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Just lined a new event - I'll be hosting a new acoustic open mic, every other Wednesday starting on June 3.
Dolly Shakers (formerly Wicked Twisted)
38 E Hollis St
Nashua, NH
7-10pm, 3 song minimum, go in order of sign-up

Just lined up a new event - I'll be hosting a new acoustic open mic, every other Wednesday starting on June 3.
Dolly Shakers (formerly Wicked Twisted)
38 E Hollis St
Nashua, NH
7-10pm, 3 song minimum, go in order of sign-up

Its not unusual around here on weeknights. If there are still people signed up who haven't played yet, I'll keep it running. By 10pm, most of the early arrivees are gone. When I was running the OM last year, by 10:15 I'd usually have had everyone play once, and I'd have to try to talk some of the folks who were still hanging out to come up and play a few more songs to fill out the night to 11. Many times, I had to get up and do 20 minutes of songs to an almost-empty place.
They wanted me to run this until 11, but didn't want to pay me any more (or even supply a free dinner!) so I held my guns - besides, it's a 40 minute drive for me, and I'm up for work at 6 in the mornings, so don't want it running late.

In big cities (Boston, for example), the events can run later, but not out in the sticks (Nashua's a city, but barely).
Many OMs start out with a half-hour to hour set by the host which shortens the event anyway, but I warm things up with a quick 3 songs, then get the OMers started. Quick changes between players, too. I've gone to some 'open jams' where it takes 10 minutes between players - with 7 players, that's an hour wasted! I've had trios and even a 5-piece band come, and I get them going in a few minutes.

Only ever heard 2 complaints about the last OM I hosted - once was a comedian (who wan't funny) that came - even though it was a 'no comedy' event, and he got pissed off when no one laughed and ended his act before I could; the other was a guy who was a real 'diva' and didn't like the house PA system (of course the fact that his self-made guitar and dual source preamp didn't sound very good had nothing to do with it...)

After a slight delay (licensing issues) the club finally opened last night. They've still got lots of work to do, but are anxious to get the place moving again. Only found out Monday night that tonight would be my first open mic, so scrambled a bit getting the word out and last night checking and packing up all my gear after visiting the place and reviewing their PA hookups.
For whatever reason, the system is hooked up with wall-mounted snake next to the stage to the mixer which is up on a little balcony 10 feet up in the air in a corner on the back wall (how can you tell what the room sound is from up there?) I knew this from the times I had been there last year - no way I'm running up the stairs to adjust stuff evey time I change a player, so I'm setting up my mixer next to the stage, then run its output to the snake and leave their mixer at neutral settings, I can make all adjustments and mutes from my mixer, and run the monitor from it as well.

For a last-minute new venue event, it was a success last night. Had 10 sign ups, so everyone got to do up to 6 songs each (some folks only wanted to do 3 or 4) - half the people were people who used to come to my opn mic last year or that I knew from other area open mics, the rest were new folks. Next one is July 1.

The club has now asked me to host the open mic every Wednesday, at least temporarily - the electric open jam that was scheduled for alternate weeks has been cancelled.
Had 10 sign-ups for the first one, 7 for last week's (there were tornado warnings and bad storms blowing through the area that evening). The jam was cancelled for a few reasons - small turnout, the host didn't advertise well and was less-than-congenial to people attending, and didn't start the event until after 9pm (scheduled for 8 originally).
Me - I promote heavily, take photos and videos of all performers, talk to everyone who comes in - basically I work my butt off to make sure the event is all it can be. Last week I played lead on some songs with one guy who asked me, and also played 1 song with Tammy (remember her when she was here?) Not sure who may show up for the 'jam' this week and be disappointed there's no full band to back them up.

They've asked me to host the next 2 Wednesdays, as well, 7/22 and 7/29. No decision on whether this will continue in August though. Club finally had its 'grand opening' last Friday, had a heavy rock band play (LOUD) and a good crowd at the place, but Saturday there were hardly any peopel there for another band.

The club has asked me to do 1st & 3rd Wednesdays in August. At least they realize the necessity of having a steady schedule. Sign-ups have not been great the last few weeks - 6 or 7 people each time, but hot summer midweek nights are never good.
Meantime, i'm putting some of the money earned aside for new equipment - just ordered up some new mic stands with a carry case for them. $60 for 3 stands and case at American Musical. I know some people swear by the high-priced stands ($80+ each) saying they are better quality, but quite frankly will they last 4-6 times as long as the cheap ones? Probably not.
Next up will be a couple of 12" powered PA speakers (looking at the new Altos).

They asked me to host next week, as well, so by the 19th, I'll have done every Wednesday night since June. I'll be glad to take Aug 26 off, I know a band is playing that night.
Had 7 sign-ups last nigth, decent crowd early. The bartender has bought out the previous owner, so hoping for more promotion and advertising.