Nate Myers & The Aces

The Daily Times/Delmarva Now! (Salisbury, MD)

To play the stages of area venues, music acts no longer need to be pop to be popular -- or rock, for that matter.
Just ask singer-songwriter Nate Myers. He and his band, the Aces, formed in 2004 and were quickly embraced by nightspots up and down the East Coast -- despite the fact that much of his music is old-school blues which is based around his instrument of choice, the harmonica.

"On the musical food chain, the guitar is at the top," Myers said. "The harmonica usually hovers at the bottom with the banjo and the accordion. It sneaks into a lot of stuff, though. These days the harmonica is a layered instrument in a lot songs you hear on the radio, even pop songs."
The Harrisburg, Pa.-based quartet is rounded out by guitarist Chris Purcell, bassist Pete Netznik and drummer Mike Noll.
The group made its Delaware debut when promoter Vikki Walls selected it to play her inaugural Dewey Beach Americana festival. Walls, in turn, introduced the band to booking agent Chris Lausch of the Dogfish Head brewpub in downtown Rehoboth Beach, where the group will perform Saturday.
"Dogfish Head is the first club we've ever played where they've asked us to play our original music. Usually it's the other way around -- the people that run the club are asking us to play cover songs instead of originals."
The quartet's songs such as "Jaeger and Waffles," "When Are You Coming" and "Beauty All Around" -- all of which can be heard on its MySpace page -- have been received so well by Dogfish audiences that the band now plays the club once per month.
The group has also gone over well in states as far away as Tennessee and Mississippi.
The fact that Americana music is in the midst of a full-blown wave of popularity has helped.
"Roots music is really catching on. I think people are looking for something different," Myers said. "When I was in highschool, I was a skateboarder and I was into punk music, which really isn't that far removed from rockabilly.
"There are always going to be people who are looking for music which is outside of the mainstream. There are bands out there like the Gourds who are mixing everything from rap to bluegrass."
Myers said the key is to keep the audience's toes tapping and booties shaking. "Some musicians thrive on applause, but I thrive on dancing," he said. "I'm in this because I want to be an entertainer." - Roger Hillis, The Daily Times/Delmarva Now! (5/24/2007)

The Daily Item (Sunbury, PA)

Although Old Man Winter has been causing havoc with snow and ice storms these last few weeks, this Friday night, downtown Williamsport will be a real scorcher.

No, it’s not global warming, but Nate Myers & the Aces, fronted by Selinsgrove native Nate Myers. The blues band, infused with a high dose of rock-a-billy and a dash of country, will perform their annual show at the Bullfrog Brewery.

“We always enjoying performing, but when we have the chance to perform back near my hometown, it is always really cool and the audience is always the best,” Mr. Myers said. “For me, getting up on stage and having that interaction with the audience is the best part about being a musician. Knowing you entertained these people after a long work week is a great thing.”

Established in 2001 and based in Harrisburg, Nate Myers & The Aces have rightfully gained their place as one of the most entertaining and respected bands in Central Pennsylvania, with a sound that is smoking hot.

In addition to Mr. Myers on lead vocals and harmonic, the Aces consist of Chris Purcell on guitar and vocals, Mike Noll on drums and vocals, and the multi-tasking Pete Netznik on bass, guitar and vocals.

“People should expect to see an original band whose front man is a true entertainer and really cares about the crowd and making sure they have a good time,” said Mr. Purcell. “It’s really about connecting with people for Nate and that’s what makes him such a good front man and in my opinion keeps people coming back.”

Over the years, the band has performed to enthusiastic audiences across the Mid-Atlantic at such venues as concert halls, nightclubs, college campuses, bars and outdoor festivals.

During a typical show, audiences can hear influences from many forms of American music as well as blues, hip hop, country, funk and improvisation.

“It’s really hard to describe our style of music. We’re not just a total blues band,” Mr. Myers said. “We can kick things up with some rock-a-billy or some Johnny Cash.”

