Open Mic Excitement and Danger!

Open Mic Excitement and Danger!

Easter Open Mic was very interesting.  Only a few dropped by to listen, but around three, an arm fell of a Saguaro and just missed a patron.  Jeff the manager and I went outside to take a look.

Thirty minutes after Jeff posed for this picture, the table to his left was smashed by another arm falling!

Good thing Jeff was out of the way.  The table and the spot where Jeff was standing was buried under the massive Saguaro, it would have crushed him!

Horny Toad Open Mic!

Another great open mic Sunday at the Horny Toad, in Cave Creek.  We want to thank Greg, it's been far too long since we've heard his amazing voice,  Glade's daughter Alissa, nine year sold who sang for her first time in front of an audience and a whole host of other talent and the great crowd for supporting music in Cave Creek and Arizona.  Don't forget that Pandy and Mike will have their Wednesday night open mic as usual which is a real fun way to spend an evening and Hatman Dan will be playing Friday and Saturday night all at Cave Creek's own Horny Toad Restaurant… See you soon!

Open Mic!

We had a full room and a great list of Singer Songwriters this Sunday at The HornyTaod in Cave Creek!

I’ve been doing Open Mic for the past 16 years, more or less.  To those of you that picture amateur night, well there can be some of that, but… what a good open mic offers is a chance for aspiring singer/ songwriters, to work on their act.  Over the years, time and again, I’ve witnessed a transformation of regular folks into artist.  This takes work and heart.  There’s nothing like the first time a new singer (young or old) connects with their audience. 

The guy that taught me how to properly run an Open Mic, David Grossman, said when you’re a musician there’s not a lot of refuge out there.  You can find refuge in religion, relationships, drugs, the mental institution… but the Open Mic is a true refuge for musicians.  They are among their own kind and find a place that they can get real answers about working a room.

As with all Open Mics a group of player develops that drives a direction.  This in turn causes players to take some risks, maybe play a tune that they love but is not in their genre. 

As the players grow so the entire group grows.  And the audience is the real benefactor!  A few years ago I had another room that I had worked to develop.   I saw about 40 people sit quietly and listen to a 15 minute Bass solo by local talent, Omar.  He absolutely had them mesmerized.  When he stopped playing there was that crystal moment where you could hear a pin drop before the room exploded in applause.  Moments like that, are usually the purview of big cities… or great bars in the Texas panhandle!

There’s great music,humor, fun, talent, good food and cold drinks, (special thanks to Tim Brady for the whisky).  It’s a great way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. 

So weather you’re a player or just love good music, come on out to the Horny Toad in Cave Creek next Sunday and do a little toe tapping while you relax and have a cold one!

Open mic at the Horny Toad in Cave Creek

The fun starts at 1:00 and we keep going till 5:00.  It's a great afternoon of local talent, good food, cold drinks and toe tapping!  Cone on out!

Open Mic at the Horny Toad... Great Day of Music!

Open Mic at the Horny Toad every Sunday 1-5.  This week we had a fantastic group of players.  Come on out and join the funQ

East Coast Al Catarino was great as usual!

Paul Meyer held down the bottom end on Bass.

Rick Strole with his smooth voice.

Hatman and the Band!

New comer Mike G., a strong vocal style

Bruce… one handsome cowboy… oh and very talented too.

Dan with his Dad, Harry.

Jim Gath laid a few down for us as usual.

Tim Brady rocked as usual. 

Mike Cullums on Drums and Pretzels!

New Open Mic at the Horny Toad in Beautiful Cave Creek, Az

Hatman Dan and I enjoying the Music

New Open Mic at the Horny Toad in Beautiful Cave Creek, Az

Well we kicked off the new Open Mic today at the Horny Toad.  Hatman Dan has a steady gig Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday in the day from 1-5.  He generously offered me a hosting gig to help run an open mic.  Dan is one of true professionals playing here in Cave Creek, he is a well defined country player with his own sound!

Local Singer Guitarist Rick Strole was great as usual
I want to thank all the people that came out and got this started on a strong foot.  I took several pictures but only a few turned out here are some highlights. Special thanks to Tim Brady, Glade and Steve Norris for their help.

Steve Purcell showed up and played Drums!

East Coast Al Catarino blew the room away on my DeArmond Arch Top

This how Steve felt at one point… in a good way!

Open Mic We Ride Again!

I’m happy to say that the kind folks at The Cave Creek Coffee co have decided to make the investment, to provide a fantastic venue for Open Mic on Thursday nights. We had a few foul ups; no heaters, no announcements, no posters, and the PA crapped out about half way through Rick Strole’s set. Having said that it was a magical night. We had a few new voices and several of the very talented people that have made this, one of the best Open Mics in this part of the country. It was so nice to hear Rick and Al just working through a few Beatles tunes while waiting for their time slot. Barbara jumped in on a few harmonies and it was just plain beautiful.

Raul O’Donnell did Creep by Radio Head without a PA and the room was mesmerized. It’s so enriching to see people like Raul that have grown into performers, right in front of our eyes. But that’s what this is all about. I wish Dave Grossman, the guy that taught me how to run an Open Mic could see the changes that people like Raul, Kevin, Steve and Ernie have gone through, The world is a larger place for them and it can be a larger place for you too! Just show up, sign up and Cowboy up!

If you used to drop by and join us on Thursday nights please tell your friends and family that we are back.

Warmly

Mad Coyote Joe

Open Mic with Mad Coyote Joe

Friends
I am glad to announce that we will be doing our open mic for guitar players, singers and songwriters at The Cave Creek Coffee Co 6033 E Cave Creek rd. Cave Creek Az.
We will be having the first night Thursday November 3 at 7pm
Please forward this to your musical friends and those that support acoustic music here in Cave Creek. Bring your guitar and a friend it will be a great night we will be out back on the stage. C4 will offer some wine and beer specials at great prices. Mike Assad and Kevin Brennen will lending a musical helping hand as usual.
Hope to see you there.

Mad Coyote Joe AKA Tubby Whiteman

Open Mic a Poem by Daigneault

Open Mic

By Daigneault

Every Tuesday night they show

Like Vikings gathering for a battle

A battle void of spoils

Except the next chance to fight

Pulling at their guitars

The music is a longboat

Moving

through frozen waters

Straining on the oar

A pick keeps time

The left hand

Clearing the shallows

The voice calls out

Their ancient tune

As the villagers

sit watching

Knowing these Vikings

Are a breed apart

With their own view

Of heaven!

Open Mic night at Codys

If your free on Tuesday nights come on out to CODYS in Cave Creek. Were doing an Open Mic for Acoustic Guitar from 7-10 good food, drinks and a lot of great players. Hope to see you there!