In the fall of 2024, Neilsen won the Saskatoon Blues Society’s Road To Memphis Challenge. In doing so he was chosen to represent Saskatoon on the world’s blues stage at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. The day after winning, Neilsen reached out to Producer Kevin Houston about recording a “few songs” like they had more than a decade before.

“The idea was, to just go into a studio for a day or two,” says Neilsen. “Set up some mics and capture me performing some previously released material in a solo setting.”

I had more support in Saskatoon than I could ever have dreamed of

Things escalated quickly from that original concept to a full blown band album. But making an album is an expensive process and Neilsen set to work fundraising with a series of concerts, a GoFundMe campaign, and selling new merchandise. He was blown away by the response from the community.

“Once the fundraising started, it became apparent that I had more support in Saskatoon than I could ever have dreamed of. It was a VERY emotional few months,” says Neilsen. “Three fundraisers later, I had enough to invite some of the best musicians in Memphis to join me for four days at the iconic Sam Phillips Recording Services to record a new batch of songs.”

So many legendary voices have passed through those speakers

Phillips is known worldwide as the man who discovered and helped craft the careers of artists like Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Howlin’ Wolf. The Sam Phillips Recording Studio is what he built after he sold Elvis’ contract to RCA. It’s a building filled with lore and a really big deal for musicians to record in. Neilsen and his band set to work laying down tracks surrounded by music history.

“So many legendary voices have passed through those speakers,” says Neilsen. “It was an incredibly surreal experience to find myself standing in that studio. On the last day Sam’s son, Jerry, gave me a private tour of the upstairs archives and Sam’s untouched office. After we wrapped the album we had a celebratory shot in the same private bar where Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins would often escape to!”

One hour later, Neilsen would be setting up to perform on Beale Street for an International Blues Challenge showcase that would kick off four days of performing at the IBC. He made it to the semi finals.

It’s the connections I’ve made with people that are the most important

Now, Neilsen is ready to share the music and the stories behind it with the community that supported him. The Within Tension release concert will feature an all-star band and they’ll play the album front to back. For Neilsen it’s a real full circle moment.

“If I look back over my years in music, it’s the connections I’ve made with people that are the most important,” he says. “I can’t wait for my community to hear the new music they helped me create.”