I had a pretty good look around the internet at the cities I have played in. Only some of the places still exist.

The Big Easy and Dan Electros Guitar Bar in Houston. These two are blues only and if you can really play the blues they are great and have been around for many years.

The Baked Potato in Studio City (LA) is world famous and a not to be missed place if you are ever there. There are three or four other places I have been to there that still exist. BB Kings place...

Dallas Texas has a large number of places and three of four have been around a long time. House Of Blues, Downtown Cowtown at The Isis

Chicago, Kingston Mines, Buddy Guy's Legends, just to name a few I have played at.

Tucson, Chicago Bar, and some new places with people I have played with in the past.

Memphis, Trippy

There are some places in the middle of nowhere that still exist. Places to play "Red Dirt" music in North Texas

I have played at a jam in New York City but I don't remember where. I do remember it was filled with first-class musicians who were not very tolerant of people who did not play well.

So...jam sessions/blues jams/open mics are open for business and provide most likely easy access to playing live in any city and many small towns. The pandemic has closed many venues but new ones look like they are opening.

The good ones have paid house bands that have the skill to deal with running a jam. It is advisable to take a good look at what is going on before putting your name on the signup sheet because some are so poorly run you will not have fun. It is also fun to go to these places with other people you have played with before or know how well they play. Much better chance of things sounding good.

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…”