Mr. Myers, a 1992 graduate of Selinsgrove Area High School and a 1996 graduate of Bloomsburg University with a degree in social work, is the son of Lynn and Joe Myers, of the Selinsgrove area.

Since their formation, the band has released three CDs: their self-produced CD “Rise Above It,” “The Lonesome Plowboy” and “Merc Ace 13 Music Co.” The band is currently putting the finishing touches on their fourth CD, “Persist,” due out in late March.

“We have a lot of fun playing and I think that shows through to the audience and they more often than not join in on the fun,” Mr. Noll said. “We’re pretty high-energy, we involve the audience in our shows and if people get crazy, so do we. We’re all pretty friendly, up-beat guys, so please, come up and say ‘hi’ and let us know what you think.”

In January 2006, the band represented Williamsport’s Billtown Blues Association at the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn.

On a solo note, Mr. Myers has shared the stage with many national artists including Bruce Katz, Big Jack Johnson, E.G. Kight, The Nighthawks, Carey Bell, Billy Price, Robin Trower, Rod Piazza and Luther Allison.

“Our music is the one thing that makes me truly happy and there’s nothing better than having that one thing to be passionate about,” said Mr. Purcell. “The best part of performing is being able to forget about everything, relax and just play and hopefully along the way helping some people do the same thing relax and just forget even if it’s only for a little while.”

- Jeffrey Allen Federowicz, The Daily Item (2/28/2008)

Sun-Gazette (Williamsport, PA)

On Sunday, the ballroom of the Genetti Hotel was on fire with the blues.
The Billtown Blues Association’s 2005 Billtown Blues Challenge attracted six regional bands, each vying for a chance to open the association’s blues festival June 12 at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds in Hughesville. The winner also is eligible, if they choose, to represent the association at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
When the smoke cleared, harmonica player Nate Myers and his band the Aces were declared the winner, by virtue of ballots cast by association members. Myers, the final act of the evening, opened his half-hour set with the self-penned instrumental “Jawbreaker” — then preceded to whip the crowd into a frenzy with his extraordinary stage presence and musicianship.
It helped that the Aces, guitarist Mark Facazio, bassist Pete Netznick, pianist-vocalist Trent Peechatka and drummer Mike Noll, are all world-class musicians. They proved that Sunday.
But Myers is a showman of the highest order. A talented harmonica player, vocalist and song-writer, he is also a towering presence onstage — and off. At one point he played harmonica while laying face-down among a crowd on the dance floor in front of the stage.
Myers could be the new face of the blues. With his shaved head, earrings, tattoos and Chuck Taylor shoes, he’s not your father’s — or grandfather’s — blues musician.
But those who are savvy to his work — with the Aces and previously as a member of the Krypton City Blues Revue — know he is a dedicated blues man through and through. His style pays reverent homage to the legends while breaking new ground by occasionally interjecting rap with the blues, and pulling it off with aplomb.
Myers, who professes a deep faith in God, is as humble and gracious off stage as he is confident and swaggering in the spotlight.
“We need to prepare ourselves (for Memphis),” he said following the announcement of the winner. “The competition is going to be real stiff. We’re going to go down there and give it our best shot.”
Although their set was jaw-dropping fantastic, Nate and the band didn’t run away with the victory. They accumulated a total of almost 1,200 points in five categories, but less than 200 points separated the winner from third place finisher Octavia and the Earthbloods Blues Band.
In between was competition runner-up Black and Blues — a local three-piece unit comprised of guitarist Sean Farley, bassist Matt Stopper and drummer Rich Cummings. The band, which held the third slot of the night, played a impressive set that transformed the crowd from polite spectators into enthusiastic participants.
Although they are youngsters — at least by blues standards — Black and Blues proved they’ve done their homework by stoking the crowd with well-performed renditions of blues classics, such as “The Thrill is Gone.”
If not for a band of blues veterans with a flamboyant and talented front man (Myers), Black and Blues would be booking hotel rooms in Memphis.
There were really no weak links in the evening’s line-up. Octavia and the Earthbloods Blues Band, fronted by guitarist-harmonica player-vocalist Octavia, played a raucous set to an appreciative crowd.
Other performers included local blues and jazz fixture Doug McMinn, blues-oriented jam band Slaughterhouse Blues, and Midnight Shift, a band fronted by harmonica player-vocalist Mike Mettalia. Each act performed admirably.
Even before the winner was announced, organizers were confident that whoever won would be a fine representative of the association.
“It doesn’t matter who wins now, because whoever does, we’re going to have a strong opening act (at the festival),” Kathleen McQuaid, a member of the blues challenge audition committee, said.
The 16th annual Billtown Blues Festival is set to begin at noon Sunday June 12 at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds. Nate Myers and the Aces will join national acts Microwave Dave and the Nukes, The Bruce Katz Band, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Nora Jean Bruso, Michael Burks, and Billy Price. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate.
Advance ticket locations include Franco’s Lounge, and the Genetti Hotel, both in Williamsport, the Lockard Agency, Hughesville, Bookseller of Lewisburg, Senor Frog, Bloomsburg, and Greatest Hits Music, Lock Haven.
Information and advanced ticket forms are available from the association’s Web site at www.billtownblues.org. - David Thompson, Sun-Gazette (3/24/2005)

