MuzikMafia members enjoy outcast role

NASHVILLE, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- MuzikMafia co-founder Jon Nicholson says the 7-year-old country Nashville band enjoys being seen as a collection of outcasts.

Nicholson said while the group's members have sold more than 10 million albums altogether, they have never felt fully welcomed by the mainstream music industry since forming in 2001, The (Nashville) Tennessean reported Sunday.

But Nicholson maintains that lack of acceptance actually helps the country music group and its expanding member list.

"I think we probably like to feel that way," Nicholson said. "That's what feeds our creative energy."

After being formed by Nicholson, Kenny Alphin, John Rich and Cory Gierman, MuzikMafia's ranks have swelled under the addition of 12 new artists.

Nicholson told The Tennessean such additions, like the group's outcast status, only serve to improve the musical efforts of MuzikMafia.

"The Mafia's always been that perfect opportunity, where you get 20 different artists up on stage at one time, and 20-30 different musicians up on stage," he told the newspaper. "At some point, it becomes the ultimate jam."