Musician Conrad Nelson will perform with Bob Woods at The Old 5 Mile House from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6. Nelson's musical background of country blues, folk, and rhythm and blues followed him from the Midwest to California in 1973. Nelson played upright bass and sang for a western group called “The Dusty Rustlers.” In 1978, along with “Duster Rustler” alumni Bob Woods, Nelson helped form a group with veteran songwriter Kevin “Blackie” Farrell and produced several songs including “Rockabilly Funeral” and still popular “Sonora's Death Row,” which continues to be recorded by Americana and country music artists.

Taking a detour from country music and rockabilly in 1981, Nelson co-founded the Northern California rock and alternative band The Kodiaks. Local acclaim was received by The Kodiaks in the mid 80s, when the band received the Sacramento KZAP radio home town album award.

Nelson later ventured out with several Kodiak members into his own band called The Twisters and played the guitar, harmonica and vocals. In 2000, Nelson focused on his roots of folk and blues music, old time music and classic country and continued entertaining audiences in the Sacramento area.

He is currently involved in several recording projects as a producer, arranger and ensemble player, and provides his talent as a multi-instrumentalist to musical groups in the Northern California area. For the past five years, he has performed at the Sacramento Western Swing Hall of Fame award ceremony. Conrad continues to play with musical friends Dave Wren, Ronnie Elkans, Olen Dillenham and The Bob Woods Trio. Currently, Patrice Webb, award-winning singer and songwriter, is featuring Nelson in her band as a multi-instrumentalist in her new album “Photographs.”