Briggs Farm Blues Festival
July 7-8, 2005

Nate Myers & The Aces came on stage with a no nonsense, tight, melodic and personable approach to music that was refreshing.

Nate Myers (vocal/harmonica) was not only a very good musician but also one of the best singers of the festival.

They were the best band of Day#2 for sure, and I bought two CDs. - Jeremy dePrisco, Art In Society (July 2005)

The Daily Item (Sunbury, PA)

A band is only as good as the music they select to perform. The right songs can make a band hit the right groove, while the wrong tunes can cause a snooze. For Selinsgrove native Nate Myers and his band, The Aces, getting the right mood music is a must.
“The writing process in this band is a team effort. I will write the majority of the music and lyrics but everyone contributes,” Myers said. “The other guys in the band also write ... so we all have our hands in the process. Honestly we have a pretty open exchange of ideas and everyone is very good about offering suggestions about arrangements or ways to make the songs more appealing.”
That team effort and the music they create has attracted fans coast to coast who turn out to hear the band perform their trademark smokin’ blues and jammin’ rockabilly tunes.
On Saturday, Nate Myers & the Aces will serve as the opening act for blues sensation, the Georgia Songbird, EG Kight, at the Whitaker Center’s Underground Stage in Harrisburg.
“Nate is very entertaining and a joy to watch and listen to on stage,” Kight said. “He’s quite the talent.”
Part of the band’s success is also due to the fact the band is adaptable and open to new ideas and changes.
“The band prides itself on being accessible and trying to entertain whoever we’re playing for. I love to talk to the audience and get involved with them,” Myers said. “The audience should expect to see a diverse and energetic show. We try to deliver our best ever night. I love to perform so this is a great opportunity to do that. It also gives me a medium to express myself and offer a little bit of hope through music. Truthfully, I get way more from the audience then I am capable of giving to them.”
Established in 2001 and based in Harrisburg, Nate Myers & The Aces consist of Mike Noll on drums and vocals, Chris Purcell on guitar and vocals and the multi-tasking talents of Pete Netznik on bass, guitar and vocals in addition to Myers on lead vocals and harmonica.
“We’re an experienced band,” Myers said. “Each member has played many, many shows individually and as a band we have played hundreds of shows in the last three years. We play a wide variety of music. We’ve been told we have an original sound. Primarily they should come out if they want to have a good time, be surrounded by good people, and hear good music.
“Right now we’re really getting into all the various styles of music, blues, rockabilly, hip hop and country. We listen to all kinds of music and are influenced by all types of artists and musicians. My focus is trying to write music that I like and that motivates people to dance and enjoy themselves.”
The show in Harrisburg should also conjure up other emotions for the audience.
“I hope the show gives the audience a little bit of joy and hope. Some of the song subjects aren’t the most uplifting but the majority of these ideas come from my personal experiences,” Myers said. “I know that when I listen to an artist, regardless of the song subject matter, if they’ve composed something that I can relate to or have experienced I get a lot of hope knowing that someone out there feels or has gone through the same things I have.”
- Jeffrey Allen Federowicz, The Daily Item (8/7/2008)

