Ted and Janice Nixon

Ted and Janice Nixon of Yadkin County play bluegrass music together and perform in the band Breaking it Down. They play at regional venues and events and participate in area jam sessions.

Ted was born in Elkin, in Surry County, and he grew up in the Dobson community. “I always liked banjo playing,” he says. “I had a neighbor that played bluegrass, so that’s how I got started.” In 1980, he took some lessons with banjo player Billy Rippy, who helped him learn to play the five-string banjo, and by 1983 he was playing bluegrass music regularly. He has performed and recorded with various area bands over the years, including the Hard Times Band and Avery Hester and Crosscreek. Although Ted plays guitar, he considers banjo his primary instrument.

Janice Nixon was born in Wilkes County, and she has participated on clogging teams and been around bluegrass music all of her life. In 1990, Janice started playing the bass, and she began performing with her cousin Gary Johnson from the band Windy Gap.

Ted and Janice are members of the band Breaking it Down. Other band musicians include Wade Petty of Galax, Virginia, on fiddle, Terry Bullin of Surry County on mandolin, Charlie Edwards of Alleghany County on guitar, and Dennis Joines of Alleghany County on guitar. The band enjoys playing for events in the region, and they often attend regional fiddlers’ conventions. They have won prizes at fiddlers’ conventions, including ribbons from the conventions at Galax and Yadkinville.

Availability

Ted and Janice Nixon are available for performances with their bluegrass band Breaking it Down.