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A Tribute to the Music, Magic & Memory of NICK ANDROS Nick Andros "The long habit of living, indisposeth us for dying." - Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682) Nick Andros was one of those rare individuals who understood that life is what we make of it. The first time I met Nick I was struck by his charm and determination. He was on the verge of releasing the first Poke CD and the energy, hope, and promise in his eyes proved to me on the spot that Nick knew the magic of creation provided all the meaning & spark needed to elevate life from the commonplace to the extraordinary. And Nick was an extraordinary talent in more ways than one. A native of Saginaw that played varsity tennis and graduated from Saginaw Heritage High school in 1990, he earned his Bachelor's degree from Western Michigan in Professional & Applied Ethics - again, a unique avenue of study in these all too unethical & cynical times. After engaging in pharmaceutical sales, Nick went on to join the Inaugural Staff of The Saginaw Spirit and always proved to be a shining and rising star on the local music scene, both with his solo work and in his bands Poke and The Red Room. In 2002 Nick earned the honor of being nominated Best Rock Songwriter by readers of this publication in the 2002 Review Music Awards, and in a lot of ways, I often turned to Nick as a musical barometer of what was exciting, compelling, fresh, and new in music, whether local or national. Apart from finding that we shared similar musical tastes, he possessed a voracious appetite for new material and artists - always keeping his ears planted in the clubs, his feet firmly on the ground, and his head crackling with the stars. Indeed, I remember a couple years back when Nick told me that he'd been having trouble writing lyrics so was going to take a vacation to Florida to hang on the beaches and sit in solitude with his guitar, hopefully to absorb some flames of inspiration from the setting sun. Upon his return, Nick reported that he summoned some lyrical seeds for one or two new songs, and then advised me to check out the new Coldplay cd. One year later that cd broke nationally in a major way and proved to my mind that artistically, Nick was always ahead of his time as much as he was a reflection of it. So it was with great sadness and shock that we learned of his passing at the all too young age of 31, dying in his sleep from complications stemming from an enlarged heart. It's a funny thing about a heart - for such a resilient organ, capable of enduring the sorrows of loss along with the raptures of joy - ultimately they break for all of us; sadly for some of us, sooner than others. And so we are left with the memories and music of a wonderful artist - an artist that while not as famous as the likes of Brian Jones, Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix or Jim Morrison - nonetheless left us all too soon, with a burgeoning talent in its infancy. Rather than wax clinically and analytically about the music and times of Nick Andros, I thought it fitting to ask some of his closest friends & colleagues to share their own thoughts about this talented and dedicated creative force within our community - a man that left a legacy of friendship, love, hope, humanity, and passion that can never be replicated in his wake, but will always be remembered. Robert E. Martin Editor & Publisher Review Magazine o Nick Andros with Poke from 2000 Saginaw lost a Great Spirit in more ways than one with the tragic passing of Nick Andros. "Absent" will haunt me for years to come. I often mentioned to Nick how heart-wrenching the material contained on that magnificent album was and how that emotional impact inspired me in so many ways. Passion conveyed through music speaking volumes about loss and moving on. Now we are left to do just that, with the help of this therapeutic album. Even 2 plus years after its release that glorious CD remains a staple of my exhaustive playlist. A Michigan Music Masterpiece Poke's "Absent" will always be. In this sad time I have found new meaning in the lyrical prose Nick so masterfully penned. "It looks as if I'm absent. It seems as though I'm absent. You can mark me absent." Though gone, Nick will never be "Absent" from the hearts, minds and souls of those many who loved him. Even in this time of hardship the one enduring thing we learned from Nick Andros rings true leaving great memories for all to cherish - Everlasting hope lives on.... "In the end there's so much more than life..."
