Nick DeMaio
the ambassador
1931 - 2015
The Ambassador's Story
"The Ambassador", Nicholas M. DeMaio Jr. (Jay), was born in Stamford, Connecticut on September 14, 1931 to the late Mary (Abate) DeMaio and Nicholas M. DeMaio Sr. Growing up in Stamford’s historic west side, Nick maintained strong roots there, later becoming a 57 year resident of Darien. After graduating from J.M. Wright Technical High School in 1948, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies baseball organization. He went on to play minor league baseball for several years, including the K.O.M. league based in Commerce, Oklahoma. Nick joined the Armed Forces during the Korean War and continued to play baseball for the U.S. Army team.
At the conclusion of his service, he continued his 50 year career in printing at Communications Corporation in Stamford where he was the plant manager. Nick married the love of his life, Molly, in 1956 and moved to Darien in 1958. He was a longtime member and former president of the Piedmont Club in Darien, as well as a proud member of the Stillwater Indians baseball organization.
Apart from his family, Nick’s greatest legacy is in country music. Nick was known to his legions of fans as “the Ambassador of Country Music”, and as a respected vocalist and authoritarian of this genre. He was a member of “The Country Singing Pals” for 17 years before joining his sons in the band “Gunsmoke” for the past 23 years. Nick was widely known in the country music and western swing communities from Connecticut to Nashville, forming relationships and performing with country legends such as Ray Price, Hank Thompson, and Hank Williams Jr. Nick was proud to have performed for both President George H. and President George W. Bush during their campaign tours. Yet above all of his career highlights, Nick had no greater joy than sharing the stage with the three generations of family in “Gunsmoke.”
In a 2016 interview with the band, the Ambassador said, "After all these years, I'm playing with my two sons for quite a few years, and now my granddaughter and my grandson are with us. Sometimes I can't believe we're all on stage together making this music. It's just a wonderful, wonderful feeling."
The Ambassador was an essential part of the Gunsmoke Band. His granddaughter, and Gunsmoke's female vocalist, Christina says, "I think one of the greatest inspirations to me on stage is my Grandfather. After so many years of singing these songs, he still comes out every night with such energy and such love for these songs - I think the audience always responds really well to his presence. He's just so wonderful to watch and share the stage with."
The Ambassador was not only beloved by his fans, but he adored them as well, "We've made friends and many of them are like family today," the Ambassador said, "it's just a wonderful feeling that people enjoy our music."
Sadly, The Ambassador passed away peacefully at his home in Darien after a four-month battle with cancer on December 6, 2016. Shortly before his passing, he was able to see the finished product of his final studio album, You're The Best Thing, thanks to the hard work of his grandson, and Gunsmoke drummer, Nick, who worked hard to finish the album artwork. This final album was produced by The Ambassador's son and Gunsmoke's steel guitar player and vocalist, Jeff, and was recorded live in Nashville with the A-Team studio musicians.
At the conclusion of his service, he continued his 50 year career in printing at Communications Corporation in Stamford where he was the plant manager. Nick married the love of his life, Molly, in 1956 and moved to Darien in 1958. He was a longtime member and former president of the Piedmont Club in Darien, as well as a proud member of the Stillwater Indians baseball organization.
Apart from his family, Nick’s greatest legacy is in country music. Nick was known to his legions of fans as “the Ambassador of Country Music”, and as a respected vocalist and authoritarian of this genre. He was a member of “The Country Singing Pals” for 17 years before joining his sons in the band “Gunsmoke” for the past 23 years. Nick was widely known in the country music and western swing communities from Connecticut to Nashville, forming relationships and performing with country legends such as Ray Price, Hank Thompson, and Hank Williams Jr. Nick was proud to have performed for both President George H. and President George W. Bush during their campaign tours. Yet above all of his career highlights, Nick had no greater joy than sharing the stage with the three generations of family in “Gunsmoke.”
In a 2016 interview with the band, the Ambassador said, "After all these years, I'm playing with my two sons for quite a few years, and now my granddaughter and my grandson are with us. Sometimes I can't believe we're all on stage together making this music. It's just a wonderful, wonderful feeling."
The Ambassador was an essential part of the Gunsmoke Band. His granddaughter, and Gunsmoke's female vocalist, Christina says, "I think one of the greatest inspirations to me on stage is my Grandfather. After so many years of singing these songs, he still comes out every night with such energy and such love for these songs - I think the audience always responds really well to his presence. He's just so wonderful to watch and share the stage with."
The Ambassador was not only beloved by his fans, but he adored them as well, "We've made friends and many of them are like family today," the Ambassador said, "it's just a wonderful feeling that people enjoy our music."
Sadly, The Ambassador passed away peacefully at his home in Darien after a four-month battle with cancer on December 6, 2016. Shortly before his passing, he was able to see the finished product of his final studio album, You're The Best Thing, thanks to the hard work of his grandson, and Gunsmoke drummer, Nick, who worked hard to finish the album artwork. This final album was produced by The Ambassador's son and Gunsmoke's steel guitar player and vocalist, Jeff, and was recorded live in Nashville with the A-Team studio musicians.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE LEGACY OF THE AMBASSADOR
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