I'm not a professional musician but I'd like to think that if I were that I wouldn't get my panties in a wad if a venue had one night a week of open mic so amateurs could get some experience playing for people.

Are you opposed to busking too? I've never done it but once I had a lengthy layover on a flight and I was packing my guitar as a carry on, (pre 9/11), so I took out my guitar and started playing a few songs. Next thing I knew people were walking by and tossing money in my guitar case.

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