March 22, 2023 — Last week, Mountain Home Music Company congratulated co-songwriters Darren Nicholson and Charles Humphrey III on their No. 1 song, “Arkansas Without You,” which Nicholson recorded and released early this year.
Though he’s released plenty of solo recordings over the years, Nicholson — a western North Carolina singer/songwriter/instrumentalist — took a big new step forward with the song’s release, his first since concluding a 15-year tenure as a founding member of award-winning bluegrass quintet, Balsam Range.
“Arkansas Without You” hits hard right out of the gate with a fresh new sound, signified by the driving banjo of progressive maestro, Wes Corbett (Sam Bush Band). Over propulsive backing from Corbett, bassist Zack Smith (Town Mountain), Colby Laney on guitar, fiddler Billy Contreras and his own signature mandolin, Nicholson lays out a classic tale of spurned love, jealousy, murder and regret revealed through oblique sketches rather than direct narrative, as he and harmony singers Jennifer Nicholson and Derek Vaden (Larry Stephenson Band), serve up a memorable chorus:
Last night I had a dream
One worth fighting for
I was in your loving arms
I wasn’t lonesome any more
’Til I awoke cold and blue
In Arkansas without you
“It was an honor to co-write ‘Arkansas Without You’ with Darren. I think the song tells an intriguing story and has a powerful melody,” says Humphrey. “The band got a great cut on the song and the production from Mountain Home studios is top notch! I’m proud to have been a small part of the creative process with my good buddy.”
Nicholson adds, “A story song always reels me in. I’m grateful to have penned‘Arkansas Without You‘ with Charles, who is a fabulous story teller. The band and harmony singers knocked it out of the park on this recording. The whole process has been a pleasure. Thanks to Mountain Home, the stations spinning it and the listeners. We want to keep cranking out good tunes and are honored by this showing of support for our music.”
Listen to “Arkansas Without You” HERE. The song is streaming in Dolby Atmosspatial audio on Apple Music, Amazon Music and TIDAL.
About Darren Nicholson
Darren Nicholson is a bluegrass and Americana musician based in Haywood County in the mountains of western North Carolina. A GRAMMY-nominee and recipient of multiple International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, Darren has appeared countless times on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry, at the Ryman Auditorium, CMT, GAC, and many of the world’s most famous venues and networks. Darren is also renowned as a solo artist, session musician, and songwriter. After concluding a 15-year tenure as a founding member of award-winning bluegrass quintet, Balsam Range, Darren is taking the next step forward and releasing music of his own.