Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009
from the bar to the stage
Nick Andolora
On stage at the Dead Dog Saloon in Murrells Inlet, Nick Andolora looks a bit like a young Dr. Evil with an acoustic guitar - a clean-shaven head, a little unsure of himself, but still in charge of his own destiny. The easy-going bartender/entertainer with the friendly smile and a loyal group of regulars has been performing at The Dead Dog every Thursday during Happy Hour (5 p.m. - 7 p.m.) since May. He typically finishes his daytime shift slinging drinks at the Dead Dog's outdoor deck bar and goes straight to the stage.
For two hours he performs a wide variety of cover tunes that end up sounding like Andolora originals. He insists on playing the songs he likes and he insists on doing them his own way. Andolora said he could never be happy playing Jimmy Buffett covers. "No way. I just can't play [Buffett]. I don't know why, but I hate that guy so much," he said with a laugh. "It's that kind of music - no trop-rock. Sure I want to make a living doing music - but doing it my own way - my songs, my own way. Since I'm not getting paid, I get to do [the songs] I want. I try to be accommodating to the audience, but I don't play the typical covers." He later confessed that he'd perform "Margaritaville" (insert pinky to corner of mouth) for one million dollars.
I caught Andolora's first set on a recent perfect fall afternoon. Crystal clear blue skies, an amazing view of Murrells Inlet, and a cool breeze were helping to build a crowd at the popular Marshwalk entertainment eatery. The Dead Dog Saloon's open-air deck, permanent stage, permanent house P.A. system and full-time soundman, Jay Hodge, prove a long-standing commitment to live music. Seven days per week in season, and three days per week off-season, the restaurant/bar hosts a wide variety of local acts and sometimes nationally touring tribute acts. The Dead Dog seems the perfect place for Andolora, a fresh fish to the solo performance world, to hone his craft.
A native of Jamestown, N.Y. (near Buffalo), Andolora has lived in the Myrtle Beach area for six years and worked at The Dead Dog for nearly four. While new to solo performance, Andolora has been singing with bands for many years. He left a band behind in New York and worked briefly with two area bands as lead vocalist - Blind Life and Unit 17.
Andolora's move to the Grand Strand starts with a familiar story. "I just got in the car with a couple of my friends and moved down," he said. "Back home I was working in a mattress factory and I installed party tents, too." Sounds like reason enough to move on, not to mention the long cold winters of upstate New York can't compete with the sunnier climate of South Carolina. "All the friends I moved down here with moved back to Jamestown," he said. "Some people just can't hack the good life."
His fretwork is also a newly acquired skill. "I've only been playing the guitar for about a year," said Andolora, and though his guitar playing proved more than adequate, it's his unique voice and vocal confidence that make his show a pleasure. Andolora has written a slew of originals, but in keeping with the tone of the venue, plays mostly covers. He opened his set with The Beatles' "Across the Universe," then Oasis' "Wonderwall," Pink Floyd's "Breathe," Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit," Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody," and the `60s Bee Gees classic "To Love Somebody." "I like weird music," he said. He finished his first set with Elton John's "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long, Long Time)."
"It was nerve-wracking when I first started. I enjoy it now. I got choked up after the first time I played. The place was packed and all these people came out to see me. I don't even put a tip jar out because then it would feel like a job. This way I really enjoy it. If someone does tip me I usually buy me and (soundman) Jay (Hodge) a shot and pay my bar tab."
Andolora makes a conscious effort to make the tunes his own. The stripped-down arrangements focus all the attention on his voice, which is strong and clear, mournful and wistful - well suited to the material he chooses. "I can play happy songs, too," he said, but don't request "Brown Eyed Girl" or "Cheeseburger in Paradise". "Those songs just aren't my style. One day I'd like to make a living playing my originals. But for now I do [this] because I enjoy it, and people tell me they enjoy it. Nobody gets up and says 'Hey, I'm outta here,' so as long as they want me to, I'll keep doing what I'm doing."
Have a thought, comment or newsworthy item for Weekly Surge Music Notes? Send an email to pgrimshaw@sc.rr.com.