Well...perhaps you guys who don't like the "open mic" nights have never been to a good place.

I have played with Robin Ford, and Larry Carlton just to name a few really good guitar players at the Baked Potato in Studio City, Ca. It is a pretty famous place.
It is or use to be a place where musicians went to see their friends.

I have played at The Big Easy in Houston Texas with several world famous blues players. I have occasionally played in a dive biker bar in Tucson Az. because it was fun and other musician friends I know agreed to meet up there.
Most all really good open mic sort of venues have a house band.

Blues jams are a place to have fun playing without having to work. Not everyone has the time or desire to play professionally.
Not everything in life is about money. Ever post a original song here on the forum that you spent hours putting together? Did you get paid for that? Ever give one of you CDs away for free? If you think playing for free in an open mic is bad, go to LA where it is pay to play...lol

Back to vaccine...day two and my arm is a little sore and I did not sleep well last night. My wife is suffering greater arm pain with the Moderna vaccine than me with Pfizer...have no idea why.

Billy

“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”