Originally Posted By: JohnJohnJohn

I have been to and played several open mics and my impression is they are there to give newbies a chance to get on stage and get some practice. Usually they are on an off night so the only crowd is the other players waiting their turn to play! Most of these same bars have paid acts on the busier nights. Seems like a win-win to me. No one is coming to the bar on an off night so the bar opens the stage to anyone who wants to get up there. The bar sells a few drinks on an off night and the noobs get some stage time.


Ditto to that. Burbanks in Cincinnati used to have open mic blues on Wed night with a little twist. The band was paid to play, but anyone who wanted to could become the "leader of the band" for a couple of songs.

All of the hot young blues players in town would show up with their axes and jam out with a full blown band.

Beer, blues and BBQ. What more could you want? The place was always packed on Wed.

Bob
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http://soundcloud.com/bobcflatpicke/music-in-the-mountains