Cabrini student searches out dream; campus says farewell

ByKristen Williams news editor

A crowd gathered in Xavier rlall's Great Room on Sept. 1, l999. They were there to listen o the music of an "amazing" ;lassmate. They were there to listen for the last time.

Over the past two years, the local band Thirty Dollar Magic became regular performers at Cabrini. The group was comprised of four area guys; lead singer Nick Reilly was a Cabrini student. According to Reilly, the bandmates went their separate ways "sometime in July."

"It was getting hard to get together," Reilly said, "I guess everyone just didn't want to do it badly enough anymore."

On Sept. 2, Reilly headed south to Georgia where he hopes to "do nothing but music."

"I just want to do music all day and night," Reilly said, "I don't care about the money or fame. Sure I'd like it, but I just want to play."

When he arrives in Georgia, Reilly will be playing with Chris Harris, a touring member of Cool For August.

Reilly said, "I plan on looking for auditions with other bigger projects, but for now we're just doing a two-person acoustic thing."

Reilly and Harris will play in clubs and coffee houses in their area.

"Getting our name out will be the biggest challenge," said Reilly.

As the audiences eyes watched his hands glide across the strings of his guitar and listened to Reilly's serene voice, many were overcome by the thought of him leaving.

Junior Kristin Rusnack said, "Nick is just an awesome guy. I wish this area could offer what he needs."

Sitting next to Rusnack on the plaid couches of Xavier's lounge, junior Christie Martin fought back tears long enough to say, "He'll make it wherever he goes, I just wish he didn't have to go."

As he closed his show and said his good-byes, Reilly made sure to let his fans know they were appreciated.

Reilly said, "I just want to thank the people at Cabrini who supported Thirty Dollar Magic and who now continue to support me. So, thank you."

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