I admit, it’s really cool to say you know someone that has made it big. It’s also really cool just to know a nice person. Put it all together and you have Dominic McManus.
From Small Town Life To Life On The Road
Dom and I have been friends since the 90s, when I was a radio deejay at a radio station in Southwest Virginia and he was a member of a now defunct band called Even Keel. I worked the overnight shift on the weekends and he used to call and request songs while on long rides back from gigs. Good times. Fast forward a few years and Dom was playing for and touring with Jason Jones and then Steel Magnolia.
Touring with a top country duo is hard, with long, grueling hours, even for a single person. But Dom is married with kids. Raising a family in this business is tough, so Dom made the decision to move back to his hometown of Pilot Mountain, NC., so that he could spend more time doing the important things – like teaching your kids how to ride a bike and helping them with their homework. If this all sounds very “Mayberry” to you, that is because it is. I am from Mount Airy, NC., the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry in the Andy Griffith Show and Dom and his family are just down the road a little piece in Pilot Mountain. Remember Mount Pilot?
A Chat With Dominic McManus
I got the chance to chat with Dom this week to see what he is doing now that he is “taking a break.” You will see that the picture that Dom paints of “taking a break” doesn’t include nap time.
Rock: What are you doing these days, now that you are not on the road as much?
Dominic McManus: Well first of all thanks for talking with me Dawn! Its been a while. Lets see, right now I am trying to get used to living a somewhat normal life! Haha. I’m in the early stages of planning for a blues band that I want to start. I want to infuse all the styles that I love, like Blues, Jazz, Western Swing, and Rockabilly. Its going to be my biggest project to date and I want to play here in the Triad. I started a Facebook group called “NC Piedmont Triad Blues and Jazz Society” It already has 200 members. I encourage anyone that’s local and loves the blues to join! I also teach guitar to students that want to learn or want to expand their playing, lessons are in Pilot Mountain, NC and I also offer online video lessons via Skype or Google. I also intend on getting into more recording with local studios.
Rock: You have lots of experience in the business. I am sure you have tons of great stories and advice to give those hoping to be where you were.
Dominic McManus: Playing music professionally, regionally or locally is something a lot of people dream of doing. The saying is cliché but true, “If you dream it, you can do it!” I want to help encourage that. I plan on offering bands, artists and local venues consulting services, on what it takes to get to Nashville, what to expect when you get there, what to do when you get there, etc. Or even how to dress for success on stage, how to act on stage, the dos and don’ts of performing. And for venues, how to book bands, plan music events, getting the most out of your entertainment by promoting it!
Rock: Who gave you advice on how to act and dress on stage? Or who were your people that you looked up to?
Dominic McManus: That’s a great question. Well when I was in Steel Magnolia the record label hired a consultant to help us with image and stage presence. He is a world renowned dancer and consultant named Robert Royston. He helped me a lot on how to act and dress on stage. I have to admit, I thought I was doing pretty good before he came along, but I was wrong. Haha. A good polished image and training on performance goes a long way. Its really the little things and unfortunately in today’s society, its a shallow yet important factor. There are a lot of folks that I’ve looked up to over the years. One of the most influential gentleman is a Earl Thomas Conley. I’ve had the honor of being a part of his band and hope to play more shows with him this year. Earl, or ETC as he’s also known, is an amazing person, entertainer and songwriter. He has had 22 #1 hits and has broken so many records. But you would never know it. He is so humble and LOVES his fans more than anything! Over the short amount of time that I’ve known him, he’s really touched my heart and taught me how to have fun on stage again. That is one of the most important lessons that I have had to be re-taught.
Rock: I just love Earl Thomas Conley, too. 🙂 It’s great that you are using your experiences to help your small community. That is definitely an opportunity that people from a small town don’t often get.
Dominic McManus: Giving back to the community is something I’ve always wanted to be able to do. Now that I plan on becoming part of my community again I want to build a legacy in the NC Piedmont Triad for helping people in all aspects of music by passing on what I’ve learned as well as making people smile with music. Music, Love and Laughter are some of the secrets of a happy life, but none of them mean anything unless they’re shared with someone else.
Rock: What is the longest you ever were on the road without being able to come home?
Dominic McManus: There were 2 times that I was on the road longer than I’d like to have been. In 2010, I was on the Brad Paisley H20 tour and I was gone 32 days. Then in the summer of 2013, I went to Montana with a great singer songwriter from Muscle Shoals, Alabama named Johnny Holland. We played the famous Marlboro Ranch in Clyde Park, Montana for 46 days!! When I finally got home my family and I went to Florida for 2 weeks!! Haha!
Rock: Florida for 2 weeks? That doesn’t sound too bad! How would someone who is interested in learning to play guitar contact you?
Dominic McManus: I’ve started a website called DominicMcManus.com. All of my contact info is on there. Facebook, Google+, Email, etc. I am very easy to get in touch with if someone needs guitar lessons, a guitar player or consulting.
Rock: If someone wants to catch you onstage, are you currently doing any live shows?
Dominic McManus: Currently most of my shows are out of town. But once I get my blues band started I’ll post all the dates on my website. I also plan on having the community help me name my blues band. So if anyone has any suggestions I encourage them to send me an email! Whoever comes up with the name I go with will have free tickets to any of my shows! Forever! I also plan on forming an acoustic duo group in the spring.
View Comments (75)
Awesome interview. It's cool that you know him in real life. I think sometimes we look at "rock stars" and don't think of them as being real people LOL, but he sounds very down to earth.
He really is. It's hard to even think of him as being a "rock star."
Dom is one of the most sincere guys I know. I have been following his success since his early "before Nashville" days and he has certainly paid his dues to be where he is today. Music is certainly his passion and I am very proud of him for persuing that in ALL ways, just not professionally.
I agree. I remember going to see him at the Country Corral which is now shut down and another place - maybe it was Arizona Pete's - way before Nashville. I wish I could have caught him on one of the bigger tours. It would have been cool to see the progression over the years.
I first met Dom in 2004 when he was playing with the Even Keel band....I live in Virginia so it didn't take long for us to start making weekend trips down to North Carolina to hear them play...he was with some very talented guys back then.... but had a passion to pursue that career professionally...even though we missed him when he moved to Nashville , we always kept up with how his career was going and seen him on the road when we could...he has made his friends and long-time supporters very proud...even now that he's back in North Carolina I'll still make that trip down that road to catch him whenever possible....he has a wonderful talent
That's so awesome that you personally know him! The closest famous person I know is Kevin Sharp. He was famous in the 90's for songs like "Nobody Knows", and "She's Sure Taking It Well". He is my cousins fathers brother,lol. He performed at my cousin's wedding reception.
Oh yeah, I remember him! Very cool. :) How is he doing? Is he doing any music or anything or what is he into these days?
How cool! Around here, we see musicians fairly regularly, but to actually know one is another story. :)
I wish I knew a rock star! lol I hope he finds a new name, I can't wait to hear what they sound like!
What a great interview! You did a wonderful job!
I bet this was a great expereince for you! I cannot think of a great name right now but I wish him all the sucess in the world.
That is really cool to have a friend who is a singer/performer. Thanks for sharing his website, I knew someone who needs a guitar lesson.
What a great interview with an obviously multi talented and down to earth performer! I have not heard any of his music that I know of anyway but will be listening for his songs in the future.
Dawn,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story. I greatly appreciate your friendship and support over the years. And I'd also like to thank everyone for their kind words in the comment section.
Dom
Always a pleasure, Dom. :)