Open Mic Nights

In this day and age of American Idol, Rock Star and other musical reality television shows, anyone can try to be a star. Karaoke bars are everywhere, and as a music storeowner that isn’t a bad thing. But, as a singer I have discovered a new way to promote my music store and my town’s musicians. We call it Open-Mic Night. The difference between karaoke and Open-Mic is this: Open-Mic is live. You don’t need cds, tapes, or TV monitors for Open-Mic Night to work. Another positive is you can use a small P.A. or can go as big as a full band set-up. The choices are unlimited.

We do our Open-Mic night at a locally owned pizza parlor called ”Pizza Lane“. This is a fun, family oriented place with great food and a nostalgic atmosphere that welcomes you the moment you walk through the door. The owner (a huge music lover) helps us promote our Open-Mic Night, called Wings and Strings, on his web-site and on My Space. We have had national recording artist and hometown hero Bill Pinkney of the Original Drifters sit in, as well as, Nashville singer and songwriter Rob Crosby. We do Wings and Strings every Wednesday night from 7:00-10:00, although sometimes it can go on longer. Wings and Strings has become so popular with musicians and music lovers alike, that if you haven’t grabbed a seat up front by 6:30, chances are you are going to be sitting in the back or not sitting at all. What a great problem to have!

So here is the message, if you are a singer, guitar player, sax player, or if you play any instrument at all, look for your local Open-Mic Night and participate. And more importantly, if your town doesn’t yet have an Open-Mic Night, start up a friendship with your local independent music store and begin one. It will benefit you both .

RA Campbell webmaster