About Us

Don Nicoloff is a professional, multi-instrumental musician, singer, composer, conductor, arranger, orchestrator, teacher, producer, audio recording engineer, investigative journalist, author, radio broadcaster, metaphphysician, and radio talk-show host with international credentials.

He has also written feature stories for The Idaho Observer newspaper and hosts his own syndicated radio show, “Evident Footprints,” which can be heard Monday-Friday, 10 p.m., PST on BBS Radio, Windtalkers Radio Network, and blogtalkradio.com.

You can read his published articles via this web site at: directlightproductions.com and listen to live and/or archived broadcasts at: evidentfootprints.com and bbsradio.com, Station 1.

As a researcher/investigative journalist, Don has appeared as a guest on numerous radio and TV talk shows, including: artistfirst.com; “The Edge AM with Daniel Ott.” “The American Awakening” [with Michael Herzog] “The National Intel Report” [guest-host for John Stadtmiller], “The American Activist,” [with Don Harkins], and “The Truth Hertz Radio” with Charles Giuliani [Republic Broadcasting Network], the “Liberty Forum,” [with John Bryant], American Voice Network [with Don Harkins], the “Jeff Rense Show” [GCN], the “Richard Syrett Show” [CFRB, 1010 AM, Toronto, Canada], “All Day Live” and “Call 4 Investigation” [ScanTV, Seattle, WA], "Rick Adams: Uncensored” [with Rick Adams, the "Radio Avenger"], “Voices from the Heartland” [with Dr. Greg Evensen], “A Marine’s Disquisition” [with Drew Raines], and “The Story Behind the Story” [with Dr. A. True Ott].

Guests featured on ”Evident Footprints” include: Ken Adachi, Rick Adams, Judy Andreas, Michael Anthony, Holly Avila, “Ace” Baker, Preston Blakely, Vincent Bugliosi,  Walter Burien, Jr., Dr. Rashid A. Buttar, Peter Cajander, Dr. Mike Castle, Hamza Sid Catlett-Bey, Joe Church,  Doug Cogan, Bill Cormier, Dr. William Deagle, Julie Dennis, Ralph Epperson, Dr. Greg Evensen, Michael Fischer, Wynn Free, Glenn Gearhart, Charles Giuliani, G. Edward Griffin, DeAnne Hampton, Rev. Roxie Hampton, Don Harkins & Ingri Cassel, Judy Gray, George Green, G. Edward Griffin, Ted Gunderson, Burk-Elder Hale, III, DeAnne Hampton, Dr. Larry Wayne Harris, David Hawkins, Michael Herzog, David R. High, Jennifer Hillman, Chris Hinkley, Christopher Holmes, Ph.D, Dr. Leonard G. Horowitz,  General Jeremiah, Steve Johnson, Allison Jones, Dr. Kaasem Khaleel, John Klar, Zuerrnnova-Starr Livingstone, Dr. Oskar Loo, Kenny Love, Marcy Lyne, Pastor Dr. James David Manning, Dr. Sheila Mannix, Jim Marrs, Field McConnell, Kathy McDonald, Tom Mercer, Todd & Donna Metallo, Robert Miles, Jim Murray, Don Newsom, Doug Newsom, Rick Nelson, Robby Noel, Dr. Richard Charles Norton, Erik Orion, Dr. A. True Ott, Greg Pappas, Kastara Parasava, Paul & Jo Parker, Carl Person, Toni Elizabeth Sar’h Petrinovich, Ph.D, Dr. Wayne Pickering, Art Pollock, Bryna Pollock, Mary Ann Ponder, Drew Malone Raines, III, Alejandro Rojas, Bill Ryan & Kerry Cassidy, Dr. Richard Sauder, Sarah Simmons, Michael St. Clair, Fred Smart, Lindsey Williams, Dirk Vander Ploeg, Randy Veitenheimer, Lindsey Williams, Tim Wingate, and Ryan Wood, to name a few.

