ilyĀIMY

The Music City Open Mic.

A selfie of two excited individuals in a lively bar setting with colorful lights and decorations in the background.
Okay, we’ll put this up right on top for Aether. And don’t worry, I’ll mention the weather.

We do this every Sunday night at Morsbergers Tavern at 713 Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD, 21228. Signup around 6.30pm, music at 7pm. 2 songs or 10 minutes, whichever’s shorter. I’ve given up telling people about the food, though it’s good when it’s there.

A handwritten list of performers for an open mic event titled 'Morsbergers Open Mic' with various names, numbers, and notes indicating performance order and details.

Tonight we had a confused-ass list. I think I MAY be finally growing away from the sanctity of numbers as I feel like I deserve a more-curated experience for my earballs. I grow tired of seeking the porchlings, I grow weary of checking the bar. I actually started off the night with some scolding as a couple of my usual suspects were just talking over me.

I try to stick to the idea of “respect the mic, if not me” and I ignore that kind of current until we get to the first performer and I can actually bug people from the floor. I really think calling people out from onstage is pretty petty, shitty, whiny, Bland and unprofessional. But up front and centre tonight was a guy who was like “yeah, I run open mics for… uh… professionals? I’ve heard good things about yours though” and I was feeling threatened. Never when I’m at my best.

Two men smiling for a selfie in a lively bar with colorful lights and decorations in the background.
I’m glad to see Dougie coming out again.

I knew from the jump it was going to take some time for people to settle. It was one of the first hot days and so everyone had come inside to greet one another. All the porch madness was all up on the inside and that’s just what it was gonna be.

It worked out. It was a good night. Leedy had a problem with his Rat. That problem has been a longtime coming and we’ll probably have to have the “it’s not what fucks up, it’s how you deal with it” conversation. Unfortunately that tantrum coincided with a new artist wandering in. Wasn’t the best first impression, but I think she survived.

Sign at Morsbergers Tavern stating they are not responsible for injuries or accidents caused by extreme dancing. It emphasizes personal responsibility for oneself and others.
Not saying I’m looking at you Leedy, but I’m kinda lookin’ at you!

Don’t try to follow along on the list, friends. I mixed it up a little.

  1. rob
  2. Nathaniel
  3. Matt
  4. Jason Rusty Clark
  5. Salena Kyle and Mo (I got her early because I was a little embarrased over tonight’s gender imbalance)
  6. Cuppa T Jones
  7. Roger Ratliff
  8. Robert Johnson (not THAT Robert Johnson)
  9. Arisen Phoenix
  10. Miguel
  11. Matt O’Brian (because I didn’t feel like hunting down the next artist)
  12. Mo (because I forgot what Peter looked like)
  13. Dougie
  14. Liberty! (because I’d accidentally scratched off Braedon instead of Dougie)
  15. Peter (who I finally remembered)
  16. Braedan (who I remembered to UNscratch off)
  17. Leedy (who’d swapped with Liberty!)
  18. Watson
  19. Ben (who I thought was 18, but I mistakenly listed Mo twice)
  20. Terrain (holy crap, last seen at Teavolve in 2013!!!)
  21. Carrie
  22. rob and Braedan
A musician performing on stage with an acoustic guitar and harmonica, wearing a white shirt, in front of a colorful backdrop with lights.
Musician playing a bass guitar while singing into a microphone, wearing glasses and a black t-shirt, with colorful stage lighting in the background.
A musician playing an electric guitar on stage, focused on their performance. The backdrop features colorful lights and decorations.
A female musician playing an acoustic guitar on stage, focusing intently on her performance, while a standing male artist, holding a drink, observes her from the side.
A male musician singing into a microphone while playing an electric guitar on stage. Another male musician playing a bass guitar beside him, with colorful stage lights in the background.
A musician with long hair and a beard performs on stage, singing into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar, illuminated by colorful stage lights.
A male musician performing with an acoustic guitar on stage, with a microphone in front of him, under colorful stage lights. There are musical instruments and equipment visible in the background.
A smiling musician performing on stage, playing an acoustic guitar and wearing a flat cap and glasses, with colorful stage lights in the background.
A musician playing an acoustic guitar on stage, focused while singing into a microphone, with colorful stage lights in the background.
Two musicians performing on stage; one is playing an electric guitar and the other is singing while playing an acoustic guitar. The scene is lit with colorful stage lights.
A musician performing on stage, playing an acoustic guitar while singing into a microphone, bathed in colorful stage lighting.
A musician performing on stage, playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone, with colorful stage lighting in the background.
A woman with purple hair performing on stage, holding an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone, with colorful lights in the background.
A musician performing on stage with a guitar in a dimly lit venue, surrounded by colorful stage lights and musical equipment.
Two musicians performing on stage, one playing an electric guitar and the other playing an acoustic guitar, with colored stage lights in the background.
A musician playing an electric guitar on stage while another musician plays a keyboard in the foreground, with colorful lighting enhancing the atmosphere.
A musician performing on stage with an acoustic guitar, wearing a black shirt and a beanie. He appears focused and engaged in his performance, with colorful stage lights in the background.
A musician performing on stage, singing into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar. The background features colorful stage lights and a dark setting.
A musician passionately singing and playing an acoustic guitar on stage, with colorful lights in the background.
A female musician performing on stage while playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone. She has curly hair and is wearing a gray top.
Three young men playing acoustic guitars in an outdoor seating area at night, with colorful surfboards in the background.
A man with long gray hair and a beard stands next to a smiling young woman with purple hair and piercings. They are in front of a brick wall at night, with a blue umbrella visible in the background.
Three individuals playing guitars in an outdoor setting, seated near a colorful surfboard. One person is sitting casually while two others focus on their playing. The scene is illuminated with soft light, suggesting a relaxed atmosphere.
So far the neighbours haven’t had any issue with the backporch jams, and I’m not sure that we actually have any neighbours TO have any issue with it – but I’ll keep an eye on it. As I think back to “when I was YER AGE” going to open mics (well, I’d have been mid-20s), fairly busting with passion and hormones and rage and confusion, I don’t THINK the host or venue owner or whatever was an old patriarch twice the age of half the audience. Maybe Syl kinda counts? Trying to walk the line betwixt authority and friendliness, a lot of these kids are in a bit of a gray zone that I don’t quite know what to do with. They’re all finding their own paths and I doubt any of them would ever ask me what I think about anything. They’re HERE on a Sunday night rather than secreted away in a bedroom online or cutting themselves, and that’s a better place than many. Better to light a light than curse the darkness? There are nights when I want to set the whole thing on fire just so I can see the universe clearly as it passes me by. I am pretty sure I’m doing a little bit of good in the world, but then I read the news for a moment and I reverse course. Maybe I should be teaching these kids how to shoot.
robilyaimy

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