This past Friday night, I had the long-overdue pleasure of catching Nate Myers & The Aces at The Bullfrog Brewery ... and I'm here to tell you ... a pleasure it truly was.
It almost never seems to fail that when they're in town, I'm off somewhere playing with my own band on the same night. It's a bit of a "Catch 22." I love making music with my beloved bandmates, but also miss being able to catch other great musicians "doing their thing." Thankfully, this past Friday night found me without a gig, and happily hoppin' out to "The Frog" (my home-away-from-home).
I've known these talented gents for many years, and have seen them perform many times over the years, but I've never tired of hearing & watching them (and spending some "quality minutes" talking and joking in between sets). Nate, Mike, Pete and Chris are all outstanding musicians, and wonderful souls as well.
Nate Myers' undeniable stage presence, singing & story-telling abilities and soulful harmonica playing keep the audience's eyes glued to the stage throughout the night. He's always "large and in charge" ... and he's one of the best when it comes to what I like to call "blues rap." The steamroller groove machine of Mike Noll & Pete Netznik commands people to the dance floor, and Chris Purcell's ever-tasteful guitar work weaves the melodic threads that are an integral part of The Aces' "blues blanket" ... a blanket that wraps you up and keeps you warm all night.
One of the things I like most about the band is that they're just plain, old fun to listen to and watch ... and there's never a dull moment. Whether it's a soulful ballad like "The Untouchable," the drum-driven "That What You Got" or one of many funky groove-fests like "Now Or Never" or "Back Porch Swing," you can't help but pay attention and find yourself drawn to the dance floor.
The next time you see that Nate Myers & The Aces are in town, do yourself a big favor and go see them. They never disappoint ! - Joel B. Vincent, BilltownLive.com (December 2008)

Fly Magazine (Harrisburg, PA)