Don’s professional music career spans more than four decades, having worked as a side man, musical director, arranger, orchestrator, composer, producer, and audio recording engineer on hundreds of projects, for major and independent recording labels alike. The roster of artists with which he has performed is a “Who’s Who” of established performers and recording artists. Being a multi-instrumentalist, Don has actually produced complete musical scores in which he performed all of the instruments himself, a feat that few musicians or composers have achieved. He is proficient in brass, reeds, keyboard, and percussion instruments, and he is known for his original synthesizer “patches” which demonstrate an acute understanding of the science behind acoustic engineering.

Don is currently completing his third solo CD, “Spirals,” and a library of original music recordings based upon the relationship between sound/light frequencies and their application in the area of metaphysical healing.

As a certified member of Freedom Force International, Don was recently nominated to its “Hall of Honor,” as FFI continues to acknowledge the efforts of many individuals and groups  throughout the world who are mutually devoted to finding solutions and achieving world peace through research, knowledge, and cooperative action.

In addition to his ongoing research, investigative journalism, and music projects, Don is writing a book and plans to lecture internationally about his most recent ‘historical’ discoveries. His published feature articles can be found in the “Articles, “Archives,” “Documents,” and  “News” pages of this web site.

As a followup to the Knight Society CD, Vortex co-produced “The Footage,” a 2-1/2-hour video documentary featuring five Ohio Rap/Hip-Hop acts in the process of recording their studio tracks, while immortalizing their original "freestyle battles."

Vortex has also co-produced a number of new tracks with Don Nicoloff for Doc Rock, Will Jackson, and other established artists.

Music videos include: “Have Ourselves A Party,” “Just The Way You Like It,” and “I Really Want To Know,” which were also co-produced by Vortex, Don Nicoloff, and J. Reese for Vortex Management Group, Ltd.

As a co-writer / co-producer with Don Nicoloff and Direct Light Productions, Vortex will continue to create tracks for various R&B, Jazz, Rap, and Hip-Hop artists. His work as a film editor has been featured in a concert DVD produced for The House of Blues, Cleveland, Ohio, and will continue with upcoming documentaries to be produced under the Direct Light umbrella. A recent Ron Paul Rally at ‘The Haven’ in Winter Park, Florida will result in a 3-hour DVD featuring both the music of Soul Funktion and some politics.

Vortex is known in the “biz” as an accomplished track producer for many artists. His creative, original style is immediately recognizable in his fresh rhythm tracks, whether sequenced or played “live.” And unlike many arrangers, composers, and “producers,” he incorporates inovative musical ideas while adhering to traditional musical principles. “Keep it real” is his motto, which becomes equally evident in his unique approach to lyric writing, whether writing originals or producing for up-and coming artists and commercial clients.

Stone (aka Preston Blakely) is our video director and photographer extraordinaire. He’s a natural when it comes to live video production and equally competent as an editor.

His background as an educator gives him the communication skills necessary to conceive, direct, and work as a team player on a variety of projects, whether on-site or in a studio. Stone is a ‘hands-on’ cameraman, mixer, and video editor with great computer skills. Music videos include: “Have Ourselves A Party,” “Just The Way You Like It,” and “I Really Want To Know,” which were also co-produced by Vortex, Don Nicoloff, and J. Reese for Vortex Management Group, Ltd.

As a co-writer / co-producer with Don Nicoloff and Direct Light Productions, Vortex will continue to create tracks for various R&B, Jazz, Rap, and Hip-Hop artists. His work as a film editor has been featured in a concert DVD produced for The House of Blues, Cleveland, Ohio, and will continue with upcoming documentaries to be produced under the Direct Light umbrella. A recent Ron Paul Rally at ‘The Haven’ in Winter Park, Florida will result in a 3-hour DVD featuring both the music of Soul Funktion and some politics.

Vortex is known in the “biz” as an accomplished track producer for many artists. His creative, original style is immediately recognizable in his fresh rhythm tracks, whether sequenced or played “live.” And unlike many arrangers, composers, and “producers,” he incorporates inovative musical ideas while adhering to traditional musical principles. “Keep it real” is his motto, which becomes equally evident in his unique approach to lyric writing, whether writing originals or producing for up-and coming artists and commercial clients.