Barbara Nesbitt, a Georgia native, has found her home in music. Her life is reflected in the songs she writes which are about the ways, large and small, we abandon and seek that elusive safety of home. At fifteen, Nesbitt left home, landing herself among a group of jam- and groove-oriented musicians in Virginia. She met Bernie Lee who put a guitar in her hand and encouraged her to step behind the microphone. Before long, they were playing gigs to large groups of people, and Nesbitt found a new home on stage. She thrived and started writing her own songs but made a great living doing cover gigs in a succession of bands including Rare Daze, Cradle, and The Perpetrators, a duo with Lee. Nesbitt was recognized with nominations for female songwriter of the year, and a win for acoustic performer of the year. In late 2005, Nesbitt followed her heart to San Diego where she quickly found performance showcases hosted and promoted by Listen Local San Diego's maven, Cathryn Beeks. Nesbitt developed fast friendships and fans among the supportive network of musicians. Not long after getting to town, she entered and won the San Diego Music Scene Cream of the Crop singer/songwriter competition and was nominated for best female singer for the inaugural H.A.T. Award. Inspired by her new surroundings and everything that came before, Nesbitt wrote the words and music for her debut album, "A Million Stories." Backed up by stand-out players Marcia Claire (Citizen Band, Cindy Lee Berryhill) on bass, Bill Coomes (Deadline Friday, The Grams) on drums and vocals and Mike Spurgat (Deadline Friday, Citizen Band) on guitar and vocals, Nesbitt also had San Diego legend Jeff Berkley on board to produce the album and to add vocals and guitar. With special guests including Dennis Caplinger, Freebo, Ben Moore and John McBride, there's no doubt that Nesbitt surrounds herself with the very best as she continues to mesmerize anyone within listening distance. Upon it's release, "A Million Stories," was nominated for a San Diego Music Award, and a San Diego HAT (Honoring Acoustic Talent) Award. She was also nominated for a San Diego Music Award in the Best Americana category in 2008. In the last few years she has performed/recorded with Berkley Hart, Tim Flannery, Dennis Caplinger, Freebo, Marc Ford, Cathryn Beeks Ordeal, Doug Pettibone, Gregory Page and more. She has shared the stage / opened for artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keene, Lisa Loeb, Hootie & The Blowfish, Meredith Brooks, Nickel Creek, Jerry Garcia Band, Keller Williams, Widespread Panic and more. Her second album, 'The Bees,' was released in January, 2011. It was produced by Jeff Berkley, and features Mike Spurgat, Bill Coomes, Marcia Claire, Doug Pettibone, and Dennis Caplinger. She recently relocated to Austin, Texas and has quickly become a fixture in the world renowned music scene there. She will be starting a new recording project in the spring of 2012. Since then she has formed the band, The Whiskey Sisters, who have seen much success, buzz and press. Her third solo album, Almost Home, will be released in August 2013, and features such talents as, Jeff Berkley, Marcia Claire, Mike spurgat, Bill Coomes, Bukka Allen, Dennis Caplinger, Kim DesChamps, and Kyle Clayton. Not since June Carter Cash or Emmylou Harris has there been such a unique voice. At once plaintive and harrowing while sweet and melodic, Nesbitt's power is drawn from the shadows she's known and overcome. Her voice conveys a confidence and a hopefulness that's tempered only by a small wisp of sadness. She's ready to tell you all her stories; ready for anything that lies ahead and ready to call the world her home.
