Legendary singer, songwriter, and performer Nic Bearde returns with the vibrant and genre-bending single “Never Say Die”, his first release in nearly a decade. Known for his velvet voice, wit, and magnetic stage presence, Bearde has spent more than 35 years captivating audiences across the globe, from San Francisco to New York, London, Berlin, Paris, and Tokyo.
Born and raised in Nashville, Bearde’s love for jazz and R&B classics began at home, nurtured by late-night radio and the sounds of legends like Billy Eckstine and Cab Calloway. Over decades of touring and performing, his style has drawn comparisons to Lou Rawls, Nat King Cole, and Bill Withers, combining elegance, intimacy, and timeless musicality.
“Never Say Die”, part of the innovative Never Say Die project from close collaborator Tom Donald and hiTrecords, marks a bold new direction for Bearde. Bearde uses his voice to speak and sing the lyrics with his synonymous style, blending storytelling with his signature warmth. “I never thought I’d do a ‘rap’ record, and this isn’t that,” Bearde explains. “But through experimentation, and with Tom’s help, we found a way to tell this story of aging gracefully, and to quote Dylan Thomas, of not going ‘gentle into that good night.’”
Musically, the track is a joyous fusion of funk, blues, and rock, featuring brass, piano, guitar, and backing vocals that perfectly complement Bearde’s spoken-word delivery. The accompanying video captures the energy and camaraderie of recording the track with the full band, showcasing the sheer joy and charisma that have defined Bearde’s career.
With “Never Say Die”, Nic Bearde proves that blues is timeless, and that even after decades on stage, he continues to innovate, inspire, and engage audiences. This release is a celebratory return for an artist whose influence and artistry remain as relevant as ever.
