For as long as he can remember, Nick Petrone has been, to quote poet Maya Angelou, "singin' and gettin' merry like Christmas." As his family will attest, ever since Nick first opened his mouth, he has not shut up. As a young boy, he listened to such artists as Donna Summer, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Marvin Gaye,and Kiss...yes, Kiss. But it was during Nick's frequent visits to Baptist Churches throughout New York that Nick truly felt the transporting power of Gospel music. He knew he wanted to sing like that - from his soul. As time went on, Nick realized there was a universe of sounds beyond American pop and soul music that he wanted to incorporate into his songs. Through working with composer Elizabeth Swados, he learned about world music and the unique voicings of instruments from other cultures - the Australian didgeridoo, the South African marimba, the Latin American clave, and the flexibility of the human voice itself. In the early '90s, Nick discovered the Fordham University radio station, WFUV, whose eclectic playlist changed his life. Through listening to artists like Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Dar Williams, and John Gorka, Nick learned to write more autobiographically. He began constructing more truthful, introspective stories set to music. Nick's true love is live performance. In 1996 he performed on the Rosie O'Donnell Show. He's had the great privilege of performing with Donna Summer, Elton John, and Marc Anthony, and has been a featured soloist with the Marble Collegiate Church Community Gospel Choir and the new Metro Mass Choir, both directed by Michael David Brown. Perhaps his greatest pleasure has been singing with singer Ann Marie Milazzo, his friend and greatest inspiration. He's graced many of New York City's finest stages, including Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, Town Hall, the Beacon Theater, The Bottom Line, the Delacorte Theatre, the 92nd Street Y, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and his all-time favorite, Carnegie Hall. Now, as he premieres music from his debut CD, "A New Day Has Begun," Nick is quick to mention that while his name is on the album, he is in no way flying solo. He is ecstatic to share the stage with some of his best friends and family. Nick is truly grateful for all of the opportunities he's had to make music, and is determined to sing from his soul for the rest of his life...if not beyond.