In a little bar outside of the downtown Harrisburg scene, a middle-aged man in a corner nonchalantly gazes at a woman across the bar, a waitress breathes in her first cigarette after a long shift, a handful of people linger after dinner and a few early drinkers laugh a little too loudly.
Around 8 p.m., all of them will have the chance to witness the music of a would-be guitar hero and his band: Nate Myers & The Aces.
When showtime arrives, the four-man band is crammed into a corner with poor lighting, but the music they’re playing is more than enough to hold the bar patrons’ attention. Some of them are actively listening, while others are sitting at the bar with a pint, nodding their heads and tapping their feet.
Through the shoddy lighting and smoke-filled air, spectators can see bassist Pete Netznik, drummer Mike Noll, guitarist Chris Purcell and, of course, Mr. Myers himself.
What they can’t see is the aforementioned guitar hero. Harrisburg’s up-and-coming sex symbol was never able to live his dream of playing the guitar. The only instrument you’ll see Myers playing is the harmonica.
“The instrument kind of chose me,” says the frontman of The Aces, who picked up a harmonica during his freshman year of college in 1992. It was then that he met an old-style blues player who told him to forget the guitar and to pick up the instrument that Bob Dylan made “cool.”
“I still want to play the guitar,” Myers admits with a grin. “It’s just cool.”
Even without a six-string, Nate Myers has managed to attract a lot of attention. The most common reaction to the 30-something’s name is “Ooh, Nate Myers … he’s sexy.” Apparently, Central PA’s women prefer their blues men donning a harmonica, a trend Myers says he’s learning to “treat with respect.”
“I haven’t really noticed [the attention] until recently,” says the tattooed Myers. “I’m always flattered. I kind of dig it.”
All of the newfound attention hasn’t, however, overshadowed the band’s talent. For every comment about Myers’ sex appeal, about half are followed by some praise of his harmonica-playing skills.
Nate Myers & The Aces have a bluesy sound, traditionally popular among an older crowd, but are drawing a younger audience, too. Yet, they remain curiously obscure, at least as far as the bar-hopping Second Street crowd is concerned.
Myers does express interest in playing at a few Second Street bars but has been patient in his attempts to perform at those venues. Integrating his band’s blues style into a party-band atmosphere is a big step – not to mention a daunting one. However, Myers knows you have to get a foot in the door to get somewhere.
“I’ve been a little bit nervous about taking it downtown,” he says. “[But] you don’t get any better sitting at home. You’ve gotta get out there.”
While they’ve been mostly skirting the city, The Aces have played just about everywhere else, from Rehoboth Beach to Baltimore. On the occasions when the band does venture downtown, the venues tend to be smaller bars. Although some of these venues cannot provide the proper lighting or sound that most live acts would require, Nate Myers & The Aces have no qualms about playing in the corner of a dark bar in the middle of the week.
“You’ve gotta keep your ego in check,” he says, “or you get to the point where you expect certain things.”
Myers’ love affair with music began in the ’80s with a type of music his fans might never expect: early hip-hop. But it wasn’t until he got older that the music that surrounded him as a child began to inform Myers’ own writing.
“I wanted to play traditional blues, and I was so concentrated on that that I sort of missed out on a lot,” says Myers. Eventually he realized that, as a musician, he had just as much in common with a hip-hop artist as a blues musician. That realization inspired him to embrace music outside of the blues’ traditional 12-bar formula.
In fact, pick the right night and you can catch The Aces plowing through a jazzed-up cover of House of Pain’s “Jump Around.”
On the whole, Nate Myers & The Aces have a smooth, rich and energetic sound. It’s a classic mixture of blues, roots and jazz music, instantly relatable and bubbling with energy. Listening to Myers’ soulful voice is like sitting in the basement as a child and spinning old records found in a musty corner. You’re not quite sure what you’ve found, but you know it gets you excited, you know you’ve never heard it before and you know it’s something good.
Apart from early ’90s hip-hop masters, some of Myers’ influences include Big Jack Johnson, the Southern Sons, Paul deLay and Johnny Cash. The rest of the band lists John Fogerty, Queen, Bob Dylan, Robert Johnson, B.B. King and Willie Nelson as musical inspirations.
But signed recording artists aren’t the band’s only inspiration.
“We go out to see [local] bands,” says Myers, explaining that watching other bands helps The Aces to work on their own live performance.
“It’s insp - Robin Cooper, Fly Magazine (February 2008)

Fly Magazine (Harrisburg, PA)

