This month's open mic has been continually crazy.
Last time there was a great mix of performers and I didn't play but everyone got a spot. Last night was totally crazy. Most open mic's are struggling to keep performers, but we have been fortunate to keep them coming. We run 8 spots, and last night had 12 + performers show up for those 8 spots. Standing room only for 2+ hours. Got a little ego boost as one of the performers asked me to sit in with her on some stuff (two I had never heard before). Stuff like that keeps me on my toes.
Still people there after closing time.
Before you say something, they treat me better than I ask and I am overcompensated for what I feel I am worth. I cheapened out the equipment and leave my nice equipment for me and have cheap but reasonable stuff for the open mic.
Sound great Ken!
Seems like hosting jams and open mics are 90% of the gigs around here anymore. The only game in town for weeknight, regular gigs. And at most of them, way more musicians than 'audience'. (big exception: the Saturday Knuckleheads jam. Probably 10-15 audience people for every jammer ratio. This Saturday, they are celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the jam, with free lunch and drinks for us regulars.) There are at least 3-4 competing jams every weeknight, except for Monday. And week after week, the hosts are flooding FB with promotion. Posting thank yous on the day after, etc. I like having jams to go to, but I have no desire to host. There is always some jammer bitching about getting skipped over, accusing the host of playing favorites, or having to play with a clueless person. Hosting can be thankless job, so I try to be a good guest. If I have to get up with that guy who only plays Long Train Running(badly), or Damn Right I've Got The Blues (also badly), I take it in stride. Sometimes you've got to take one for the team. (And sometimes you learn, by teaching.) I know the hosts at the jams I go to will take care of me, and pay me back with a good lineup.
The hosting gigs tend to pay less than regular gigs. I'm not lugging my PA gear out and back in, to make $50. And always the possibility that someone will damage your gear. My bass player keeps wanting to snag a jam host gig. I tell him to have a blast, and count me out.
The world we live in. At least around here. In the bigger picture, I'm not sure about the future of live music bar gigs. It has gone so far downhill since the 70s. People staying home because of smoking laws, zealous DUI enforcement, etc. And the encroachment of krappy-o-ke and DJs (who will work for a fraction of what a band should be paid.) Not a pretty picture.