Nathan Farrow is just about the textbook example of a hardworking artist.

On top of juggling his duties as a family man and working full-time as a firefighter, Farrow said he's spent the last four years honing his skills as a country singer/songwriter to make him worthy of an audience's time.

"Every time, no matter if you're playing for 10 people or 1,000, it's great to see people come out," the Ringgold, Ga., native said. "If they're spending their money, especially in this economy, to come see us, we want to give them what they came for."

Farrow, 30, got his start playing music at age 16 in his high school band, Southern Edge. After a four-year hiatus from 2000 to 2004, he returned to the scene and began writing his own music.

Coming from a background as a cover artist, performing original material is a rewarding change of pace, Farrow said.

"In 2005, that's all we did was covers," he said. "I would never even have thought about putting one of my songs in.

"As a writer back then, I didn't feel like I had anything worth putting in my shows. The stuff we do now, people are asking for."

His fans are responding. Farrow, who is performing tonight at T-Bone's Sports Cafe, was nominated for several categories in three categories for the FYI Awards, including Best Male Vocalist, Best Live Band and Best Country Band.

That show of support was unexpected but not unappreciated, he said.

"I was very, very thankful people would consider voting for us," he said. "That's a big thing, that your fans would go out and do that for you."

RELATED LINKS FOR WEB:

http://www.myspace.com/nathanfarrow

IF YOU GO

* What: The Nathan Farrow Band.

* When: 10 p.m. today.

* Where: T-Bone's Sports Cafe, 1419 Chestnut St.

* Admission: Free.

* Phone: 266-4240.

* Venue Web site: www.tboneschattanooga.com.

* Related links at fyi.timesfreepress.com.

LINEUP

Jason Webb -- bass

Johnny Smith -- drums

Ronny Dickens -- lead guitar

Nathan Farrow -- lead vocals/rhythm guitar

WHAT'S NEXT

Nathan Farrow is collaborating on writing songs with Nashville-based Americana artist Arlo Gilliam. He said he hopes to have enough material ready for an album by next summer.