Wes Nivens grew up on a cotton farm. His father was a well driller as well as being a farmer. Wes was exposed to music at an early age, as the family had a player piano and his mother played the guitar.

Wes was the oldest boy, he had 2 older sisters, 3 younger brothers, and a younger sister. Growing up near the Wills family gave the boys an interest in fiddle music. Much of Wes's talent was developed because of Bob Wills father, Uncle Johnny Wills, who was the real reason that Wes got his first fiddle, and then graduated from playing 2 sticks to a real instrument.

Wes served 3 1/2 years in WW2 in the Pacific, and carried his old fiddle everywhere he went, sometimes having it shipped behind him after the fighting was over. The Natives of New Guinea were especially thrilled at the sounds that came from such a strange looking machine.

Wes has won dozens of fiddle contests, judged many many more, and has made 9 albums. These are available for purchase with samples on the website that can be downloaded and played with Winamp or Microsoft Media Player. He is a member of the New Mexico Fiddlers Hall of Fame, and of the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame. He is also the New Mexico Senior Champion.