Nikki Talley

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She recently quit her job as a bartender to dedicate herself full time to music.</div> <div>      "I've made a promise to myself to never work again unless it's as a musician."</div> <div>      Although leaving the security of a regular job can be scary, Ms. Talley feels no regret about her decision. </div> <div>      "It's the lifestyle. I don't understand why people settle for less. I can't believe some people settle to be unhappy just to have a big house or a car."</div> <div>      Her first gig was at Molley's Market in downtown Wilmington six months ago. Since then, she's performed all over town.</div> <div>      "This town has been very good to me as far as music goes. Within a year I've been able to quit my job," Ms. Talley said.</div> <div>      But Ms. Talley does more than just sing and play guitar - her fans say she puts on a heck of a performance. "I want to give them the fun, the glitter and all of that. I don't want to see some girl up on stage in her T-shirt and jeans. I don't care how good you are, it's always fun to see a crazy performance." </div> <div>      Musically, Ms. Talley has been compare to Annie D'Franco. Some of her influences include Natalie Merchant, Beruca Salt, Stevie Nicks and Sarah McLachlan. However, her greatest musical influence and inspiration is her mother. </div> <div>     "My mom must have sang to me in the womb, because as soon as I came out I was singing," Ms. Talley said. "She taught me how to play guitar and she gave me my first guitar when I was 3 or 4. I think I was just totally blessed with my mom's musical talent and ability."</div> <div>      But, don't compare her to Jewel or Tori Amos. "I don't like the stereotypes of 'oh you're just like Jewel, a girl on a guitar' or "it's Tori Amos on a piano," Ms. Talley said.</div> <div>      She doesn't mind if you compare her to Natalie Merchant though. "I was in the Shanakee one night and this girl from Australia said 'Is that Natalie Merchant?" to the bartender," Ms. Talley said. </div> <div>      Ms. Talley's music ranges from country roots to 'nothing but rock 'n' roll."</div> <div>      "I'd have to say that my vocals are my main thing. I think that if you give me anything vocally, I could do it. I've sung classically, operatic styles, blues, even jazz. And then country, I can throw the twang in there or I can scream punk rock," Ms. Talley said.</div> <div>      "It all varies from pretty sweet girl on piano, playing and singing her heart out to just don't mess with me edge, but still very lyrical and very sweet."</div> <div>      Nikki dreams the big dreams of a star.</div> <div>      She wants to stand out in the world and be known for something extraordinary. "I want people to know Nikki Talley as a musician, not a bartender, and not a waitress and not something else that a lot of other people do. I want people to say 'yeah that girl can rock.'</div> <div>      "I want to be able to share what I have in my head, in my heart and in my soul. I want to be able to give it to other people and inspire other people," Ms. Talley said. </div> <div>      Ms. Talley especially wants to be a role model for girls and a symbol of strength for wome. "I see little girls looking when they see me singing in clubs and on the streets and I hope they realize it's okay for a girl to pick up a guitar, say the bad words, rock out and be self confident about yourself."</div> <div>      Ms. Talley said too many people let themselves be walked on.</div> <div>     "I saw  women in my life - family, friends - be pushed around an dI was like...that's not going to happen to me."</div> <div>      Ms. Talley, originally from Reidsville, a town outside of Greensboro, says she is living the American dream.</div> <div>      "You know, the girl grows up in small town, then leaves small town and vows to never go back. It was a nice, safe place for me to grow up and not experience a big city kind of crazy lifestyle."</div> <div>      "Then I went to college and dyed my hair purple and said that I was going to quit school, join a punk rock band and move to Chapel Hill."</div> <div>      Ms. Talley attended Brevard College of Music in 1995 and stayed for one year. She then moved to Key West, Fla., at 19. </div> <div>      "I jumped on a Greyhound bus with my guitar and backpack, just like a movie, went down tehre and lived on a sailboat for 6 months."</div> <div>      She intended to visit a boy she met while on a family vacation, but ended up blowing him off for a 40-year-old. "I met a guy twice my age, and for some reason it worked. I just jumped on the boat, we sailed around and I would sing on the streeets for money down there. They have a sunset festival, like the one they have here and there's jugglers and fireeaters."</div> <div>     The street playing and sailing cycle continued for six months. "I'd save up money, we'd buy a bunch of supplies and go sailing for a month and then come back. It was the life but that was all you did and it got old." Ms. Talley moved home and attended UNC-Asheville to study music. She then moved to Wilmington where she's lived for the past year. </div> </td> </tr></table></body>