Monday night at The Muckey Duck!

I've never been a regular at open mics, I prefer the interaction with other musicians onstage at a jam. But that doesn't cloud my critical thinking.

The importance of the open mic lies in several areas.

Firstly, there is the sense of community, something that exists at the jams, too.

To young up-and-comers (or old up-and-comers), the open mic provides a venue at which to hone your skills. Playing guitar, or singing, or telling a good joke involve talent - as well as skills one must practice. A gifted few have such natural talent that they can play, sing and perform without a lot of work and forethought. The rest of us need a lot of practice.

Playing for others is a talent/skill on it's own (as distinct as playing an instrument itself). It takes certain amounts of ego and nerve to get up in front of people, especially if you know that you are not too good - yet! But one must learn how to work with an audience, and which songs work best for you. How to leave room in your performance for the audience to show their appreciation, or handle being heckled without freaking out...

Open mics are the perfect place to practice

'Mature artists' and musicians, whose life is busy with other priorities, can always decide to hit the open mic at the last minute after a late day at work, or if the kids settle down early, to find a place to play, express themselves and share their music.

McGonigal's Muckey Duck is the premiere open mic venue in Houston. For folk and americana music, The Duck is recognized as such throughout the country. When I'm out of town, and identify my hometown as H-Town, The Muckey Duck is usually the first thing I am asked about when I tour solo and play those types of venues, or when I meet other musicians in Nashville. Almost every time, whether they are amateurs or stars. Liberty Hall was like that in the '70s.

I showed up early to sign the list (at a venue where the slots are usually filled withing the first 10 minutes), and got a small piece of prime-time. Spent a little time catching up with host (and guitarist extraordinare) Wayne Wilkerson, who I've known for decades. We talked about music, musicians, the open mic, but mostly about Roger.

When the music started, it was all good. Maybe people are scared to come by this open mics until they are ready. When my turn came, Wayne joined me on guitar. He sounded great. The kids here really liked the new MYSPACE PAGE song.

Next stop was Bohemeo's for an open mic on Wednesday (now moved to Sundays). A kid named Mike Blas blew me away with his style and energy, and a set by Olivia & Brian (from Super Happy Fun Land) was a delight. Good response to my little set, too, but the most fun was had when owner Lupe Olivares, his lovely wife Sidonie, and I sang harmonies on old Beatle songs with Pablo Devara, who was learning them out of the book - right there on Bohemeo's stage.

Next came a late night set at The Big Easy on Kirby, where I tried out some of the songs from our next blues CD, which we are mixing now. It felt like home.

At The Spring Tavern, I hit for the cycle - playing drums for the Mark May band, then playing guitar on some of my songs, and finally playing 'Fretless Dan' Cooper's five-string bass and giving him a little break. I'm not used to a five string, so the guys had to put up with an occasional suspended fifth which nobody intended! Mark and the boys put out bigtime - even at a jam. The jammers included Matt Leddy and one cat who plays for the symphony - obviously slumming with the blues cats and digging it!

The Monday open mic at The Full Throttle Coffee Shop was gone, as was the coffee shop, so I headed down to The Last Concert Cafe to join Mikey and David for some music making. SOme of the regular irregulars there included Grant on keys, David Hutsel singing and playing guitarwhen he's not offshore, and fire forensics inspector Joe Ellington doing his thing. David O'Dea bought a couple of the DVDs for his folks, too!

That's all the time I have now, but I'll write more about the Imaginary Tour of JAMS & OPEN MICS soon! I'll finish up this leg on the next two Sundays. This Sunday I'll be at Adam Burchfield's jam at Cruizer's Icehouse in Sante Fe around 4 or 5pm, then up to The Neon Moon to play with Chris Elliott and the Bodacious Ta Ta's after 7pm.

Sorry about the correct page being hidden on the website for the JAMS & OPEN MICS. It's fixed now! jams.guyschwartz.com

See you where the live music is!