Turnpike Troubadours’ Kyle Nix Reveals Sobriety, New Shows
Turnpike Troubadours fiddle player Kyle Nix released his debut solo album Lightning on the Mountain & Other Short Stories last year, and was planning a big tour behind it that got nixed due to the pandemic. Recently he’s been playing some solo shows here and there, but has revealed that he will start playing full band shows in the coming weeks and months, upping the ante with the solo project.
Kyle Nix with a full band will be playing at Putters & Gutters in Lampasas, TX on Friday, June 25th, and then at Gruene Hall on Saturday, June 26th. But that is not the only thing Kyle Nix has revealed. On Tuesday, June 8th he also took to social media to tell his fans that a few months ago, he’d checked himself into rehab.
“I contemplated even saying anything about this & it will probably surprise most of my friends and loved ones but: 3 months ago today I checked myself into a rehabilitation facility in Oklahoma,” Kyle Nix says. “Much of the past 2 years had hit me pretty hard & I was trying most days just to make it to bedtime. I had began binge drinking to escape from the world. I was pretty much killing myself. But-I have 3 months sobriety as of today & I’m as content as I’ve been in a long time. I’m content with myself and conscious of the decisions I’m now making.”
When country fans think about the Turnpike Troubadours and drinking problems, they mostly think about Evan Felker, whose issues resulted in numerous cancellations for the band an an eventual indefinite hiatus on May 31st, 2019. Felker also went to rehab, and announced he’d found sobriety in August of 2020.
“The next several months are going to be the most important I’ve ever lived,” says Kyle Nix. “And I’m going to live them with ferocity & joy. So if you come to a show just know that I’m doing this music thing for me AND you with all the heart I have left in my body. And that I’m doing it like it’s my last day. You never know.”
Back in December, Kyle posted a somewhat cryptic message, saying, “I had a lot of plans. It may be time to change them tho. We’ll see…” and shortly put all of his merch on sale for 50% off, making some worry maybe he was getting out of music. Now that message makes more sense.
Kyle Nix is not the only one with an active solo project during the Turnpike Troubadours hiatus. Bassist RC Edwards has been playing with RC and the Ambers, and is planning the release on an album called Big Country soon. Guitarist Ryan Engleman was also playing with Reckless Kelly recently, but it’s been announced he will not be participating in the band’s upcoming tour.
June 8, 2021 @ 11:34 am
Great news! And good luck with the rest of your life, it’s gonna be awesome!
June 8, 2021 @ 12:15 pm
Of course I could be wrong, but this makes me a bit optimistic about a TT restart. Having more than one member in this boat ought to help the band maintain a supportive environment. That said, the guys still need to evaluate what’s best for them and their families, acting accordingly. Road life and hanging at festivals will entail challenges, and there will probably still be an occasional dipshit “fan” depositing a tray of drinks on the stage.
June 8, 2021 @ 3:11 pm
Many good thoughts and much support and encouragement to Kyle Nix and Evan Felker on their sobriety. I have reached the 3 1/2 year point in my own recovery and am grateful for every day. I also know how difficult sobriety is to maintain in the environment that surrounds a professional entertainer. May God bless and sustain all those who travel this road and those who wish to begin the journey.
June 9, 2021 @ 5:52 am
Congratulations, Mike.
You have made a wise decision.
From my perspective, getting and staying sober was quite a challenge.
The longer I have been sober, the easier it has become, although it’s still a daily commitment and effort on my part.
I agree that it must be tough to get sober while constantly being around alcohol.
This is great news .
June 9, 2021 @ 6:58 am
Thanks, Chris, for your kind thoughts. I agree with all the sentiments you expressed in your reply. Personally, being around alcohol was not as trying for me as I’m sure it is for many others. In fact, I had half a handle of vodka in the cupboard for the first three years of my recovery. It was harder being around cigarettes when I quit those thirty years ago.I think one of the most eye opening aspects of sobriety has been seeing how many of my fellow musicians seem threatened by it. My sincerest best wishes to you on your own recovery. Thanks again.
June 8, 2021 @ 7:15 pm
“ Guitarist Ryan Engleman was also playing with Reckless Kelly recently, but it’s been announced he will not be participating in the band’s upcoming tour.”
Any chance he’s touring with Kyle Nix?
June 9, 2021 @ 7:28 pm
Every TT song I’ve ever covered I couldn’t bare to change musically. I refuse to copy solos note for note unless I’m waiving the white flag that it’s perfect as it sits. Typically, the speed is the challenging part (guitarwise, fiddles are for folks more talented than me) but, I just wanna tip my hat and say most, if not every, member of that band has played something I deem perfect in its context. Obviously, I’m happy lives are getting better too. Just wanted to add that the lesser acknowledged band members are generally underrated for what they do in the world outside of this website. I’ll check out every side project from anyone of them but, the TT chemistry was something special thanks to all of them. I’d sure like to hear that combination of players behind Felker again if and when they’re ready!
June 12, 2021 @ 8:16 am
Too Bad. Rehab always ruins the creative process. The music will go to hell in a hand basket now.
June 13, 2021 @ 9:58 am
What does suicide or death by overdose due to the creative process?
June 13, 2021 @ 10:16 am
Tons. Most of the great country music over the years was written when people were drunk or on drugs. The same goes for rock music. If you deny that you have no idea what you are talking about.
June 13, 2021 @ 10:25 am
Nevermind…
September 26, 2021 @ 2:34 pm
That artist grows and so does the fan. In this case they grow to be men, who are responsible and have families. Their music will grow jus like the fans.