Location: Brisbane, QLD
Challenge: Blind
Website: lorinnicholson.com
Lorin Nicholson is fast becoming one of Australia’s pre-eminent entertainers and motivational speakers. He has an imposing and unforgettable presence, and a musical ability that has attracted the genuine acclaim of critical experts. But more than that, Lorin is a decent bloke who personifies life's ideals, and unfailingly gifts an audience with something that is very special - an example of using the gifts that each of us has been given.
He is a real talent, and an inspiration that lives life-long with all those with whom he comes in contact. He tells each of us "Don't die with the music in you".
Over the past decade Lorin has shared his amazing music and inspirational life experiences in over 3000 concerts and presentations, to nearly a million people throughout Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
He regularly features in many newspaper articles, radio interviews and television appearances including Channel Nine’s nationally televised Carols by Candlelight, live news stories and 60 Minutes.
In recent years Lorin was named one of Australia’s finest musicians at the Country Music Awards of Australia, along side internationally-acclaimed guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, who took out the much prized Golden Guitar that year.
As one of Australia’s highest-selling independent artists, Lorin has just released his fourth album of instrumental guitar tracks and earlier this year became a published author of an inspirational children’s book titled, "The Amazing Bike Ride", published by Wombat books.
In 2009 Lorin was honoured as an "Australian of the Year" nominee and was later awarded a Queensland service award for his valuable contribution to the community.
Lorin’s list of achievements in music, sport, education and business are quite remarkable, however what makes his successes even more extraordinary is that he was born with Retinitis pigmentosa and has been legally blind his entire life.
In April 2010 Lorin and his younger brother Dean created Australian history, as they became the first blind persons to ride over 4000 kilometres across Australia in a four week epic journey from Perth to Sydney. During his most recent adventure, Lorin and his 17 year old son Andrew, rode a tandem pushbike 1800km from Brisbane to Melbourne, where he was once again invited to perform for the fourth time on Channel Nine’s nationally televised Carols by Candlelight.
His "Blind Courage" ride down the east coast attracted hundreds of media hits around Australia, with a reported media value of $1,000,000 and a trail of several million people that were inspired by his extraordinary journey.
Lorin and his wife Lisa are happily married with four children.
Lorin Nicholson at Boyup Brook Country Music Festival 2011