The DJ Nixxx Experience

Let me start by saying I am at a really good place in my life. I’m happy, I’m as emotionally and physically healthy as I can get, and I have an abundance of friends and family who love and support me.

Nick Varraso is the reason why.

“How can one person be responsible for your happiness and well-being Julie?” You may ask. Sit with me as I tell you the tale of how one man changed my life.

It all started back in March of last year. I already told you the story of why I go out every night. Well if it wasn’t for Nick, I wouldn’t and I would be terribly depressed, agoraphobic, and socially awkward.

To rehash, one day last year I was desperate for friends. I made a post on Facebook and asked if anyone would be so kind as to go to karaoke with me. I searched up on Google and saw that DJ Nixxx has a weekly show at the Blue Olive Lounge in Fort Mill. For anyone who has ever known me, you know karaoke is my thing. It had been YEARS since I sang but it fell on a Wednesday night which was perfect for me because everyone would be asleep and I could break my week up so I decided to check it out.

My first time there I met my friend Randa. We just talked, I didn’t sing. My second time there I met my sister Dee and I was absolutely terrified to sing but this guy who made nice with me brought Nick over to me to introduce us and Nick, without ever knowing me, grabbed my chin and said “I believe in you.”

He’s said that to me countless times since.

So I sang. It was at that moment something reawakened in me.

As the weeks went by I became more and more brave and I sang my old karaoke favorites and slowly introduced new ones. I started making friends and came out of the shell I had built around myself. Dee became my sister and I met a handful of amazing people and we became a karaoke crew who were loyal to Nick and Nick alone. I refuse to go to any other show, Nick is my man.

I mentioned before that Blue Olive closed and relocated (and it’s reopening again soon. Can’t wait!) and I was lost in the wind. I had JUST begun to find myself. Before Nick, I couldn’t even talk to my neighbor. Once you get up in front of a crowd of people and sing? You can do anything.

In speaking with Nick he mentioned he has a show once per month at Empire Pizza in Rock Hill, SC and he bartends there on Mondays. Of course I knew about Empire, that’s where I get my pizza. I just didn’t think of it as a bar to hang out at. Boy was I wrong about that. Pretty sure that’s obvious by now, amirite?

I ventured down that way and what happened next changed my life – I met the rest of my family. Nick indirectly gave me Dee back at Blue. Nick also gave me Dex, Chris, Fabian, Tatiana, Tuck, and countless others. If I did a shout out to every friend I now have y’all would stop reading so just know if you’re reading this I’m thinking of how grateful I am to have you in my life.

Nick is the most genuine, attentive, considerate, complimentary, and loving friend. We talk every day. He DOES believe in me. He loves me. He praises me in every way a person can be praised. He knows everything about me, is there in a heartbeat when I need him, and is at the center of my social life.

Nick and I have a bond that will last a lifetime, of that I am sure. If you live in the Charlotte, North Carolina or Fort Mill/Rock Hill South Carolina area keep track of him on his Facebook or Instagram pages. If you want to be added to MY group of best friends join me at Empire every third Thursday of the month or hang out with me EVERY Wednesday at the Blue Olive Lounge in Fort Mill. It’s going to be reopening soon and that’s where I’ll be.

You guys, I am SO CONFIDENT now. I sing like eight times in a night on slow nights, which are rare. I can’t listen to the radio without wondering if I’m hearing a song I can sing at karaoke. I am social, I have friends, I have family. I have a sister, I have a brother, I have THE BEST friends. Not discounting the friends and family I have in NY, it’s just wonderful to have family by my side nightly, you know?

So thank you, Nick. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for Dee, thank you for Dex, thank you for YOU. May your business prosper and have me end up a geriatric karaoke groupie because for as long as you are a host, I will be your number one fan. I love you! You’re the one person Dex can’t cut! Believe that!