In a little bar outside of the downtown Harrisburg scene, a middle-aged man in a corner nonchalantly gazes at a woman across the bar, a waitress breathes in her first cigarette after a long shift, a handful of people linger after dinner and a few early drinkers laugh a little too loudly.
Around 8 p.m., all of them will have the chance to witness the music of a would-be guitar hero and his band: Nate Myers & The Aces.
When showtime arrives, the four-man band is crammed into a corner with poor lighting, but the music they’re playing is more than enough to hold the bar patrons’ attention. Some of them are actively listening, while others are sitting at the bar with a pint, nodding their heads and tapping their feet.
Through the shoddy lighting and smoke-filled air, spectators can see bassist Pete Netznik, drummer Mike Noll, guitarist Chris Purcell and, of course, Mr. Myers himself.
What they can’t see is the aforementioned guitar hero. Harrisburg’s up-and-coming sex symbol was never able to live his dream of playing the guitar. The only instrument you’ll see Myers playing is the harmonica.
“The instrument kind of chose me,” says the frontman of The Aces, who picked up a harmonica during his freshman year of college in 1992. It was then that he met an old-style blues player who told him to forget the guitar and to pick up the instrument that Bob Dylan made “cool.”
“I still want to play the guitar,” Myers admits with a grin. “It’s just cool.”
Even without a six-string, Nate Myers has managed to attract a lot of attention. The most common reaction to the 30-something’s name is “Ooh, Nate Myers … he’s sexy.” Apparently, Central PA’s women prefer their blues men donning a harmonica, a trend Myers says he’s learning to “treat with respect.”
“I haven’t really noticed [the attention] until recently,” says the tattooed Myers. “I’m always flattered. I kind of dig it.”
All of the newfound attention hasn’t, however, overshadowed the band’s talent. For every comment about Myers’ sex appeal, about half are followed by some praise of his harmonica-playing skills.
Nate Myers & The Aces have a bluesy sound, traditionally popular among an older crowd, but are drawing a younger audience, too. Yet, they remain curiously obscure, at least as far as the bar-hopping Second Street crowd is concerned.
Myers does express interest in playing at a few Second Street bars but has been patient in his attempts to perform at those venues. Integrating his band’s blues style into a party-band atmosphere is a big step – not to mention a daunting one. However, Myers knows you have to get a foot in the door to get somewhere.
“I’ve been a little bit nervous about taking it downtown,” he says. “[But] you don’t get any better sitting at home. You’ve gotta get out there.”
While they’ve been mostly skirting the city, The Aces have played just about everywhere else, from Rehoboth Beach to Baltimore. On the occasions when the band does venture downtown, the venues tend to be smaller bars. Although some of these venues cannot provide the proper lighting or sound that most live acts would require, Nate Myers & The Aces have no qualms about playing in the corner of a dark bar in the middle of the week.
“You’ve gotta keep your ego in check,” he says, “or you get to the point where you expect certain things.”
Myers’ love affair with music began in the ’80s with a type of music his fans might never expect: early hip-hop. But it wasn’t until he got older that the music that surrounded him as a child began to inform Myers’ own writing.
“I wanted to play traditional blues, and I was so concentrated on that that I sort of missed out on a lot,” says Myers. Eventually he realized that, as a musician, he had just as much in common with a hip-hop artist as a blues musician. That realization inspired him to embrace music outside of the blues’ traditional 12-bar formula.
In fact, pick the right night and you can catch The Aces plowing through a jazzed-up cover of House of Pain’s “Jump Around.”
On the whole, Nate Myers & The Aces have a smooth, rich and energetic sound. It’s a classic mixture of blues, roots and jazz music, instantly relatable and bubbling with energy. Listening to Myers’ soulful voice is like sitting in the basement as a child and spinning old records found in a musty corner. You’re not quite sure what you’ve found, but you know it gets you excited, you know you’ve never heard it before and you know it’s something good.
Apart from early ’90s hip-hop masters, some of Myers’ influences include Big Jack Johnson, the Southern Sons, Paul deLay and Johnny Cash. The rest of the band lists John Fogerty, Queen, Bob Dylan, Robert Johnson, B.B. King and Willie Nelson as musical inspirations.
But signed recording artists aren’t the band’s only inspiration.
“We go out to see [local] bands,” says Myers, explaining that watching other bands helps The Aces to work on their own live performance.
“It’s insp - Robin Cooper, Fly Magazine (February 2008)

PERSIST (2008)
Nate Myers & The Aces

Nate Myers paid a visit to the studio to promote his new album "Persist". There's a lot of growth on this album. The songs are coming out of the pain of dealing with some hardships of life. The songs are honest, and the band plays behind him like a well oiled machine. This is easilly one of the best recordigs I have heard this year. There is some real beauty here. The song writing is solid, humorous and at times confessional. This is one of those albums that I want to tell everyone to get.

Get this album.

