No Room at the Inn

"It's not something I can stop doing," Nick Cardilino says of his singing and songwriting. "Music is one of the main ways I look at the world. My brain just thinks in meloldies. If people wouldn't think I was crazy for breaking into song, I would be just like those characters in Broadway musicals who sing their conversations and their inner thoughts."

Nick's latest CD, More, is a shining example of that way of thinking, and exposes Nick's wide and various musical influences. Shades of the Beatles, James Taylor, Rich Mullins, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Kenny Loggins can be heard in the songs on this CD. Plus, there is some traditional country, Latin folk, techno dance, r&b, and even a novelty song thrown in for good measure.

Not only is there a wide variety of musical styles in Nick's songs, but the lyrics also demonstrate diversity, creativity, and craftsmanship. Some songs tell traditional Christian stories in new ways like "Dancin' on the Water." Others are classic love ballads like "More." Still others take the listener into the heads of interesting characters like the "Mini-van Man."

Although Nick has been involved in music since childhood, he only started writing seriously in college, when he co-wrote two musicals that were produced at his church. After a long hiatus, he got back to studying the craft and writing in 1995. Since then he has released two of his own albums, had songs featured on three songwriter compilation albums, had a song cut on an album by recording artist Alisha Lynn, and was part of songwriting teams that won a Tunesmith songwriting competition two years in a row in Nashville.

By day, Nick is a Catholic campus minister at the University of Dayton. "A lot of the inspiration for the songs I write comes from the experiences of the college students I work with," he says. He also works part time as a music minister at the Church of the Holy Angels in Dayton and plays occasional church and coffeehouse gigs and wedding ceremonies. He also volunteers as one of the co-coordinators of the Dayton-Cincinnati regional workshop of NSAI (aka Songwriters Workshop at Southbrook).

Nick and his wife Anne Marie have been blessed with three children they are very proud of: Christopher, Mary Joy and Anne Marie. "My family is a great inspiration for many of my songs," Nick says. "More importantly, they understand when my head is in songwriting mode." Mary Joy is thinking about being a photographer when she grows up; she took all the photos for Nick's latest CD, More.

"Although it would be nice if something I wrote made me a lot of money, fame, and recognition, what really matters to me is when people tell me that something I wrote touched them very deeply," Nick says. "If God uses this gift to help someone shed a healing tear or reminds someone to tell a friend, 'I love you,' or encourages someone to see a new aspect of our limitless Creator, then I think I've fulfilled my call."


Here's what the critics are saying:
"'More' is my favorite song. It's like he wrote it and sang it just for me...Oh that's right, he did!"
--Anne Marie Cardilino (Nick's wife)

"I don't care what anyone else says; Nicky writes the most beautiful songs and sings them like an angel."
--Carolyn Cardilino (Nick's mom)

"He's such a hottie!"
--Anne Marie Cardilino

"Whatever."
--All three of Nick's kids

OK, OK, here's what people who aren't related to him are saying:

"There is a common misconception among listeners and many artists alike that independently produced albums have to be inferior in both production quality and
content. Well, Nick Cardilino is here to set the record straight. His new CD “More” is filled with wonderfully produced and well-written tunes. Songs like “No Room For Hate” are an absolute delight, with its layered harmonies and catchy chorus, while the sadness of “Listening To The Rain” shows the wonderful range that Nick is capable of. With both heartfelt and playful lyrics his songs are a testament to his abilities as a highly skilled craftsman. He manages to bring a little something different to the table with each song. He taps the roots of traditional country with the soulful “The Tears Come One At A Time”, blues-rock on the foot-stomping “Mini-van Man”, and my personal favorite, the Motown-inspired “God Is Always Home”. So if you’re a fan of thoughtful lyrics, infectious melodies, and quality presentation you’ll be especially pleased to add this new CD to your collection."
--David E. Blowers

"Nick Cardilino is all heart, and one listen to his CD shows it. Here is a sample:

I love you more than a flame loves to glow
More than a fairy tale loves a long time ago
This love is more than any genius can know
More, I love you more ...

Nick's voice is beautiful and has an incredible range. From nailing the high notes in his sweet ballad title track to soaring to the low richness in the many of the other songs, he never sounds unsure.

The lyrics of Cardilino's songs have a wide range and talk about everything from being yourself to driving a mini-van. Cardilino's songs are about real life, and those who have a family will surely relate to some of the subjects.

The songwriting can be characterized as heartfelt, and some carry an uplifting spiritual message, such as track 1, "Dancin' On The Water, which carries a Christian message. The song actually has a Tom Jones feel to it -- the kind of feel that makes you want to chuckle a little but you find yourself humming along to anyway and remembering later on with a smile."
--Catherine Tulley, Indie-Music.Com

"Wow! I love Nick's voice! 'The Tears Come One at a Time' sounds just like Vince Gill, who is, by the way, my favorite all time male vocalist "
--DeAnn Sanders

"I really liked the first CD, but this second one is really excellent! My whole family has been listening to it all the time--in the house, in the car, on the computer..."
--Tami Whalen

"I'm so impressed by the variety of songs on this CD!"
--Dick Plunk

"Nick should be on American Idol. He'd win for sure!"
--Pam Roberts

"Thanks, but I'm way too old!"
--Nick Cardilino