Rogers & Nienhaus

BMS had the opportunity to visit Meramec Jack's in Valley Park, MO a few weeks ago to listen to Rogers & Nienhaus. You know going in that you're going to hear a couple of world class musicians. On stage there were 7 guitars, one bass, 2 mandolins, and a piano. You couldn't help but think about the path these instruments have traveled, from Nashville Tennessee to Europe and South America; what stories they could tell if they could only talk. When Terry Jones Rogers and Scott Nienhaus took to the stage, these instruments began to tell their tale in the hands of these two professional musicians. The list of music included original material, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Jackson Brown, Allman brothers and many more. Their harmonies were solid, a harmonic collision of two great vocalist. As musicians, these gentlemen play just about every instrument known to man. When asking Scott, "is there an instrument you don't play?" His answer, " the violin!" Itzahk Perlman ought to send Mr. Nienhaus a monthly checked with the promise he never takes it up. When Rogers and Nienhaus performed, they had every ones attention, young and old. There was little or no small talk during their performance and every song was accompanied by an hearty applause and at one point a standing ovation. This is something you normally don't see at smaller venues, BMS witnessed it that magical night at Meramec Jack's.

Just who are Rogers and Nienhaus? Those in the "bizzness" and fans of The Byrds, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Poco, Flying Burrito Brothers, Firefall, and Pat Liston, certainly know of these gentlemen. They have performed with and or opened for such legendary acts. However, if you just fell off a turnip truck, here's a bio taken from the website of these two accomplished musicians.http://rogersandnienhaus.com/Bio.php
 
Terry Jones Rogers and Scott Nienhaus began their long association in 1993 after both relocated to Nashville, TN at the urging of their mutual friend Michael 'Supe' Granda of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Nienhaus and Granda had become friends in their home state of Missouri, when Scott's group 'Acousticity' toured with 'The Daredevils' as their opening act, soon leading to 'Acousticity' working with Nicolette Larson as her band.Rogers and Granda became friends when they worked together in the classic group 'The Byrds' with original drummer Michael Clarke. Terry was invited to join the newly reformed group by Clarke in 1988 after becoming friends in Hilton Head,SC, and was fronting the band when Supe came on board. Soon after Granda's inspired introduction, Rogers invited Nienhaus to join his newly formed group 'The Byrds Celebration', after Michael Clarke's untimely death in December of 1993. In early 1994, Rogers & Nienhaus began working with 'The Byrds Celebration' along with Byrds alumni Skip Battin and Gene Parsons, as they embarked their first tour of Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, France and The Netherlands.

In 1995, Rogers & Nienhaus released 'The Rogers/Nienhaus Band with Skip Battin' "Empty Room", recorded at Music Masters Studio in St. Louis,MO, leading to many European tours as an acoustic duo in support of this project. Numerous cafes and clubs in Amsterdam and other parts of The Netherlands, and 'The Anker' in 'Interlacken,Switzerland were favorites and always included many return engagements.

Living in Nashville,TN provided many opportunities for the duo, including The Ryal Macaws, which featured Rogers & Nienhaus, along with Supe Granda, Vince Barranco, and world renowned fiddler, Vassar Clements.

Now living in the St. Louis Metro area, Rogers & Nienhaus have become local favorites, with their fiery performance and pristine harmonies, as well as national and international engagements.