Andy Dolson’s album, ‘Tide,’ will be available at his CD release party tomorrow at Scott’s Folkatorium tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Credit: Ben Breier

While many people associate Nashville, Tenn., with honky-tonk country music, local musician Andy Dolson recognizes it as the place where he got his true start.

The 21-year-old from Stow contacted producer Mitch Dane, best known for his work with Jars of Clay, in hopes of obtaining an internship, but got more than he bargained for.

“When he asked for a demo of my work, I sent it, and he said he’d be willing to work with me,” Dolson said. “I didn’t realize how much that meant, however, until I went down and realized how many people he gets CDs from every week.”

Dolson now plays the guitar, but got his start when he was 9 playing the piano. With help from his high school band instructors, he learned the trumpet and the drums. The guitar, however, was self-taught.

While music has always been Dolson’s true love, snow skiing, water skiing, fishing and running are free-time fun.

It wasn’t until a year ago that he realized how important music was to him.

“I started playing open mikes again, and realized the path I would take to have a career in music,” Dolson said. “Venues started asking me to play and they paid me. How cool is that, to get paid doing what you love?”

He hopes to take his small cafe experience to the big arena where his imagination and ambition can run wild, but the first step is getting heard.

“The only way to get your music out there is to play. The biggest satisfaction comes when you’re totally absorbed in the music; nothing else matters. You’re able to be a part of something larger than life.”

Through the help of Dane, Dolson traveled to Nashville where he recorded a six-song CD titled Tide. While some of the songs may be found on his other two independent releases, they are all newly recorded – some rewritten and with new musicians.

Dolson described his music as “a combination of guitar-driven rock, catchy melodies and contemplative lyrics combining influences from rock, jazz and folk.” He calls himself a mix of Switchfoot and John Mayer.

His newly formed band, including Jonathan Penn, Ben Smith and Dave Nitszche, plans on touring with Dolson. He feels his band is in the beginning stages, but once they are ready, they plan to take the gigs abroad.

“I’ve established relationships with people in the music business just by recording in Nashville,” Dolson said. “Now I plan to sell it and market it to labels, radio stations, venues, managers, agents, and get as much buzz going around here about the CD.”

Tide will be released tomorrow. It can be purchased for $10 at any show and will be available by song on iTunes within the next few months.

For additional information visit andydolson.com.

Contact ALL Correspondent Tiffany Strong at [email protected].