THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 18, 1996 TAG: 9607170133
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 68 lines
RICHIE NIERMAN loves to play, loves to sing.
But talking is another thing.
``The hardest thing about performing is talking to the crowd,'' he said, wincing a little at the second hardest thing - ``being interviewed. I've never done this before.''
So let's begin with easy questions:
Where do you live? ``Crittenden.''
What do you do? ``I'm a fitter at Newport News Shipbuilding.''
Who are your folks? ``Charlotte and Richard.''
As much as he loves his dad, Richie said, he was not his musical inspiration: ``He can't hit a note to save his life.''
So back up one generation.
``My grandfather played guitar,'' said Richie, who will play and sing Saturday at Mainstreet's Raw Bar.
``He's one of the best'' acoustical and country musicians, said Matt Musolino, owner-manager of the restaurant. ``It's fortunate that he represents Suffolk.''
And, he predicted, ``One day, you'll say you knew him.''
When he was 10 years old a man Richie knew, Uncle Stumpy - ``he wasn't really my uncle and I can't remember his name,'' gave him his first guitar. That was followed by a month of lessons, followed by learning on his own.
``I wish I hadn't dropped the lessons,'' he said. ``I'd like to know more about theory.''
Richie, 31, played drums in the John Yeates High School Band.
``Mom brought me a drum set,'' he said. ``Again - no lessons.''
His first instruments were utensils.
``The other kids would be playing hide-and-seek,'' Richie said. ``I'd watch `em while I was playing the spoons.''
There is little money in that, so he concentrated on guitar. He has been performing professionally for six years, playing acoustic by himself, in several clubs around the area, and country with The Mann Sisters.
``The band thing is easier, more fun. You have a lot of camaraderie on stage, and the pressure isn't on you,'' said Richie.
He described himself as a rock `n' roll guitarist, ``but I keep an open mind.''
Playing in rock bands was commonplace for him a few years ago, when he kicked around with such Hampton Roads groups as Street Talk, Never Surrender and Inyur.
As a soloist, Richie has more freedom in song selection. Some of the pieces are self-penned, including ``Southern Winds'' and ``It Was A Dream.''
Usually he plays cover tunes, songs made famous by people like Garth Brooks, Dan Fogelberg and Dave Mason.
Whenever he can, Richie likes to put aside the guitar and pick up a tennis or racquetball racket.
Still, ``my hobby is music,'' Richie said. ``My wife, Shannon, won't let me have any more.''
The couple have a 15-month-old son, Kyle.
Someday, perhaps Richie will teach him to play music and pass along his how-to-entertain philosophy: ``Please the crowd.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Richie Nierman will play acoustic guitar Saturday at Mainstreet's
Raw Bar.
AT A GLANCE
What: Richie Nierman, acoustic musician.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Mainstreet's Raw Bar, 1467 North Main St. Phone 934-9235.
No cover charge. by CNB