SACKETS HARBOR — One's a restaurant owner; the other's a musician. But what do Andrew Hanzlian and Andy Taylor have in common?
For one thing, they're the same person. Andy Taylor is the stage name of Mr. Hanzlian, owner of Tin Pan Galley and 110 West Main (located on the floor above Tin Pan) in Sackets Harbor.
"I got involved in the restaurant business back in '86 when — I was married at the time — my wife and I decided to buy the building next door (to their house). That was how Tin Pan got started," said Mr. Hanzlian, who co-founded the business and the village bakery Chrissy Beanz with his wife, the late Cheryl A. Hanzlian.
Mrs. Hanzlian died of cancer in 2005 and was a large part of the creative force behind the business and the bakery.
As for being an instrumentalist and singer, Mr. Hanzlian began at a young age in his hometown of Buffalo.
"I started music very early. I think for my first playing job I was 12 years old. I had a band called The Bandits," he said.
Today, Mr. Hanzlian plays the trumpet, violin, banjo, guitar, flute, and harmonica at dinnertime at Tin Pan Galley.
Mr. Hanzlian's music primarily consists of covers of hit bands. Among the wide variety of artists he covers are Elton John, Train, Jimmy Buffet and Johnny Cash. His styles range from bluegrass to pop/rock. He has been the opening act for musicians such as Badfinger, Willie Nelson and Bob Seger.
"As soon as I built the first patio (in 1988), I started playing music there," said Mr. Hanzlian. Although he does not play upstairs at 110 W. Main, which he also owns, he will perform for parties and other special occasions at Tin Pan Galley if requested.
Despite performing for more than two decades, Mr. Hanzlian said that many of his customers do not realize that Andy Taylor is also the owner of Tin Pan.
"A lot of times they don't even really know," he said. "I don't hide it, but I don't advertise it, either. I generally go by my real name if I introduce myself, but still many people know me by my stage name."
When asked how he balances the two careers, Mr. Hanzlian said simply that he doesn't anymore. While he used to play around the area as part of the Andy Taylor Show, being a restaurant owner has demanded a great amount of his time.
"You're constantly working with different personalities. There's people that you're responsible to at all times," Mr. Hanzlian explained. He added that concern about upcoming specials, remaining in sync with the chefs, and owning Chrissy Beanz in the village all present challenges as well.
Rose Trump, the executive chef at Tin Pan Galley, handles many of the food concerns at the restaurant.
"She does an amazing job for us," said Mr. Hanzlian. He is still involved in determining menus and cooking specialty items, however, so his time as a musician is limited.
As a result, said Mr. Hanzlian, "I don't take anything too serious anymore about music. I just go up there and have a good time. If I make a few mistakes, I laugh it off."
Still, the restaurant owner enjoys the intersection of the two careers. "I have a great deal of passion for the building and my patio and my food, and then of course for my music. And my wines, don't forget my wines," he said with a laugh.
As for the pairing of his songs with his customers' palates, Mr. Hanzlian recommends the melody-meal of Paul Simon's "Call Me Al" and Tin Pan's lobster truffle penne.
"Both of them are a lot of fun," he said.
To contact Tin Pan Galley, call 646-3812 or visit its Web site at www.tinpangalley.com.
