In 1995, joined by newest member, Pete Kaneras, the band went back to work at Big Mo Studio in Kensington, MD—working again with the production talents of Steuart Smith. The result was the album “Pain & Paradise,” a smooth sounding yet powerful showcase for their blues/rock band skills that ranks among their best studio recordings.

During these sessions The Nighthawks crossed paths at the studio with D.C. area guitar legend Danny Gatton. They had played with him on double bills many times over the years, and Gatton—the super lead player that he was—ironically sat in on rhythm guitar with The Nighthawks a few times.
There was the hope that Danny would be able to record a track or two with the band on this album, Schedules were not cooperating and so the band thought they would just work with Danny on the next album. In hindsight, this turned out to be a missed opportunity - with Gatton’s tragic suicide. In tribute to Danny, The Nighthawks did not include any rockabilly song on the album and dedicated the album to Danny.