“A touch of Cash fused with early 90’s Barenaked Ladies style rock.”
– Neil Shumate, Out of the Blue

“That repetitive “bum bum bum” hooks the listener, and Wilkinson’s blend of throaty shouts and sweeter, melodic singing makes for an interesting and engaging listen. The track is a little Gin Blossoms with that sardonic Springsteen Americana sound that appeals to so many. It’s a singalong tune for the disaffected, and only Nick Wilkinson and The Featured Players could pull it off with such passion and fervor.”
–Brittany Nader, Buzzbin Magazine Online

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Nick Wilkinson and the Featured Players began as a joke. A serious joke, but they never planned to be a permanent band. In 2011, songwriter, Nick Wilkinson, was looking to play a Battle of the Bands with a full group for the first time in 4 years. Joined by bassist, Devin T. Simmons and drummer, Jeffrey Matheny, the group took Nick’s acoustic folk, 90′s flared songs, and turned them into so much more.

Now, Nick Wilkinson and the Featured Players, consists of Nick Wilkinson, Jeffrey Matheny, and Kevin McManus and has released their first 3-song EP entitled “Nothing For Now”. Their plan is to play shows rigorously and tour in 2013. A full length album is also in the works.

Nick Wilkinson and the Featured Players has supported bands such as Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown, The Missing, Burning Down Broadway, Tess Wiley and more bands to numerous to list.

STORY

Ohio-born songwriter Nick Wilkinson draws from his rural upbringing to deliver unapologetically on wanderlust and love. His live shows have quickly gained a reputation for the enthusiasm and drama on stage. Nick was joined in 2010 by drummer Jeff Matheny and bassist Devin Simmons for a one off Battle of the Bands show, and after overwhelming response, decided to make it a thing. The Featured Players has seen a rotating cast but has solidified with bassist Kevin McManus (Burning Down Broadway) and legendary Akron guitarist Joe Golden. Whether solo or with The Featured Players, he brings a certain honesty to the stage that can only come from singing from the heart. He’s in the studio now with The Featured Players recording his much anticipated follow up to the 2012 EP “Nothing For Now” that was called “one of the first gems to be released in 2012” by Buzzbin Magazine.

INFLUENCES

Clem Snide, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Josh Ritter, Johnny Cash