The videos from Rich's and my performance on WGN Chicago's The Steve and Johnnie Show are live! We had such a great time meeting this super-talented and kind husband-and-wife team, widely known as Chicago's number one overnight show radio hosts for three decades.
We played acoustic versions of “I Just Knew” and “I Wish the Sun Could Shine on Me,” and on their request for a holiday song, I sang and played “O Holy Night.” You can watch the videos here.
We have a couple of more shows in December in Chicago, including Bobby's Eastside and Fitzgerald's with the band. Rich and I will also play a duo show opening for the great Al Rose… and we'll play at O'Hare airport!
2025 has been such a great musical year for me and the band. So much happened since the release of “Stories I Only Tell My Friends”: the positive press reviews it got in the U.S. and Europe. The wonderful reception we've received at our live shows, and the new venues and festivals we got to play. All the radio play that “Stories…” received, the fun podcast and online press interviews I did, and the fact that the album made it onto the Americana Music Association's official album charts. That so many people around the world heard “Stories…” and added songs from it to their playlists.
I want to thank the Illinois Arts Council once again for making me one of their 2025 grant recipients, which allowed me to make the album.
Rich, Teddy, Chris and Andy for joining me on this journey of bringing songs to life, on record and on stage.
Everyone who was involved in the stages of making “Stories…” and getting it out into the world.
All of you who came to the shows, bought the album, listened to the songs, and wrote kind comments.
Happy holidays and Happy 2026!
Nikki
