Music-wise things have been fairly busy. I continue to go to open mics to try different things and because it gives me someplace to go. I’ve also been trying to transition from my “Open-mic Therapy” tour to a “Break-even tour.”  So, I have reworked my publicity materials, taking photos of myself and emailing venues.

My big night

On June 5th, I had the opportunity to play in Beacon NY. I was one of 17 performers selected to play at the Towne Crier Café Open-Mic Finals. This is an event put on twice a year on the Towne Crier’s big stage, one of the best acoustic music venues in the area. There would be judges and prizes. All of the performers had performed at the regular open mics in the café section of the restaurants. I had made my first trip out there on December 23. It would have been our 38th wedding anniversary and I wanted to go someplace and sing about it. That was a dark and stormy night. Sunday was even worse. Thunderstorms. Wind. And a wet basset hound.

When I arrived in Beacon, the rain seemed to be over. Marty and I went for a long walk around the block a few times. I wanted to keep the car (with the guitar and camera) within sight. Not that I’m not paranoid enough. I put Marty back in the car and cracked the windows a few inches for him. Inside I was one of the first performers to arrive and settle in. I tuned up the guitar and tried to make sure I had everything I needed. I found a seat on the far side of the audience area. I asked Phil, the owner if there was any problem with video taping. After I set up everything, I went back and asked him if I would be blocking anyone with my setup. He shook his head, no. He told me to, “…not worry so much.” The camera was all set up perfect. But I messed up anyway. I probably hit the start button an extra time. That turned it off instead of on. So, I had a one-second video of a blank stage.

Number Six. All of the 17 performers had to pick a number out of a hat to determine our playing order. I was to perform sixth.The only person I actually knew was Don Lowe, the host of the event and the open mics. I tried to introduce myself to some of the people performing. I was able to look some of them up online the week before the contest to get an idea of what they sounded like. Some had websites or Facebook pages. There was quite a variety of ages and types of entertainment. There was a stand-up comedian, a poet, and a small band. The rest of us were singer-songwriters. A few of the performers seemed to know one another or were friends. They were probably regular open mic-ers or knew one another from the local music scene. I wasn’t the only old guy. There were three or four of us that were baby-boomers. I could see some “nerves” in many faces and although I didn’t feel nervous I am positive I looked it. Fortunately, anxiety is part of my schtick.

Performing. There were many wonderful performances and wonderful songs. I was glad my slot was early in the evening so I could sit and enjoy the rest of the night. My first song was Marriage of Convenience. I explained that both of my songs would be about marriages that actually work out. I’m still figuring out what to say before my songs, especially about Kathy.

I didn’t want to set up a funny song
by depressing the crap out of everyone.

Once I arrived at the first chorus the audience realized it was a funny story. I tried to get them to sing along. But I knew they were enjoying themselves.

My second song was Love on the Line. I decided to perform that one for the host, Don Lowe because he has played it on “Local Heroes,” his radio show on WPWL.fm in Pawling NY. I explained that before we got married Kathy was finishing college in Florida and I was up north. She would call me once a week from the only phone booth in Micanopy FL. Then came one of those awkward pauses on stage where you see the performer (me) fishing through his pockets trying to find something: a pick, finger picks, the right harmonica etc. I heard Don yell, “Do you need a pick?” I said, “No, my capo. I guess I’ll try it without it.” But one of the other performers, Ian Flanigan was sitting right in front of me and handed me his. It turned out I did have it but it was buried in my jacket pocket. Somehow the rest of the song went very well and the audience really seemed to enjoy it.

After my two songs, I put my guitar back and went to enjoy the rest of the show. Later, my friend songwriter Pete Nelson arrived. He had visited his son in the area and was on his way back home to Massachusetts. He caught the last half of the show. It was good having company and his play-by-play commentary in between the performers. There were performers I liked that he thought were so-so. He knew some of them from living in the area in a previous life. He introduced me to a few of his friends, and a lot of people told me how much they enjoyed it. I wished Kathy could have been there.

Prizes. After the last performer, Don got on stage and announced that everyone who performed could potentially get some sort of gig or opening slot there in the future. We were all winners. Once the judges were finished he announced that I was the runner-up and Ian Flanigan, the guy that had loaned me his capo, won first prize. Ian is a wonderful guitarist and had a wonderful low voice. As awkward as it was to not find my own capo, it would have been uncomfortable if I had come in first with his capo. Karma prevailed.

As my prize, I should be getting tickets to the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, one of my favorite folk festivals. Kathy and I volunteered there a few years and had some wonderful experiences there. Hopefully, I will be getting some opening gigs in the future. Pete Nelson introduced me to Phil. He explained that he and I were some of the first performers on Signature Sounds Records. I gave him a copy of my CD and a demo CD I had burned with some the newish songs like Marriage of Convenience.

Marty was very wet. Since I left the car windows cracked during several downpours the car smelled of damp hound. I thought about buying some Febreze to spray. Lucky for Marty all the stores were closed. The next day I took everything out and let it dry out. I vacuumed the car out too. It took me an extra day to recover from all the driving, though.