Nick “Capt’n Jack” Wayne is a Central Ohio songwriter, singer and live performer who has built a long and wide reaching career in the Licking County and greater Central Ohio music scenes. Born in Newark, Ohio, he has played more than fifteen hundred live shows as a solo acoustic artist, in acoustic duos, and with full bands. His career spans over four decades and stretches from teenage garage bands to Nashville studio sessions to charity driven rock events. Nick has written more than five hundred original songs across country, hard rock, blues, Christian worship and dance tracks. His songwriting is often inspired by his personal experiences with CMT disease, his deep Christian faith and the ups and downs of life on the road. These roots have made him a familiar face in local bars, clubs and community events across Ohio.
Nick picked up the guitar at age thirteen and dove into the rock and metal scene that was thriving in Licking County. As a teenager he fronted the band Paranoid which brought a raw Black Sabbath inspired energy to house parties and small venues across Newark and the surrounding area. These early years helped shape his live presence and his confidence on stage. In his twenties he continued to grow as a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter.
In the mid 1990s Nick leaned into country influences with his band Wild Card and made several trips to Nashville. The band blended storytelling with a roadhouse punch and Nick recorded at Soundsmith Studios while working alongside top Nashville session players and seasoned touring musicians. This era pushed his writing and broadened his musical reach.
Nick returned to rock with a renewed spark in the late 1990s through the 2010s. He formed KROME which explored a heavier sound built around both originals and fan favorite covers. His biggest impact in this period came with Black Horse, the powerhouse cover band he founded and named. For nearly fifteen years they delivered high energy shows throughout Central Ohio and West Virginia with classic rock sets that featured AC/DC style power, Eagles driven harmonies and the kind of modern rock energy people love. Bassist Craig Kister was a key partner and the band became known for its signature Black Horse flair. They were featured in the Newark Advocate and the Columbus Dispatch for their role in the local music scene and for community work. The band played at country clubs, bars and golf courses across Licking County and often crossed into West Virginia for festivals and special events.
One of the highlights of this era was the annual Black Horse Fest which raised money for the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities in honor of Nick’s son with autism. These all day events brought together loud guitars, big crowds and a lot of heart.
Nick’s modern chapter has shown his softer side and his collaborative spirit. He performs in acoustic duos with his girlfriend Rockin Robin and their chemistry shines during stripped down shows at local favorites like Jugz Tavern, Buckeye Winery and Newark Earthworks. In 2025 Nick is moving into a new project called ShotGun Sallie. The band is already building buzz with a mix of rocking cover tunes, a hard edged twist on bar favorites and dance ready originals that feel right at home in the Ohio bar circuit.
Nick Wayne continues to write, perform and inspire. His story is one of grit, faith, creativity and a lifelong love of music that keeps finding new ways to reach people.