--- Michael A. Smith, WRVV 97.3 FM, June 2008

* * * * *
Originally hailing from the Billtown area, there are many who will always consider Nate to be hometown talent. It was in our streets, at our clubs and in our homes that he honed his considerable talents. Much akin to Rod Piazza in many respects, including his dynamic flair, Nate Myers has a way of grabbing the audience's attention from the opening notes. Once more I found the musicianship flawless, the arrangements wonderful and the vocals quite good, what impressed me most was the songwriting. Eleven of the tunes were penned by Nate, and were heartwarming, full of insight and very personal. This is Blues in its purest and most powerful form. Of the two remaining songs, both equally impressive, one was written by Chris Purcell, the other co-written by Nate and Pete Netznik. Any band can copy a tune, to write an all-original album is impressive…and these tunes are noteworthy. More than just a couple of "pretty faces,' this band has what it takes to make it. While easy to listen to, this band shows a depth that says they're not just a one-trick pony. They are not only entertaining, they have something to say…and they say it quite well. Nate and company work hard, it shows, and is bound to get noticed…but in this ever-toughening business in which to get a break, your guess is as good as mine as to the time frame. No one deserves that break more. This is one fine piece of work!

--- Bill Wilson, Billtown Blues Association, Fall 2008

* * * * *
My first night out was a Tuesday at Malone’s to catch that full set of Nate Myers & the Aces. Talk about hangover Wednesdays. That place was packed with all kinds of people having a great time. I actually had to illegally park just to get a spot. I was glad I squeezed in, it was definitely worth it. Nate Myers & the Aces had their latest CD, “Persist”, available and I was thrilled to get a copy! Before the show was over we got a couple sneak peaks into the album with a few songs, one of them being “The Untouchable,” very cool song, unlike anything I’ve heard anyone else in this area ever play. I checked out the CD on my way home. Song #1 “Jager and Waffles” how can you go wrong with that title. Hilarious, and oh so true. My personal fave was “Beauty All Around” I would’ve paid money to see this song recorded. It took at least 22 amazing musicians from the Central PA area just to record it. That’s what I call crazy!! The next track is “Just Be There” lyrics that I think any woman would be thrilled to be sung to her for a proposal. The tracks go from a full chorus to Nate singing and playing by himself, very cool. It’s definitely a CD worth checking out.

--- Rachel Rocks, "Out & About"
Pennsylvania Musician, August 2008

* * * * *
SHINBONE MAGAZINE (Vol.2, Issue 6)

Album Rating: 4.50 out of 5.00

There’d be a heck of a lot less fighting if there were more blues harp in the world; it’s impossible to stay angry when the aching strains of a harmonica hit the air. That’s why I’m nominating Nate Myers & The Aces for a Nobel Peace Prize.

The Harrisburg-based group’s latest effort, “Persist,” is suffused in the sweetly smoky refrains of Myers’ harp. That pocket-sized instrument is ably backed by the quartet’s roots-and-funk-based sound, with a rich undercurrent of Delta Blues, guaranteed to make you want to get off your rear end and shake the dust off.

The group manages to infuse even its darker subject matter with an uptempo feel, like on “Beauty All Around.” When vocalist and bandleader Myers sings, “She said to me how can it be that a God of love/can stay up there with all this evil going on/ You got sister robbing mother/You got brother killing brother,” you can’t help but nod along to the rollicking beat, the music filling you up like a good, old-fashioned Baptist revival. That’s thaks to Myers’ rich delivery, reminiscent of New Orleans mainstay of Dr. John.

While the group delves into rough-edged music that just begs for smoky juke joints and barbecue shacks, there’s a polish from Myers, guitarist Chris Purcell, bassist Pete Netznik and drummer Mike Noll that comes from confidence and competence in their respective instruments.

Recommended for fans of Dr. John, Buddy Guy, Blues Traveler

Featured Track – “Beauty All Around”
Critic’s Track Rating: 4.25 out of 5.00

--- Domenick Moore, Shinbone Magazine

* * * * *
Track one, - Various (8 reviews)

PERSIST (2008)
Nate Myers & The Aces

Nate Myers paid a visit to the studio to promote his new album "Persist". There's a lot of growth on this album. The songs are coming out of the pain of dealing with some hardships of life. The songs are honest, and the band plays behind him like a well oiled machine. This is easilly one of the best recordigs I have heard this year. There is some real beauty here. The song writing is solid, humorous and at times confessional. This is one of those albums that I want to tell everyone to get.

Get this album.

