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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Anyone seen this site before? I just found it last night.
And that's where it started...
Some of you know I've been toying with the idea of playing out. THough I used to play in bands in my youth (electric heavy sorts of stuff), I've only been really playing acoustically for the past 3-4 years, and have only started to sing and play for the past year or so.
I noticed a place not too far from me that was touted as the best open mic night on the east side, and it just happened to be starting at 8pm.
The name of the bar? Daman's
How fitting.
I went to scope out the place, and it was really kind of a big production. Full bands were playing and advertising their upcoming gigs, and was really not amateurish at all. There were a few folks in between just having fun, but most folks were pretty damn good. I've noticed most places do 15 minute slots, but these guys were doing 30 minutes plus.
I was intimidated a bit.
There must have been a stamp on my forehead cuz the folks running it showed up at my little dark corner of the bar, and asked if I wanted to come up and play. I politely said thank you, but I haven't done this before, and I was just there to see what the atmosphere was like, maybe next week. Besides, I didn't even have a guitar with me.
After waiting forever for a solo act to come up, I gave up, paid my tab, and left. About halfway home I started to get disgusted with myself, so when I got home, I grabbed the Custom Elite 12 string contour, told my son "I'm gonna do it", and went back to the bar.
They saw me come back in with the case, and the folks running the show gave me a knowing smile and a nod. I went back to my dark corner and one came up and asked if I wanted to come up just to do one song, I nodded a timid "sure, just one though".
I've never really sang into a PA (other than yells and screams background in the heavy metal days), so it was very odd at first. The monitor wasn't really doing so well. I could kinda hear I was singing in tune to the best of my abilities, but couldn't tell if I was too loud or soft or whatever. Finally I just gave in and started to get into it letting whoever was on the board make adjustments.
I did my own spiced up version of a Dave Matthews tune, Typical Situation, it seemed to go over well. THen they asked me to play another, and a drummer came up, and so did a bass player. They asked me to do another, so I did. Next came a gal and she started doing some backup vocals on a Neil Young tune. Next thing I know we were about 6 songs in when the fiddle player join in.
I guess I did OK. They kept me up there singing and playing for the remainder of the night, about 2 and a half hours worth. I did all I knew and faked some I didn't. Probably 20 songs or so, and an encore request for Needle and the Damage one more time.
I think I'll do this again. Maybe I'll be a bit more prepared for next week. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | How cool was that!!!
You did good.
But be warned.... it's kind of addicting. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | congrats
I knew you would be fine.
Sue and I did an open mic last night.
we did
season of the witch
(someone has to represent the wiccans)
and the tune I did on the second ofc gig
Pretty as a picture.
it is kinda cool for sue and I to get back to playing again. although the crowd at this place is sorta the folky warbler type |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Cool story.
Take the videocam with you next time and then put it up on the social site! |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | So did the guy with the fancy shoes come up and ask if you were interested in coming down to the studio and making a demo track on his dime? Even more importantly, did you get a date out of it? |
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February 2003
Posts: 398
Location: Gig Harbor, Washington | Waay Cool & GaRoovie, D'Man!!
I got a chance to play out with my oldest son last summer for the 1st time, before I drove him cross country to go to college...a Folklore and a FD14 on stage with two voices that are genetically balanced - yeah...pretty addicting!
Bravo! Encore! Thanks for sharing such a cool experience...
All the best~ Kurt |
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July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | Great story, Damon. Congrats. Thanks for openmikesdotorg . I found listings of more local open mikes by using that than I ever knew existed before. |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Congrats Damon, great story. I wish I could have been there to cheer you on!! |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | You da man, Damon! 2 1/2 hours would be me doing my whole play list 5 times.
The site says they have a couple in bars really close to the office. I haven't been in either bar, but I might have to stop by and check them out. |
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July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | Richard, we may have to play one together while you're in the states. Thnkaboutit. |
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October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | i've said it before; "rock on, damon!" |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Thanks all.
Brad (slipkid), I can see I'll have a new obsession. I guess it's time to put these guitars to work.
Brad (Professor), I've been seein' this gal recently, actually our first date was the night I got back from the NW Gathering. She's been pretty supportive, and has been pushing me to go do this. She even recently gave me a "Song Writing for Dummies" book and a song writer's rhyming dictionary as a present a few weeks ago because she knows my issues with writing lyrics.
I'll keep the date I have for now. She may be a keeper. Too bad she wasn't there last night. She was bummed about it but very happy I finally did it.
As for the guy in white shoes with the white belt to match, well, there's always next week. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Damon, well done! |
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February 2008
Posts: 247
Location: Delaware | You knew you had it in you, you knew you wanted to, that's why you went back with your git. I'll bet that felt great when the evening was over. Glad to hear ya went back and had a good time. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Great story. Stay with it.
I've tried to do open mic nights, but every time I get to the gig, the doors are locked. I don't understand it..... |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Paul, I'll explain it next time I see you... |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Very Cool! So, you were fine once you loosened up?
One of these days I must try that. Right now I get tense when someone's watching.
Especially when they sit there staring, anticipating, wondering when the "magic" is gonna happen.
["No, no, Arthur... You sound good, keep playing"]
I am Happy that your excursion into the Limelight worked so well.
Do it some more! :cool: |
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March 2007
Posts: 843
Location: CA | As long as we're talking cosmic, Matt Damon should play you in the movie. |
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October 2005
Posts: 5331
Location: Cicero, NY | Nice work, Damon. Congrats on having the cahones to go back. And I'll bet your son was really excited for you too.
I've been kind of waiting for the stars to align to pull that string myself but I'm always out in the parking lot (with Moody apparently). I did, however, wander into an Irish pub in Philly last year where some guys were playing some Irish trad. The guy I went in with couldn't keep quiet after his second Guiness and walked up and told the guys that I played and I was DYING to sit in (as much enjoyment as I was getting out of it, I was notlooking to sit in - I know NOT ONE Irish tune.) Long story short, the git player had two guitars and threw one in my hand. Three hours and MANY Guinesses later, I dragged my arse outta there but it was with a huge smile on my face. The open mike isn't far off...congrats again. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Damon,
What an awesome story! You've just described one of my favorite daydreams.
Here's hoping that you continue to 'blossom' as a performer. Those few moments in the 'zone' can be addicting, in a very positive way!
We're proud of ya. Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Great story Damon. Well done.
That story is in total contrast to my open mic experience. YOU obviously have SOME talent, which probably explains why MY open mic night scarred me for life. |
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August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Damon - that's awesome! I'd probably drop dead from fear before I got close to the stage.
Very cool! |
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June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Well Done Damon!!
Way Cool!!
AJ |
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February 2008
Posts: 747
| Like everyone else said - good stuff.
If you can get 2.5 hours out of it and people keep on coming up to add in then you're obviously a player. |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | I envy people that can do that. I would never have the pills to get up in front of people and sing. Of course, if I did sing, there wouldn't be people there anymore.
Great story Damon! Do it again and vid it. |
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openmikes.org - I finally did it.
