Music Notes | Cameron Nesbitt: ‘Well equipped to please the masses’

Texas-born Cameron Nesbitt, a singer/guitarist now living in Myrtle Beach, makes a statement with his stripped-down Americana/folk/rock blend of originals and covers. The young man with the extraordinary beard, hip assortment of hats, and gentle demeanor performs as a part of a few different acts to his spread his gospel of hillbilly chill.

“I was born in Austin, Texas, moved to Florence when I was 5, moved [to the beach] when I was 17 and joined the Army when I was 18,” said Nesbitt, “then I was stationed in San Antonio, Texas for two years as an Army Medic.” Nesbitt served in the Army between 2006 and 2010.

“I bought my first $50 guitar when I was 15, a plywood-body Kramer.” Nesbitt’s Texas-Carolina style and taste in music may be seen first-hand as he performs with Jentry Rose in Perlino, an acoustic duo, 2-3 p.m. April 2, at the Indie Market On Laurel, a festival of art, music and beer in downtown Conway, scheduled 2 p.m.-9 p.m. Following the Indie Market show Perlino will perform again that Saturday evening at the Rockin’ Hard Saloon in Murrells Inlet.

Nesbitt began performing locally in the fall of 2013 in a duo/band, Medicinal Whiskey, with Matt Craine. The pair parted ways and Nesbitt performed as a soloist before joining with piano bar master Tattoo Slover in a duo called Uncle Pecos. The pair still performs in the area. Additionally Nesbitt performs with The Winchesters, formed from a revolving crew of local players who focus on classic country.

“I guess I would describe my style as full-on Americana,” said Nesbitt. “The artists I cover the most are Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jason Isbell—a pretty vast catalog. I like the obscure stuff, but like to think I’m pretty well equipped to please the masses.”

Nesbitt performs every Monday night at Klocker’s Tavern in Myrtle Beach, and rarely misses a show. “I’ve missed two shows over the last two years there,” he said. “I guess I’ve done more than 100 Mondays. Jason Klocker is probably the biggest reason I have any sort of musical career in this town at all. He’s been a great friend and a great resource.”

Additionally Nesbitt hosts an open mic night each Wednesday at the Rockin’ Hard Saloon.

“The medical part of my Army career just wasn’t for me. I forged some great friendships and was glad to have served, but I did my stint. I’ve driven truck, I’m a certified welder, but music is how I want to spend my time. I look forward to adding more original tunes to the Winchesters’ show,” he said, “and Perlino, with the male/female heavy harmony-based music, is new to me, and I’m really loving that as well.”

May 1 marks the third birthday of Nesbitt’s beard, a date he and his sister decided was the “official” starting point of the seriously massive facial growth. Finding his way musically in the tourist-driven marketplace of the Grand Strand, performing music often birthed in a subgenre of a subgenre, seems, not unlike the beard on his face, to suit him just fine.

This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 1:00 AM with the headline "Music Notes | Cameron Nesbitt: ‘Well equipped to please the masses’."