Meet Our Members ~ John Davidson of Club Sandwich

Please enjoy the latest installment of Meet Our Members, featuring John Davidson, whose new business, Club Sandwich, is sure to bring great pleasure and benefit to the Sandwich community. His energy and enthusiasm, after a long and stellar career as a comedian, author, actor, musician, TV host, singer, and entertainer, is remarkable! 

John getting ready for the opening of Club Sandwich. Photo by Tom Eastman

What is your name and the name of your business?
John Davidson's Club Sandwich.

How did you get to Sandwich, NH?
I grew up in West Bridgewater MA and have wanted to get back to New England for many years. I like the culture here. I like the trees. I like New Englanders. While I was touring in the Broadway musical Wicked, playing The Wizard, we came to Boston and went out to Lenox in the Berkshires to look at houses. We bought a home and lived there for 3 years, but the house was too small and too expensive. Our daughter and her family lived in Salem MA, so we began searching within a 2 hour radius  of Salem for a larger home at a reasonable price. We found the house of our dreams in Sandwich over 4 years ago.

John as a wee lad with his family.

What got you started in this profession?
I became a theater Arts Major at Denison University because of the theater students, and  theater is a great way to study human nature.  I was a shy kid and theater taught me the freedom of role playing. After graduation I went to NYC and was able to get jobs in musical theater and soon television and film. I found acceptance in the theater. I really can't do anything else.

John in the Los Angeles Times, 1966

John was the TV host of Hollywood Squares between 1986 and 1991.

John in the revival of Oklahoma!, 1965 at the New York City Center on Broadway

Tell us about your work. What do you make, do, or offer? 
I sing, write songs, and play guitar. Singing feels good when I do it.  And the coordination between my hands and voice is my favorite thing to do. I tell stories that touch people, and I enjoy using musical material to affect people. 

How did this business get started?
I have enjoyed a 55 year career in theater, television and film. This means that I have been a gypsy for a long time. At this point in my life I am ready to not travel as much, so when I found this little performance venue at 12 Main St. in Center Sandwich I decided to try my hand at producing my own music venue for my performances. Plus I can provide an intimate stage setting for the many talented singer/songwriters in New England. I have created a multimedia show space with rear screen projections to better tell the story of each song.

Club Sandwich, ready for an audience. Photo by John Davidson

What is the most fun/satisfying aspect of your work? 
Performing. touching an audience enough to make them laugh, cry, discover something new about themselves, or  inspire them to make the most of the brief time we have. 

What is the hardest?
Satisfying my need to do the perfect show. Someday I will do that. I'm pretty hard on myself. I usually follow the bows with the feeling that I could have done better.

What has happened to your business in this last Covid year? 
I have not started Club Sandwich yet because of Covid. We open July 2, 2021

John flying high in Club Sandwich!

What are your goals and hopes for the future?
Stay healthy. Sing better.  Play guitar better. Write more songs. Create the perfect musical performance. Welcome people back to my show again.

What else can you tell us about yourself?
I like people who are open, honest, and outspoken.  That's New Hampshire at it's best. I also like people who choose happiness.   

Click to watch John give a tour of the new Club Sandwich.

Club Sandwich, 973-634-8149.
For tickets and information please visit johndavidson.com