Born Mathias Nicholas Nastos (June 26, 1936), Nick’s first recordings were done as Nick Masters And The Country Showmen, the Masters surname continued through his time as a pedal steel player (later lead guitarist too) for Bill Haley & The Comets. Nick recorded Guitars On Fire as Nick Nastos (on the Strand and Tuck labels), most versions (Summit, Fidelio, and Strand (again)) marketed him as Nick Nantos. 

Nick’s western group was formed in the late 1960s with him on steel guitar, Bill Nolte on drums and Ray Cawley on bass. Nastos was also a member of Bill Haley and the Comets, and in 1969 the two groups merged, with Nolte and Cawley joining the Comets and Rudy Pompilli, sax player for Haley, making concert appearances with the Country Showmen. The group continued into at least the first couple years of the 1970s.

In ‘62 he first recorded as Nick Nastos on a Skyrocket Records 45 of “Pretty Baby” and “Long Tall Sally” as Danny Carl accompanied by Nick Nastos And Combo. In ‘62 he also recorded with Jack Howard’s Covered Wagon Caravan Gang releasing a 45 of “A Faithful Guitar” & "Bull Doggin' The Steel” both featuring Nick’s prowess on the steel guitar. The 45 has since been compiled on rockabilly comps and relabeled as a Nick Nastos release.

In 1964 Nick continued his steel guitar lore for a short stint (he’d return for a second) with Bill Haley & The Comets. Also in '64 he formed Nick Nastos & The Fireballers, and recorded Guitars On Fire, his sole LP. He returned to the Comets in 1968 as lead guitar player and worked with the group off-and-on up through 1978; from ‘77 to ‘78 Haley had retired and Nick lead the band touring as Bill Haley’s Comets. Nick occasionally sang with the comets as well, his vocals can be heard on the ‘72 recording simply titled Bill Haley released on Supraphon out the Czech Republic.

Sadly, the other players on Guitars On Fire aren’t credited and at the time of this writing, the identities of the players can’t be found. But for the 2024 digital release two additional tracks were added which were not featured on any of the LP releases.

In the ‘80s Nick had the privilege of touring with his daughter, folk singer Sia LaBelle, as as part of a 50's rock nostalgia tour.

Nick passed away in 1995 and played guitar till the very end.