- From Western North Carolina.
- 2007, was a founding member of Balsam Range (playing mandolin). He previously worked with the Alecia Nugent Band, Audie Blaylock, Hazel Creek and the Crowe Brothers.
- He also fronts his own group, The Darren Nicholson Band. Members include Steve Sutton (banjo), Kevin Sluter (bass) and Griff Martin (guitar).
- 2007, released Darren Nicholson
(Bearded Baby).
- 2014, released Things Left Undone album (Bearded Baby) featuring special guests Rhonda Vincent, Carl Jackson, Tim Surrett, John Driskell Hopkins, Audie Blaylock, Aaron Ramsey, Steve Thomas and others.
- 2018, released Fret a Spell album (Bearded Baby), all instrumentals.
- 2021, released Man on a Mission album (Mountain Home).
- 2022, released “Songs of Hope and Inspiration” album (Bearded Baby).
- 2022, left Balsam Range to purse a solo career.