Feb 13, 2007 Tuesday - I am driving the kids to a class in West Acton. On the way we pass the Continental Cafe and I see a sign for an open mike that night. I have been feeling that I want to try that. Later, I mention it to the wife, and we decide to head over to see what it looks like.

When I come in the door, the first person I meet is Ellen Schmidt. Ellen greets me warmly and asks if I play an instrument. I tell her that I do but that I did not bring it as I was not planning to play that night. In spite of being busy with running the Open Mike, Ellen finds that time to talk to me about the scene. It turns out she also runs the Open Mike at the Emerson Umbrella in Concord, MA. She even offers to let me use her keyboard. I decide to accept her kind offer and atten the next Open Mike there.

Feb 19, 2007 Monday - I head over to find the Emerson Umbrella. It turns out that it is held at ??. This is a large building, and is a bit of a maze. Fortunately they have placed red markers on the floor for people to follow all the way the he Open Mike.

Ellen greets me when in the door. The room holds about 30 chairs facing the stage. Most are already occupied. I listen to several performers before it is my turn. The stage hand helps get Ellen's keyboard set up. I am given a boom mike and I am ready to go. I have decided to play "Ever Always". I begin and the first verse feels a little rough. I am not used to Ellen's keyboard, but by the second verse I am into the song. The audience grows quiet and attentive. The song goes well. The audience seems to like it a lot. I am grateful for having such a welcoming audience.

Feb 21, 2007 Wednesday - I grow bolder. There is an Open Mike at the Sit'n Bull in Maynard, MA. I bring my "grab and go" keyboard and head out. I plan to just check out the scene. The Sit 'n Bull is an old bar with a long history of hosting some pretty good Blues players. As a venue, it is a bit rough. There is a pool table, and a bar that serves home made taco chips and salsa. Pretty tasty.

The Open Mike is run by Seth Connelly. He turns out to be very friendly and a gracious host. My wife keeps cajoling me to put in my name. Eventually I give in. It is later in the evening and the next available slot is #13. Seth and I joke about this. He offers to cross out thirteen and give me fourteen. I refuse. I am not superstitious. (Maybe I should be.)

It is getting late by the time I get on. I have brought along my Yamaha 505. I bought this thing years ago, lured by its self contained speakers, very good sound, and ability to run on batteries. Normally I am not into "consumer keyboards" but the 505 has been a fun board to have around. I have played it a many a campfire with friends.

On stage at last, Seth helps me set up. In a minute I am ready to go. Launching into "Stomp" I quickly realize that although I am not quite going to crash and burn, I am definately getting very close to the ground. The 505s keyboard has one fatal flaw. The keys are slightly smaller than standard.
(Even though it was advertized as having "full sized keys".) It is fine for thumping out chords around the campfire, or for slower songs, but now I am trying to fly through "Stomp" with its more intricate left hand boogy pattern and syncopated right hand and it is not good. I am loosing the groove and am playing far too many "grace notes".

Still I soldier on. When I finish, the handful of people remaining applaud politely. I next play "Ever Always". This goes much better. I resolve to get a full weighted 88 key keyboard before the next Open Mike.

February 26, 2007 - I am in the Nashua Guitar Center checking out their 88s. I am torn between a couple of different models. I need something that will set up very quickly. There are two Casio boards and a couple of Yamaha boards that might fit the bill. The Yamaha boards have a better feel and sound, but the low end model is devoid of and extras such as ability to split and layer. The Casio has decent feel and sound but is not quite as good as the Yamaha. In addition the Yamaha for some reason, only provides 1/6 inch output jasks.

Eventually I end up with the Casio Privia 310. It is slim, and at 27 pounds I feel I can sling it onto a stage and set up quickly.

February 27, 2007 Tuesday - Continental Cafe. I am very late. Although i have brought my new board, i do not expect to play. An appointment has prevented me from arriving on time. Ellen greets me and I tell her this. She asks how long it will take me to set up. I say "about 30 seconds". It rurns out that one of the performers isn't feeling well and a one song slot has opened up. I scramble to my car and grap my new board. Soon I am set up and ready to go. I have decided to play "Two Bounce Boogy". The new board feels good and I feel good playing it. Several people are tapping their feet and smiling. It is a good night, even if a bit rushed.

February 28, 2007 Wednesday - I am back at the Sit 'n Bull to recover my honor. I have the #4 slot, one performer before the feature. The crowd numbers about 25 people. Ellen is there with friends and offers to let me and the wife share her table. We accept and have a fun evening chatting and listening to the various acts. I reprise "Stomp" and do "Two Bounce" both songs go well. Later at the table, Ellen asks me if I would like to do a filler slot a Main Streets in Concord. The filler slot, she esplains, is a 1/2 hour slot that is done while the featured act takes their break. I am happy to accept.

At the end of the night I end up talking to Al, Marc and Perry - talented performers all. Al has some excellent guitar skills, Marc writes some great lyrics, and Perry has a world class voice.

March 1, 2007 Thursday - I have decided to try the Open Mike at Amazing Things in Framingham. When I walk in the door I notice a gorgeous Yamaha grand piano. There is auditorium style seating for about 30. The host is Dan ??. He turns out to be as gracious a host as Ellen, and Seth. Dan starts the evening with a couple of his songs. He plays and sings well.

Eventually, it is my turn. I sit down at the piano and find myself wondering "When was the last time I played a real piano?" I have decided to start with "Bare Hill Boogy". It with a great decending run. I am not even halfway through the run when I am blown away be this piano. The action is liht and incredibly smooth. I feel like I have been riding a moped for years and have just strapped on a 1000cc Harley. I am having so much fun I forget about the audience and just enjoy the ride.

For my second song I decide to do "Open My Eyes". This time I am back trying to connect with the audience. The song seems to work well. It feels good, the audience listens attentively. The song goes well. I will be back!

March 5,2007 Tuesday - Continental Cafe - I get a little mixed up and show up 30 minutes late. As I walk in Ellen is at the mike and greets me. Several others join in. The Continental is starting to feel like a family living room to me. Ellen has me set up the Privia. I tell her to let people know that they are welcome to use it.

Ellen has decided to do a one song rotation. I am feeling a little under the weather. So I decide to do a couple of instrumentals to avoid singing. For my first song I do "Spooky Shoe Boogy." It goes well, people are tapping and I get a good applause.

Perry does a song at the keyboard and really likes it. Ben Blum asks me to accompany him on "Stand By Me". It feels good to help out.

When my second slot comes up I do "Let Me Hear Your Voice". I have been practicing on the Privia a lot and I feels very comfortable now. The song goes very well.