In Conversation | Nelly's Echo

(7 Minute Read) 

Nelly's Echo is a Nigerian Pop and R&B musician who frequently travels across the United States to perform snazzy renditions and his own original genre songs. We were introduced to him when we were, believe it or not, traveling and heard his set at the five star Pendry hotel in downtown Baltimore. The buzz around the bar when he started to sing was evident, and his modern take on more seasoned tracks was refreshing and inspiring. We sat down with Nelson to discuss his passion for pursuing a career in music, his experience being on Season 3 of The Voice, and his continuous pursuit to maintain a healthy mindset while traveling and performing across the country.

I was first exposed to your talent while sitting at the Pendry hotel in Baltimore and hearing you perform in the bar lounge. Myself, as well as those sitting at the bar next to me, were taken back by your voice, creative covers of popular R&B songs, and original tunes. When did you learn you had this gift and what made you want to further pursue a career in music?

I knew I had an affinity for melody when I was a little kid. My earliest memories of singing was when I was about 10 years old in church in Nigeria. I was so enamored by the choir, whose average age at that time was around mid 40s.I so badly wanted to sing with the choir that I kicked and cried and begged my parents to let me join the choir. Eventually I wore them down and they let me join. I’ve been singing ever since! With regards to my career as a musician, I quit my full-time job as a full-time physical therapist to hit the road as a full-time musician in the summer of 2010. I guess my real desire was to not one day look back on my life with regret of a life full of music that never was. Thankfully it’s ongoing.

You appeared on Season 3 of The Voice where your rendition of "Ain't No Sunshine" gained national acclaim and rose to #7 on the R&B charts. Can you briefly reflect on what that moment was like to have your hard work and passion for becoming a musician finally pay some dividends.

My time on NBC’s The Voice was truly transformational. It validated me as a musician that I belonged, and as well it was fantastic for my résumé to open a lot of doors along the way. Despite my outcome in the show, I’m forever, grateful for the opportunity and the experience.

What has been your favorite performance to-date and why?

My favorite performance to date is typically whatever performance I am currently doing. I’m grateful for my past, and I’m hopeful for my future, but the real gift is the present. I know it sounds cliché, but I truly believe that. 

In many of our conversations with frequent travelers we have discussed ways to maintain health and wellness while going from one city to the next on a weekly basis. What are some ways you stay healthy, both mentally and physically, when you are on the road performing in different cities around the US?

Staying healthy on the road physically, mentally, spiritually, is a challenge, if I’m being frank. I have to contend with the ever changing travel schedule, sleep, schedule, different personality types I encounter on the road, the hustle and bustle of performing in a different city every other day, and just life in general. As much as possible, I try to plan ahead to give myself a routine that is realistic. It’s a challenge to meet my goals on the road, but in attempting to do so I land somewhere that I am comfortable with.

Opening for the Plain White T's

We all have one of two notable travel stories we love to tell our friends and family. Can you share one memorable travel related story from your time spent on the road?

One of my coolest memories on the road happened at the very beginning of my touring journey. I traveled all the way to a college in Maine, and I proceeded to play my 60 minute set for the very eager and attentive audience. I thought I was a stranger to the crowd, so I proceeded to play a bunch of cover songs, and when the crowd warmed up to me, I played a couple original songs at the end of the set. To my surprise, more than half the room were singing the lyrics to my original songs back to me. That was the moment I realized how limitless and powerful the vehicle of music can be.

Short Responses

• Window or aisle? It's window all day baby.
• What do you typically do on the bus or plane to pass the time? I’m typically doing one of three things watching a movie, listening to music, writing music/lyrics.
• What is your favorite city to play in? I’ve played for nine states in the past 10 years, except for Hawaii. For some strange reason, I have fun memories of my shows in the state of Texas. There's something about them Texas folk.

• What is your favorite setting to play in? I love an intimate styled theatre, where I could interact with the audience without the distractions. It really compliments my storytelling folk acoustic style.

Follow Nelly's Echo on Instagram (@nellysecho) and check out information related to his 2024 performance schedule here.