Tag Archives: Country

Hangin' with the Muzik Mafia

Muzik Mafia on Stage

This past Tuesday night was our last M.A.F.I.A. Tuesday at Boston’s on the Beach. For this last event, the Muzik Mafia sent down part of their army and what an incredible experience! The Mafia sent us Jon Nicholson, Shannon Lawson, Damien Horne, Rachel Kice, and SWJ.

Damien Horne with the HillBilly Hotties

Rachel Kice, Heidi and SWJ

We’ve met Damien Horne and Shannon Lawson at previous M.A.F.I.A. Tuesday events, but having them back and having them together was really amazing. Unless you have been to a Muzik Mafia event and have seen more than one of their artists at a time, you do not have a full appreciation for how talented the Mafia members are. Not only are they each incredibly talented individuals, but when they work together they really put on an amazing show. It is almost like they just know what each other is thinking. From SWJ “spittin’ shit” and Damien Horne Freestyling about HillBilly to Jon Nicholson’s unique blend of Blues and Soul and Shannon Lawson’s Southern Soul, you are guarenteed to be amazed and thoroughly entertained. For your visual entertainment, the beautiful Rachel Kice will astonish you with world class style in her paintings.  All told, the last M.A.F.I.A. Tuesday event was by far the most incredible.

Jon Nicholson Jamming

The Mafia Jammin'

After the show we got a chance to hang out on the patio with the Muzik Mafia while they jammed. If you think their live stage performance is cool and you get an appreciation for how talented the artists are, you are in for another surprise in a jam session. Jon Nicholson and Shannon Lawson were workin’ together with Jon playing his guitar while Shannon showed off his amazing voice. When you hear these guys without the benefit of a mixing board or an amplifier you truly realize why they are signed artists and the rest of the world is not. The Mafia needs to change their assertion that Rachel Kice is the only non-musical member of the Muzik Mafia. She took Jon’s guitar and not only is a skilled guitarist, but can also SING. Time to change the web site guys! The biggest surpise that I had is how beautiful SWJ is. I’ve seen many pictures of her and always thought she was cute, but up close and personal, all I can say is WOW (and she looks really cute in the HillBilly cowboy hat too)! I think I have a little crush on her (don’t tell my wife).

Rachel Kice

Muzik Mafia

We tried to hang with the Mafia as long as we could, but at 4 a.m. we decided we should get home because we all had to work in the morning (we all ended up calling in sick). I am sure they went on much later (or earlier depending on how you look at it) than we did. All told, I can’t wait to see them again. My wife and I won an auction for a trip to Nashville for Mafia Tuesday and it can’t come soon enough.

Damien Horne

You really have to hand it to the Muzik Mafia. I am not sure eclectic is a strong enough term to describe the range of talent associated with the Muzik Mafia. Certainly incredible isn’t a strong enough term to describe the talent associated with the Muzik Mafia. Last night at M.A.F.I.A. Tuesdays at Boston’s on the Beach in Delray Beach, FL (sponsored by WIRK 107.9, Boston’s on the Beach, HillBillyBrand.com, Budweiser, and the Muzik Mafia), Damien Horne (A.K.A. Mista D) was the special guest. I listened to his music on his MySpace page the night before and I was very curious to how Damien was going to fit into the mix of Amber Leigh’s pop and traditional country and Shy Blakeman’s Southern Rock sounds. Damien’s MySpace page describes his musical style as Rock/R&B/Soul. Not exactly a good blend with Amber & Shy. Boy was I wrong. First of all Damien knows how to engage an audience. From the story of how he got started (Damien was homeless when he was discovered by John Rich) to selecting songs that kept the audience listening. My only complaint about Damien’s performance which ranges from acoustic solos to freestyling rap was that it was way too short. Damien is clearly a star, but he does not act like a star, he was very cordial and took the time to talk to everyone and anyone who approached him. He hung out in the audience and even jumped in on one of Shy’s songs. I can’t really say how he did it, but he managed to work Boston’s on the Beach, Delray Beach, and HillBilly all into his freestyle. Needless to say Mr. Horne gained at least one (if not more) fan last night. Hopefully we will be hosting Damien Horne in Nashville for an autograph session in our booth at the CMA Music Festival in June.