Nic Austin isn’t just a country artist he’s a storyteller, a healer, and living proof that life’s toughest battles can spark the most powerful art.
Hailing from Haskell, Arkansas, a small town outside Little Rock, Nic grew up learning about resilience, heartbreak, and the strength it takes to push through hard times. Those lessons followed him into the Air Force, where he served as a firefighter. When he returned home carrying both physical and emotional scars, music became his way of finding peace.
“After everything I went through, music became my therapy,” Nic shares. “It gave me a way to turn pain, loss, anger, and fear into something that could help someone else heal too.”
Rather than hiding his struggles, Nic embraces them. His honesty gives his songs depth and connection, showing listeners that even in brokenness, there’s beauty. “I’m messed up and broken, but I’m not ashamed,” he says. “Life is about falling down and getting back up again.”
Nic’s sound blends the heart of country rock with the catchiness of modern country pop. Influenced by legends like Johnny Cash and Chris Stapleton, he also channels the energy of Toby Keith and Jason Aldean while bringing in a modern edge inspired by artists such as Morgan Wallen and Kane Brown. “Country doesn’t have to sound one way,” Nic explains. “I want to bend the rules and redefine what country music can be.”
Whether he’s performing live or jamming alone with a guitar in hand, Nic finds peace through music. “There’s something grounding about it,” he says. “It’s where I can breathe.”
His path hasn’t been easy from open mic nights to full band gigs, he’s experienced the highs and lows of being an independent artist. One story that stuck with him came from a time he called a radio station to pitch his song and was told getting airplay was like taking a shot in the dark. That moment became the inspiration for his upcoming single “Shots In The Dark” a track about taking risks even when the odds are slim.
Nic’s lyrics shine with determination and self belief. In his song “Gone” he lays it out clearly “Everybody says I won’t make it, but I always do.”
One of his most meaningful moments came after a show when a fellow veteran told him that one of his songs helped him through a dark time. “That’s why I write,” Nic says. “For moments like that to help someone feel seen and understood.”
Right now, Nic is deep in the creative zone, working on a new EP that digs further into the themes of healing and redemption. “I don’t want people to stay stuck in their problems,” he says. “I want to give them hope.”
Fans can catch Nic performing across Arkansas, Tennessee, and throughout the Southeast. With new music and more shows coming soon, he’s just getting started. Follow him on Instagram @thenicaustin or visit www.nicaustincountry.com to stay connected.
Nic Austin isn’t walking a path that’s been paved before he’s building his own and inviting everyone to come along for the ride.
