Join us at Hey Nonny after Arlington Heights' Sounds of Summer Concerts in Harmony Park! Don't let your night end after Sounds of Summer. Wander over to Hey Nonny for a snack, nightcap and FREE music from 8:30pm-10:30pm every Thursday after the outdoor concert.

About Nikki O'Neill:

I'm an Americana singer-songwriter and guitar player, who's really into soul music, rhythm & blues, and gospel. I was born in Los Angeles and I’m based in Chicago now, but I grew up in Sweden with my mother and grandmother, who both came from Poland.

I play lead as well as rhythm guitar.

I was incredibly honored to be featured in the November 2019 issue of Guitar Player Magazine, interviewed by the great blues artist Sue Foley. In April 2024, I had the chance to open for Sue at SPACE in Chicago, and jam with her and Chicago blues guitarist Dave Specter on the classic Magic Sam tune, “You Belong to Me,” during her set.

As a guitarist, I love soul pickers like Pops Staples, Teenie Hodges and Prince, and Carlos Santana was a huge inspiration when I started out. Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Sue Foley and Laura Chavez are fabulous, and Freddie King is also a favorite of mine. Singing-wise, I adore Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples and Dinah Washington, but I always aim to sound like myself. My songwriting has always been inspired by soul, gospel, and classic rock, and I love colorful harmony, surprising changes and great melodies. My favorite writers include Al Green, Sly Stone, Jerry Ragovoy, Dan Penn, Paul McCartney, Carole King, Burt Bacharach and even ABBA's Bjorn and Benny... hey, I grew up in Sweden!