Ernie Nickels Finds a “Wave” to Ride on “The Hook”

Ernie Nickels is just the kind of songwriter The Hook was set up to feature, and not just for his songs, but for the way he’s approaching his life and music career. The sentiments he expressed during the interview portion of his appearance on the show really embody what most every songwriter struggling to make it feels.

And through the strength of his song, his natural humor, and likeable disposition, Ernie Nickels earned himself a co-writing session with the one an only Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, who was a the guest judge on the panel. This is what building community around songwriting looks like. The “old Kmart” Nickels references is where Nashville’s beloved “Eastside Bowl” is now located, and where The Hook takes place in The ’58 room.

Originally from Connecticut where he grew up in the jam band scene, Nickels has also lived in Hawaii, New York, Dallas, and now calls Nashville home, trying to make a go of it as a songwriter. He’s already released five songs, and has many more in the pipeline, including “Waiting On My Own Wave,” which he performed on The Hook.

Over the coming days and weeks, there will be more performance videos and other highlights from The Hook’s pilot taping released, with the full episode coming soon. You can subscribe to The Hook on YouTube to get alerts whenever new videos are posted, and also follow The Hook on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik-Tok. Stay tuned for info on future tapings of The Hook as well.

The Hook is hosted by award-winning songwriter Caitlin Cannon, and yours truly, Trigger of Saving Country Music. The Hook allows ANYONE to come up and perform a song in search of the next great song and songwriter.