Arts & Entertainment

Darien Musician Andrew Salgado Opens for The Ides of March

The singer-songwriter will perform Saturday at a Concert at the Montrose Room in Rosemont.

Andrew Salgado didn’t have too many choices for entertainment when he visited his grandmother as a child.

She only owned one movie — Rocky 3 — which Salgado estimates he watched some 30 times.

The theme song for Rocky 3 is, of course the Survivor classic “Eye of the Tiger,” which features one of the most memorable opening riffs in rock history.

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If you’re the type who believes in fate, there’s a reason why Salgado watched that movie and heard that song so many times.

For the past year and a half, Jim Peterik, a founding member of Survivor and The Ides of March who co-wrote “Eye of the Tiger,” has mentored Salgado as he writes his first album.

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Their relationship will hit a special milestone Saturday when Salgado opens for The Ides of March in a concert at the Montrose Room in Rosemont.

“It’s kind of surreal that life takes you on that kind of journey,” said the 25-year-old Darien singer-songwriter.

Salgado’s manager, Frank Pappalardo, introduced Salgado to Peterik about 18 months ago. The pair clicked after just one songwriting session.

“The first writing session was incredible,” Peterik . “The melodies and lyrics were flying faster than we could record them. And it's been that way every session since.”

Salgado frequently travels between Darien and Nashville as he works on his debut album, scheduled to be released sometime this spring. He describes the record as a true mix of country and pop that will appeal to listeners of both genres.

“(A song) has to get to that point where it gives you those little butterflies, when you can look back and say, ‘Did I really write this?’” he said. “Until I get that feeling I don’t show it to my producers.”

In addition to managing Salgado, Pappalardo, who has worked with the likes of The Beach Boys, is mixing the album, perfecting every drum kick and guitar strum.

Amid writing and recording the album, Salgado continues to work with the nonprofit Autism Speaks and will again perform at their annual walk at Soldier Field May 12.

On Saturday, Salgado will perform an acoustic set before The Ides of March takes the stage with the full band. He plans to perform mostly original songs off his upcoming album.

Salgado knows Peterik well after working together for so many months. But once Peterik starts performing Saturday, Salgado said he’ll be as much a fan of Peterik as a colleague.

“He’s always fun to watch because we’re very similar in how we write songs and perform,” Salgado said. “He loves the audience participation and interaction like no other. He plays with so much energy. I know when I do all my stuff, he’ll try to up it, which is just fun.”

Doors open at 8 p.m. Saturday for The Ides of March, with Andrew Salgado as the opening act. Tickets are still available at $40 for special reserved seating, $30 for VIP reserved seating and $20 for general admission. The Montrose Room is located at the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare, 5300 N. River Road in Rosemont.

For more information on Andrew Salgado, visit http://www.andrewsalgado.net.


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