why did you chose it?
My first instrument was guitar, but my father died when I was 15, coinciding with a guy giving me a harmonica and telling me how to play it. I was heartbroken and angry and the harmonica gave me a way to express that. The sound of the harmonica is so close to a human voice that I just felt like I could express myself with it.
When did you start songwriting?
As a teenager. I went on the road for the first time when I was 18 with Rodger Collins, an R&B singer who had a hit record, She's Looking Good. He wrote that song and Wilson Pickett covered it. Collins encouraged me to write.
I always believed I could write songs. I love the way songs are put together and the effect they make. I took a long break from trying to write songs when I was trying to learn classic Chicago blues. Then I got with Little Charlie and when we were signed to Alligator Records in 1986 we used all my songs on the first record so I had to really knuckle down and get to work.