Tuesday, March 11, 2014 Been a while since I updated the continuing saga of my jam and open mic outings. Let’s see, a week ago (03/04) I ventured out to the open mic at the Grand Café. Much to my surprise, I was one of a very few to show up that evening – I even had the opportunity to go on first! I choose not to be first and deferred to others. Later, I got up and did a few songs including my version of “Frogg Went a Courtin’”, “Home on the Blues”, Shoo Fly Pie”, and another song that I can’t recall. Thursday (03/06) I dropped in at Cadigan’s Corner Bar for the jam, but found it standing room only crowded and VERY loud. I wasn’t in the mood to stand around all night risking my ears, so I went home without participating. Sunday (03/09) went MUCH better! Went to a new-to-me jam (2 to 5 PM) at the Meadows Lounge, 5823 SE Johnson Creek Blvd. Got there just before the host band started things off with a short set. After the 1st break, they got me up and since they didn’t know me, they assumed that I sang – which I did. I started with “From a Jack to a King” (1st time I’d tried it in public!), and followed up with “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose”, and finished with “Don’t be Angry With Me”. As one might suspect, given my extensive background playing in various bands, I found singing with a band behind me more enjoyable, and more comfortable, than doing the solo thing at an open mic. The instrumental breaks were done quite nicely by both a guitar and a trombone.. I stuck around until about 4:30, then went home for supper with wife Judy. After supper, I decided to venture out again and checked out another new-to-me open mic – this one at the Sellwood Public House, 8132 SE 13th Ave. I got there at about the advertised starting time of 8:00 PM and found out that the Host was late. Hey, they bought me a very nice Raspberry Wheat beer so I didn’t complain. ‘Twas near 9 PM when the host – Michael – got there (can’t have too many Mikes, right!). Other than Michael, I was “it” until much later. Michael did several songs, then turned the mic over to me. I started my set with the traditional “The Lilac Bush”. For my second song, I did “(Gonna Sit Right Down and) Write Myself a Letter” (1st time I’ve done this one in public!). I then sang an old Kingston Trio song from 1960 - “Bad Man Blunder” (also 1st time in public!). I finished my set with “The Lady in Red (AKA – Let Nellie Sleep Under the Bar). Michael said that I went over very well with the folks eating and drinking. The Sellwood Public House was quite interesting. They have a nice menu and a better than average selection of beers and other spirits. Seems like it would be a nice place to drop into from a pleasant evening out. I plan to return for another open mic. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that a young man came in while I was doing my thing with two long tubular “things”. Turned out they were the Australian didgeridoo and gave a performance. My comment is that it was “interesting”! That’s all for now. Stay tuned for Mike’s further musical adventures. Mike Oxborrow
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 05:02:16 +0000
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