Nathan Nockels

Nathan Nockels found himself in Colorado sitting around a campfire with friends when someone asked those gathered an uncomfortable question: "What's something you really like about yourself?" The acclaimed producer, songwriter and composer squirmed in his chair until it was his turn. That's when he took a deep breath and quietly answered: "I love that no matter how I'm feeling in the moment - happy, nostalgic or maybe I'm feeling really bummed - I can put my hands on the keys of the piano and music comes out. I love that I get to compose and convey what's going on in my world."

For the first time in Nathan's storied career, the accomplished musician is finally releasing music solely by himself through a series of original instrumental projects, giving listeners a glimpse into the composer that has been hiding behind the console since his name began showing up in album credits nearly three decades ago.

The Oklahoma native started his musical journey alongside his wife, Christy, touring the country and releasing five full-length projects under the moniker Watermark. When Christy ventured into a solo career, he continued to produce all of her LPs and the couple now owns their own, independent record label, Keepers Branch Records.

Outside of records for his wife, the father of three, who currently resides in Franklin, Tenn., has spent the past 25 years producing albums for numerous award-winning artists, including Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Passion, Laura Story, Phillips, Craig & Dean and Keith and Kristyn Getty, among others. Career-defining, GRAMMY®-winning selections like Redman's "10,000 Reasons" and Story's "Blessings" are among the many impactful songs Nockels has helped bring to life.

Both his extensive experience in live concert settings and his production prowess on countless projects converge as he steps into his own artistry for the first time. "I've been learning the language of notes, texture, tone and harmony across thousands of songs. I've been exploring, hacking my way through that jungle for 25 years," the celebrated arranger observes. "Producing for other artists has helped me figure out different ways of evoking emotion through music."

"The music I'm making is unfiltered. I'm not making it for any specific genre. It's just a big mix of all the things that have influenced me my whole life," shares Nockels, who cites film composers Thomas Newman, Nico Muhly and John Williams as his greatest inspirations. "If I could say anything about my music, I would say it's honest. I'm not trying for it to be anything but compelling and beautiful."