Events

[FOLK] Willie Nile is one of those musicians who was repeatedly poised for a breakthrough that never quite happened. Now might be his time. At 67, he’s finally producing an ongoing stream of new music, which has allowed his career to gain momentum after multiple derailments. And he’s one of our own: Despite being thought of as a product of New York City’s musical environs, Nile was born and raised here in Buffalo. After graduating from UB’s philosophy program in 1971, he headed down to Greenwich Village, where his poignant songwriting earned him a big buzz. His musical sensibilities were also clearly informed by the new wave and punk that took over downtown NYC later in the decade. He was asked to tour with the Who when Pete Townshend heard his self-titled 1980 debut for Arista, but legal and label woes kept him from making records with any regularity until the aughties. Now six studio albums and a couple live releases into the 2.0 phase of his career, the accolades continue pouring in like no time has passed at all. 2013’s American Ride and If I Was a River, out last year, have garnered near-universal critical praise for Nile’s rough and tumble Springsteen-cum-Petty stylings and an energetic, no-bullshit delivery that resonates with fans of solid songwriting. He comes home for two intimate “stripped down storyteller” shows this weekend,  Saturday, October 24 at Sportsmen’s Tavern.