Joey Mazzone spent much of his life finding ways to turn adversity into purpose.
Long before music became the center of his world, Joey was passionate about martial arts and helping others. As a young teenager, he began volunteering with children with special needs, driven by a question he had asked himself: What have I done for someone else that didn't benefit me? That desire to make a difference would remain a defining part of who he was.
At 17, Joey's life changed dramatically when chronic and rare illnesses forced him to leave traditional high school and put many of the plans he had imagined for his future out of reach. In the middle of that uncertainty, he found the guitar.
Music became his medicine.
It was never about fame or fortune. Music gave Joey a way to push through the pain, process what he was experiencing, and express things that were sometimes impossible to put into words. The strength and energy people saw when he stepped onto a stage often hid a very different reality behind the scenes. Yet he continued to write, record and perform, creating music that was deeply personal and entirely his own.
Joey was immensely proud of what he created with True Grit. His music reflected his influences, his experiences, his struggles and his unmistakable spirit. Near the end of his life, he was still writing and recording, determined to finish the music he wanted to leave behind.
One of Joey's final wishes was simple: keep listening. Keep sharing the music.
His life may have been far too short, but the music he created — and the lives he touched along the way — continue to carry his story forward.
Joey Mazzone was born and raised here in the city of Las Vegas. Surprisingly enough when Joey Mazzone was younger he was not interested in music but instead competed internationally for Taekwondo. At that time he unknowingly was developing his stage presence for when he would finally join a band. He bought his first guitar from a local shop about 6 years ago and hasn't put it down since. Taking inspiration from artists like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck he has developed a psychedelic blues rock tone to create an individualistic sound to his guitar. Combining the ideas of the 60's and 70's with older Chicago and Texas blues like Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, B.B. King and Albert King. Along with a unique voice that adds the "grit" to True Grit.
Nick (Nicky Steves) Stephenson is a musician born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nick was raised in Centennial Hills where he would commute for two hours a day most of his school life. During this time he would always listen to his mp3, where he would eventually discover his love for music. Early on he would learn piano from his mother, who was a classically trained pianist. Eventually Nick would branch off towards other instruments, learning as much as possible. It wasn't until high school when he would pick up and learn both the guitar and bass. He would also take his first introduction to songwriting and music composition during this time and fell in love all over again. Growing up Nick would use his passion for music to pursue an education in it, eventually going to college for singing, music composition, and even mechanical engineering. Bands that inspire some of his playing include Queens of the Stone Age, The White Stripes, Funkadelic, and Arctic monkeys. Whenever Nick picks up his bass, both his quick heart pumping rhythm and slow methodical groove are what help give True Grit its attitude.
Will Richards is a drummer originally from Seattle, Washington. Playing drums for over 10 years, Will taught himself to play, following recordings of Led Zeppelin and Guns N'Roses. Honing his aggressive and boisterous style in the Pacific Northwest, he now brings his hard-hitting of playing to Las Vegas and True Grit. Some of his biggest inspirations in drumming come from Jimmy Sullivan, Brandon Barnes, and Matt Traynor. His explosive and reliable tools behind the kit provide the foundation for True Grit's raw and powerful sound.
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