Alicia Nugent

Her career soars as fans notice her natural talent

TOM NETHERLAND,  SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT to TimesDispatch.com  (Richmond Times-Dispatch)  May 19, 2005

Too often we fail to recognize the dawning of talent. Note that in the years 2004 and '05, Alecia Nugent came, captivated and carved out the beginnings of a great career.

Widespread favorable press and word of mouth among fans catapulted Nugent to bluegrass stardom last year.  Since then, she has taken to the road in cities and towns across America.  She comes Saturday to Amelia for two performances at the Central Virginia Bluegrass Festival. Bluegrass fans, she loves every one of you.

"That is my following. That's my life," Nugent said by phone Sunday from somewhere along Interstate 81 in Southwest Virginia. "I love bluegrass people.  They stick with you."

Born and reared in Hickory Grove, La., well outside the bluegrass belt, Nugent's exposure to such as Bill Monroe and Jimmy Martin was constant, thanks to her father.

"Bluegrass was in my life mostly because my dad formed his bluegrass band when I was born," Nugent said.  "Otherwise, there's not a lot of bluegrass in Louisiana."

In 1972, Jim Nugent established the Southland Bluegrass Band, a regional act that essentially provided a schooling in bluegrass for little Alecia.

"My dad's my biggest influence," she said. "Even though he was not Ralph Stanley or Flatt and Scruggs, he sang all of their songs.  Growing up, I thought they were doing my dad's songs."

Thanks to musician-producer Carl Jackson, her music came to the attention of Grand Ole Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs, whose influence stretches deeply into the music world.  Stubbs recommended her to Rounder Records' head honcho Ken Irwin, who later signed her.

"Very little impresses me. Very little.  I feel like I've seen and heard all the best," said Stubbs, who is also an announcer at Nashville's legendary country station WSM (650 AM).  "It's rare that a voice like hers comes along.  It's open-throated, full volume.  Alecia's got a great gift."

Nugent's gift graced her self-titled CD, which debuted last year.  Near-universal acclaim from the press and fans greeted the album.  For example, her bold covers of Lester Flatt's "I'll Stay Around" and Jenny Lou Carson's "Jealous Heart" spin circles around anything on country radio today. She's part country and part bluegrass.

"I consider myself a country singer, but I do both country and bluegrass," Nugent said.  "It's acoustic country music. The audience is starving for some real country music."

Well, she has certainly been embraced within country's community.  Most telling was her debut April 24, 2004, on the hallowed stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

"It was a great accomplishment, and I do realize the history and the importance," she said.

"My knees were shaking.  My adrenaline was up.  I was actually sick to my stomach right before I went on stage.  You don't forget days like that."

Meanwhile, Nugent admitted that she's still adjusting to the rigors of the road.

"It can be stressful, and it can be joyful," Nugent said.  "The road is tiring, but I'm having a blast."