From piano lessons starting at age 6, to her first time performing solo, for a packed ballroom at the Sacramento Inn, Nancy was hooked on the music business.
In the 70s, Nancyb studied music theory at Sacramento City College and played on and off campus—again solo with guitar. Her first real “gig” came to her in Truckee at the “Bar of America.”
In the 1980s, Nancy recorded with the Red Rose Ranch Band, and performed with the house band at the largest Country dance club in greater Sacramento. Later she worked in Reno, NV with the Billy Van Dyke Band, while continuing her solo act at Tahoe and Reno casinos.
Then she took to the road, touring as a solo singer/songwriter throughout the western and southern states.
While in Texas, she appeared at Gilley’s in Pasadena–of Urban Cowboy fame–and recorded at Gilley’s studio, opened for Freddie Fender, and worked with Tom T. Hall and Willy Nelson on back up vocals. Nancy also performed throughout Oklahoma, and in Nashville, TN, at the famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge. Then on to gigs in New Orleans and Los Angeles, as she worked her way back to Northern California.
After many years on the road, Nancy was back home, playing occasionally in Sacramento and the Gold Country. In this period, she recorded with Dr. Joe Gilman, pianist with Bobby Hutcherson.
Ending a hiatus, she again embraced her passion, appearing in concert at Auburn’s “Dave’s Cave” and the Sierra Foothills Unitarian Church, and open air events.
Influenced by Miles Davis and other jazz greats, Nancy put together a jazz set and sang with notable jazz artists including Aaron Garner and Steve Homan, in concert at Auburn, CA‘s State Theatre and other local venues.
in 2010 and beyond, Nancy B’s passion drew her to 60s music–reconnecting with her musical and philosophical roots–to help the world be a more loving place by sharing her songs.
And in 2015 Nancy B Davis has become the head of a committee within the First Congregational Church of Auburn UCC, an open and affirming church, that puts on Song Writers In Kind each 3 months.
Songwriting has become the center of Nancyb’s music life.