Nectar's

Downton Burlington seeme abandoned and too cold ‘round midnight, mid-winter, mid-week, now that holiday festivities have ended.

So, after dropping off a movie near Ben & Jerry’s, we realize we need fries with gravy and a check-in with friends before heading home.

The slow, steady spin of Nectar’s neon signals us; our assurance of friendly conversation and a live performance by one of our favorite Vermont bands (increasingly, the best alternative to national, commercial tube.)

“People like it that they can count on Nectar’s” , remarks Ann Rothwell, owner of the Metronome. “His (Nectar Rorris) friendly personality is wrapped into his business.” She pauses reflectively, rests her chin on her hand, squints at the ceiling with a slight smile.

Then, bringing her hand down on the desk, states emphatically, “He’s my mentor. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Nectar. That’s for sure, Nectar’s is the founder of The Metronome. Our address reads ‘Above Nectar’s.’ We don’t even have a sign. That’s how much of an institution he is.

“He’s a steady force in the community. You may not always like the music, but you like the fries.”

Yet, as Rothewell clarifies, “fries aren’t all Nectar’s is famous for.”

Phish, Chin Ho!, FreeFall, Blues for Breakfast, Texas Twisters and a multitude of other local musicians pay respect to the bible and friendly Greek Vermonter, not just because he's good business sense and involvement with his work - many days Rorris is at the restaurant/club/bar 16 to 18 hours straight; but, primarily because he recognizes and supports the belief that local talent draws in regular customers 265 days a year.

So, if a local group has a good act together, and they’re not so loud they drive customers away - he’ll give them a break.

Over the years, a lot of great bands have taken themselves seriously, and put their act together. Nectar’s Restaurant and Bar encouraged and started off many bands with their first gigs.

Eventually, many have gone and/or will move forward to gain a larger audience in the broader music industry.

In 1995 at Nectar’s we didn't have to wait for outside bands to drive up from Boston or New York to entertain us. Nor does Rorris make us pay extra charge to see our local talent. We don’t even need to wait for them to get famous and come back and charge us big bucks.. They’re here every night of the week - at Nectar’s.

“Some of these bands should move on.” Rorris frowns. “Sometimes, it’s too expensive for some bands to make a CD, to promote themselves and go to the next level.”

Decidedly, Rorris fills an important need for the grass-roots cultural growth of our community.

Nectar’s books band when they are good, ready, and willing to follow the rules; playing the game as professional musicians would be expected to do anywhere in the country, or in the world, for that matter.

In that sense, he’s not just a ‘mentor’ for Ann Rothwell and Metronome, but for professionally minded bands as well; providing a training ground for the profession, as well as growth and development of different band’s musical material.

“I think we’ve been lucky, because there are a lot of good local musicians. And they are putting good bands together.”

Rorris included, “And (here) they have a house to play.”

Jeff Miller, from The Burlington Coffeehouse at City Market, Believes “Nectar is a small god! He should be given an award for sticking with local musicians. I also think there’s a part of him that needs to do it.”

In fact, this may well be the case.

In the Greek Village where Nectar Rorris gew up, music was a part of the daily ritual each morning in school, He experiences a variety of musical styles through live performances with schoolmates and throughout the community; experiences viewed as a natural part of his life and the community’s culture.

Now, through his life’s work and business, he’s made sure love musical performances continue to be a real part of his life, to our advantage.

“Music gives you life,” says Rorris ``It peps you up to some degree. My grandfather used to say, ‘Reading feeds the brain and music gives you inspiration and motivation.’ I believe it is important and that it should be taught in schools. Music gives some kind of life. It’s healthy.

In 1975, Nectar’s opened, sold, and returned to the tune of 15 years in total, helping the Burlington music scene.

Modestly, he’s quick to recognize a history of worthy Burlington clubs which preceded his establishment; those who gave frequent and steady gigs to local artists…”Minerva’s,The Sting, The Outback, Hunt’s, Silver Keg, The Red Dog, The Lighthouse, Sam’s, and a club that use to be above Francesca’s jewelry.”

Is there a success formula Rorris operates from?

“Original (music) is my favorite.” Rorris explains. “And change is healthy. It’s good for the economy… Different bands…different crowds.”

“Female vocalists add a lot. We have several bands with female vocalists. It’s a different feeling. The (crowds) respect the women performers.

“When people read in the papers - we have different bands every night”, he says, “it makes it more interesting for people to look into. Their curiosity brings them in when they look in the club notes in all the papers. “Oh, look! There’s another; a different band’s playing at Nectar’s. Let’s go see it!” He smiles.

“I don’t know what it is,” He admits. “We have a lot of good bands in the area. Maybe it’s something in the water. I don’t know. I wish we had more days of the week, so we could play all the different bands.”

From all the accounts, observation and conversations - the evidence is clear Rorris recognizes, and respects musicians as professionals. With a vital role to play as members of the community.

“They’re treated like all my other employees, and (it’s) expected for them not to look down on the waitstaff…nobody’s better than anyone else…” Rorris admits he’s had to say to band members they couldn’t play unless they had it together. 

“Sometimes I had a little problem with a ban, and I’d have to say, ‘Look, you’ve gotta cool it! You’re still an employee. You’re doing a job. Your job is as a musician.” Rorris explains.

“I like to deal with the nice guys in the bands/ They should respect me, as well, from a business point of view. And they should respect the employees of Nectar’s…I like to see a family type atmosphere - unity, understanding.”

As for other house roles for bands; if they have to change plans, he’s flexible - “if they’re going to make more money, like for a wedding; if they can’t find a replacement band, I’ll help them out and find another band.”

Rorris doesn’t like a lot of equipment. “We have our own PA system. This isn’t an auditorium…I like to control the volume to some degree… Not to drive people out of the place.

“They can bring in their own lighting and sound people. They can put some things like suitcases down in the basement, out of the way, instead of in the hallway.” And, in addition…

“There’s room enough for up to eight musicians on the bandstand. There’s easy access to double-park out front anytime of the day, so the bands can getset up instead of fighting with the marketplace…It's pretty quiet in here during the time the bands are setting up.

“Also, we’re laid back…low key…I could have invested in fixing the place up. But this is comfortable for people…quiet during the day for private meetings, away from the main drag, so to speak. Then we’re busy with the bar and different local musicians seven nights a week…

“There are just a few guidelines,” Rorris concludes. “I like the bands to start on time; they play for sets at 55 minutes each. On Saturday, at 9:20 sharp, bands are expected to begin that way, they can complete four sets.”

So, like the Chin Ho! the song says: “Meet me at Nectar’s…Better come early.”

Patricia Braine’s photography and articles about musicians have been published locally and nationally since 1972.