The story of NDB
A California girl with a pre-war Martin guitar, whose musical soul was shaped by the likes of Dylan, Hank Williams, and the lyrical depth of the Romantic poets, crossed paths with an Alabama native wielding a cigar box guitar and a mastery of bottleneck blues. He was a construction worker turned musical savant, whose melodies were as deeply etched as the red dirt of his home. Together, they forged a sound where the ethereal vibes of Laurel Canyon meet the earthy tones of Southern soil, blending their diverse influences into a unique musical journey that defies the ordinary and celebrates the rich tapestry of American music.
Echoes of the Frontier
Nettie & The Delta Boy are drawing a loyal crowd with their
five-hour set list that roams across Middle Tennessee. Blending
original tracks with timeless classics from country, rock, folk,
and blues, their performances echo the raw, vibrant pulse of
American music heritage. Each show is a gritty, intimate
journey through musical landscapes, connecting deeply with
audiences who appreciate the enduring soul of these traditions.
Red Dirt Blues,
West Coast Rhythm
Nettie Rose Freed, born and raised in the vibrant landscape of Santa Monica, California, started her musical journey young, traveling to Nashville in her teens to write and record. Raised in a third-generation music business family and surrounded by the Hollywood scene, she was steeped in a rich musical heritage. Mentored by the multi-instrumentalist, teacher, and composer Fred Sokolow from the age of 8, Nettie was introduced to the classics of American music, learning her first songs like "Jambalaya" by Hank Williams Sr., and diving into the depths of traditional American folk, swing, blues, country, and rock from as early as the 1920s to the 1970s. This eclectic mix is reflected in Nettie and The Delta Boy’s extensive set-list, which includes both unique originals and covers that pay homage to their broad array of influences. Nettie’s vocals, raw with a mix of grit and sweetness, complement her dynamic rhythm playing and fingerpicking style.
Daryl Hill’s story contrasts sharply with Nettie’s. Growing up far from the bright lights of Hollywood in rural North Alabama, Daryl first fell in love with the blues as a child after seeing John Lee Hooker perform "Boogie Chillen" on television. His passion for music followed him to Nashville, where, inspired by the city's rich music scene, he donned bellbottoms and grew his hair long. Although he initially set aside his musical aspirations to work in construction, he later returned to his first love, running Wilson County, Tennessee’s inaugural blues jam for nearly two decades. Armed with his 1969 Thinline Telecaster, Daryl paid tribute to his musical heroes like Albert King and Muddy Waters.
When Nettie and Daryl met, their musical worlds collided. Nettie, with her old guitar, stepped on stage and played old-time folk songs on the smoke-filled stage of a roadhouse. Their music—a blend of the golden, sunlit influences of the 1960s Laurel Canyon folk and rock scene that inspired Nettie, combined with the dusty, country blues from Daryl’s roots—creates a story as unique and compelling as their performance.
NDB
Nettie Rose Freed
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals.
Daryl Hill
Lead Guitar, Dobro, Bottleneck Slide, Vocals.