--- Michael A. Smith, WRVV 97.3 FM, June 2008

* * * * *
Originally hailing from the Billtown area, there are many who will always consider Nate to be hometown talent. It was in our streets, at our clubs and in our homes that he honed his considerable talents. Much akin to Rod Piazza in many respects, including his dynamic flair, Nate Myers has a way of grabbing the audience's attention from the opening notes. Once more I found the musicianship flawless, the arrangements wonderful and the vocals quite good, what impressed me most was the songwriting. Eleven of the tunes were penned by Nate, and were heartwarming, full of insight and very personal. This is Blues in its purest and most powerful form. Of the two remaining songs, both equally impressive, one was written by Chris Purcell, the other co-written by Nate and Pete Netznik. Any band can copy a tune, to write an all-original album is impressive…and these tunes are noteworthy. More than just a couple of "pretty faces,' this band has what it takes to make it. While easy to listen to, this band shows a depth that says they're not just a one-trick pony. They are not only entertaining, they have something to say…and they say it quite well. Nate and company work hard, it shows, and is bound to get noticed…but in this ever-toughening business in which to get a break, your guess is as good as mine as to the time frame. No one deserves that break more. This is one fine piece of work!

--- Bill Wilson, Billtown Blues Association, Fall 2008

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My first night out was a Tuesday at Malone’s to catch that full set of Nate Myers & the Aces. Talk about hangover Wednesdays. That place was packed with all kinds of people having a great time. I actually had to illegally park just to get a spot. I was glad I squeezed in, it was definitely worth it. Nate Myers & the Aces had their latest CD, “Persist”, available and I was thrilled to get a copy! Before the show was over we got a couple sneak peaks into the album with a few songs, one of them being “The Untouchable,” very cool song, unlike anything I’ve heard anyone else in this area ever play. I checked out the CD on my way home. Song #1 “Jager and Waffles” how can you go wrong with that title. Hilarious, and oh so true. My personal fave was “Beauty All Around” I would’ve paid money to see this song recorded. It took at least 22 amazing musicians from the Central PA area just to record it. That’s what I call crazy!! The next track is “Just Be There” lyrics that I think any woman would be thrilled to be sung to her for a proposal. The tracks go from a full chorus to Nate singing and playing by himself, very cool. It’s definitely a CD worth checking out.

--- Rachel Rocks, "Out & About"
Pennsylvania Musician, August 2008

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SHINBONE MAGAZINE (Vol.2, Issue 6)

Album Rating: 4.50 out of 5.00

There’d be a heck of a lot less fighting if there were more blues harp in the world; it’s impossible to stay angry when the aching strains of a harmonica hit the air. That’s why I’m nominating Nate Myers & The Aces for a Nobel Peace Prize.

The Harrisburg-based group’s latest effort, “Persist,” is suffused in the sweetly smoky refrains of Myers’ harp. That pocket-sized instrument is ably backed by the quartet’s roots-and-funk-based sound, with a rich undercurrent of Delta Blues, guaranteed to make you want to get off your rear end and shake the dust off.

The group manages to infuse even its darker subject matter with an uptempo feel, like on “Beauty All Around.” When vocalist and bandleader Myers sings, “She said to me how can it be that a God of love/can stay up there with all this evil going on/ You got sister robbing mother/You got brother killing brother,” you can’t help but nod along to the rollicking beat, the music filling you up like a good, old-fashioned Baptist revival. That’s thaks to Myers’ rich delivery, reminiscent of New Orleans mainstay of Dr. John.

While the group delves into rough-edged music that just begs for smoky juke joints and barbecue shacks, there’s a polish from Myers, guitarist Chris Purcell, bassist Pete Netznik and drummer Mike Noll that comes from confidence and competence in their respective instruments.

Recommended for fans of Dr. John, Buddy Guy, Blues Traveler

Featured Track – “Beauty All Around”
Critic’s Track Rating: 4.25 out of 5.00

--- Domenick Moore, Shinbone Magazine

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Track one, - Various (8 reviews)