I must admit, I adore the highly variable nature of open mics. Generally speaking, there’s always an element of “making the best of it” but the “best of it” can often turn out to be downright magical, even if it’s nothing like what you were expecting.
One of my favourite things at open mics… people meeting one another and then collaborating! 
Like Jimmy and Katherine! 
Lisa and Greg Marsh already knew one another. 
Steve Cutts has found us, so I better always have my TALL mic stand. 
John Peiffer.
Having Mark “Muleman” Massey as my feature tonight meant that I had a fair number of other blues artists descend upon us, which helped make up for the fact that Takoma Park, being Takoma Park, had mostly stayed home to watch the Democratic debates.
Adele McAllister 
JImmy Stewart. 
Skip. 
Ian. 
Roman Kostovski 
The OTHER Skip!
So some regulars were not in evidence, but I had a bunch of people who all knew the same songs and since we were running a little short, I joyfully went around and coerced them into playing one last song. You know… heavy arm twisting. Beatings. Et cetera.
No. That’s what it took to make them STOP again!
A big ass blues jam with John Peiffer on harp, Skip on resonator mandolin, Muleman and Ian. 
Mark “Muleman” Massey
From Mark’s presskit : Born in the Mississippi Delta, Mark learned the true meaning of the Blues down on Parchman Farm Penitentiary. He was taught by David Kimbrough, the son of Jr. Kimbrough, how to play the guitar inside Parchman, and soon after, Mark joined the Parchman Prison Band. After Mark left Parchman, he followed his love for the Blues towards bettering himself. Along the way, he met the Blues legend Big Jack Johnson. He became both a mentor and friend to Mark and even gave Mark the nickname “Muleman“.
Muleman! 
Muleman putting John Peiffer to work!
The El Golfo open mic is made possible through the generous support of Institute of Musical Traditions. Our featured artists are supported through the generous donations of our audience! Gallery here : http://www.ilyaimy.com/wordpress/?p=16910
Video here: https://youtu.be/1B4tQXz0J0U
The El Golfo open mic happens every Wednesday at El Golfo in Silver Spring, MD. Signup at .30pm, performances at 7.30pm. 2 songs / 10 minutes whichever’s shorter, with a family-friendly environment – and is hosted by rob Hinkal of the band ilyAIMY. Rob’s Open Mics were declared a National Open Mic by Shure Microphones, “Best of DC” from Dcmusicdownload.com and have received recognition from the Library of Congress.
Tonight we were graced with:
- rob
- Jimmy & Catherine
- Justin Heath
- The Marsh Lovers
- Steve Cutts
- John Peiffer
- Muleman
- Adele McAllister
- Jimmy
- Skip
- Ian
- Roman Kostovski
- Skip
- The El Golfo Coerced Blues Collective