Poke "Wake Up"
Ed McArdle Review Music Critic o Nick will truly be missed. Those who knew him, heard his voice, or saw him perform will have something to cherish forever. I thank him for the chance to be a part of his life. Andy Reed Co-founder of 'The Haskels' o Dear Nick, I remember when we used to joke that if I died you'd get my guitar. I'd laugh and say that I get yours regardless. I still feel bad about burning your seagull. That was my favorite guitar. I always felt that I was at my best with you. You made my songs. You made me better. John Kujawa Musician & Collaborator PS. Tony feels bad because he owes you $5.00 for the Poke cd. I'll hold it for you. o It's difficult to accurately express how I felt that Monday afternoon when I got the call. I guess you could say that I literally felt my heart sink to the depth of my sole. Nick was a unique and talented person. I only knew him for eight years, we never played in a band together, but I was lucky enough to consider him a friend. The past year Nick and I frequently played, explored musical ideas and worked together on original music. I now regret that we both let our busy personal lives keep us from ever getting to the studio, but I will always have the music that we wrote in my head. My heart and prayers go out to Nicks family and friends. Carry on good friend. Your music will live in our heads and hearts forever and you will be deeply missed. John Dinsmoore Musician & Collaborator o Nick Andros was a good friend of mine and I'm happy to be able to say that. I was fortunate to become fast friends with him at a time when we both kind of leaned on each other for our respective strengths, - he was outgoing, ultra-confident and full of energy and I was introspective, self-driven and solitary. I spent my days brooding and working on music and feeling as if time were catching up with me and he got me out of the basement (that's where I work), back to Saginaw and introduced me to a new group of friends and musicians. He was passionate about everything he did and it was this passion for life in him that showed me that it didn't really matter whether you were a musician struggling to be heard, as there was joy to be found in the struggle. We got to spend a bit of time together just enjoying what life had to offer - the power and brilliance of music -and the exhilaration of playing it - the joy of laughter and mischief with friends--the love of family - and the beauty of women. I'm not exactly sure why but since I've left Saginaw it's become a hard place for me to come back to--- And now it's going to be harder. I will miss him. Donny Brown Co-founder of The Verve Pipe and producer of Poke's CD 'Absent'. o Oct 8th 1:06 PM In these days after Nicks' death we are all still in disbelief. It hits you and then it goes away for a bit and then hits you again. I think for all of us that knew him the best all we can do is realize how lucky we were to have him in our lives for as long as we did. I definitely do. Tom, Donny, J.J. myself, other friends and family of Nicks have started talking about a scholarship in Nick's name. A friend of ours is building a website for it. Dean has agreed to give all proceeds of The Poke cds and another cd of just Nick and Dean at the Redeye to The Nick Andros Foundation. I have talked to some local businesses and they have shown overwhelming support for the idea and have pledged to help out in anyway. As soon as I get information I will pass it on to all of you. Lets give all the love Nick gave to us back to someone who needs financial help and who loves music as much as Nick did. Look at stars, look how they shine for Nick. Dan Ardouin Friend & Member of Jedi Mind Trip o Nick and I shared moments people can only dream about. I can't begin to tell you about the passion that went into our music. Nick gave himself 100% all of the time. I could always count him being there for me on and off the stage. Nick gave me a vehicle to play music the way I always wanted to. The music will live on in my heart forever. I will always be thankful to Nick for all he gave to me. Rest in Peace my brother and Friend. Dean Vanston Co-founder of Poke, guitarist, songwriter, collaborator o I sat in amazement at the funeral parlor and watched as what seemed like a thousand people walked up to pay their last respects. I thought about how many peoples' lives this man touched and how many will miss him. I had the honor of knowing Nick for many years and playing music with him the last year of his life. I always loved his voice. He sang with such great feeling on his original songs. You knew he was singing from his heart. It's a sad day when you lose such a great talent - think what could have been? But I know in my heart that Nick is happy now and he's looking down at us with a smile. I'm thankful I was able to know Nick, play music with him, and most of all, proud to say I was a friend of Nick Andros. Thanks for all the great memories and we'll see you soon. Pete Schaller Friend, guitarist, and co-founder of 'The Red Room' o For my dear friend and colleague, Nick; You have made a difference in so many people's lives, including mine. We knew each other through many good times and many low times and I always felt better after we talked. Thank you for supporting and inspiring me musically, and as a friend, Nicholas - I will miss singing with you and hearing you sing your beautiful music. And as I've said many times recently, I cannot imagine our wonderful community of musicians here without you. I look forward to taking part in keeping your memory and your music alive. With Much Love, Noel Howland Friend, keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter, co-founder of 'Lila Rasa' o I knew Nick since he was 16 years old and in a lot of ways, I always thought about him as my 'little brother'. There was just so much about Nick to like. As brothers will do, we didn't always agree on things, but the love and laughter was always constant. Professionally, I enjoyed working with Nick, booking Poke into JB Meinbergs, and was a big fan of his music. When I first heard Absent, I told Nick that at least two-songs were 'radio-ready'. Plus, when Nick joined the inaugural staff of The Saginaw Spirit, he helped in cementing our relationship with the team. Personally, Nick was always honest, encouraging, and a pleasure to know. I will miss him greatly. Brian Wood WNEM-TV 5 & Owner of JB Meinberg & Woody O'Briens o The Saginaw Spirit have lost a true friend with the death of Nick Andros. Andros was a member of the inaugural Saginaw Spirit staff, and an account executive with the Spirit during the 2002-03 season. Spirit fans will remember him for his energetic introductions of Spirit players during the opening line-up of each Spirit game. In addition to his on-ice duties with the Spirit, Andros was a talented musician who had appeared in the Bud Light Blue Line Club, and his band, "The Red Room" played outside of the Saginaw County Event Center on opening night, 2003. He was an all-around likable guy and will be missed. Cameron Knowles Saginaw Spirit |
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