Ten years later, open mic host Ron Sowell tells why he wanted to start his popular Open Stage and why some nervous nellies need to stop apologizing for themselves.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Friday will be the 10th anniversary of Ron Sowell's Open Stage, one of Charleston's longest running open mic nights. Open Stage always takes place the second Friday of each month in the performer-friendly confines of Unity of Kanawha Valley at 3102 Blaine Boulevard in North Charleston. It's a true listening room space with a supportive audience (which also comes to enjoy 50 cent to $1 gourmet snacks at the back of the room.)
Sign-up is at 7 p.m., with musicians (and the occasional poet) performing from 7:30 to about 10:30 p.m. General admission is $5 or $2 for performers, seniors and children. Gazz writer Douglas Imbrogno caught up with Sowell, leader of the "Mountain Stage" band and a seasoned singer-songwriter, to ask about the roots of Open Stage.
Q: Why did you want to start a Charleston open mic?
A:I started Open Stage because at the time there were no listening rooms in the area where singer-songwriters could try out original material. Others had provided me that opportunity when I began my career. Knowing how important it was to my development as an artist, I felt that it was time for me to give back to my community. It also builds community. When you provide a room with a nice sound system, an attentive audience, and a group of aspiring musicians, magic will happen. Magic and community - that is what interests me.
Q:Define a listening room.
A:It's an environment with a good sound system and attentive audience. It has a welcoming atmosphere that values originality and effort. It's a place where performers aren't expected to play the latest song on the radio and compete with drunken patrons and a noisy blender making daquiris.
Q:What kind of performers do you seek?
A:Performers of all ages and skill levels, from the most inexperienced beginner seeking exposure to the most polished pro who wants to try out new material - and everyone in between.
Q:What's your role? Do you ever need to "rescue" the audience from too many of the same kind of songs?
A:I see myself as the glue that holds things together. My job is to introduce the musicians, to make them feel welcome and to get them on and off the stage smoothly. It's my job to grab my guitar or harmonica and back someone up if they ask - or to lighten things up with a funny song if we've just had four depressing songs in a row. I usually end the night with a couple of my own songs and always with a group sing-along.
Q:What's your advice to open mic performers to up their game?
A:Be prepared. Preparation helps eliminate stage fright. Relax and enjoy yourself. Music is supposed to be fun. And don't put yourself down before you start. So many inexperienced performers introduce themselves with a string of excuses about why they are not very good. The audience comes to enjoy themselves and will trust that the performer has it together until the performer gives them reason to doubt.
Reach Douglas Imbrogno at doug...@cnpapers.com or 348-3017.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Friday will be the 10th anniversary of Ron Sowell's Open Stage, one of Charleston's longest running open mic nights. Open Stage always takes place the second Friday of each month in the performer-friendly confines of Unity of Kanawha Valley at 3102 Blaine Boulevard in North Charleston. It's a true listening room space with a supportive audience (which also comes to enjoy 50 cent to $1 gourmet snacks at the back of the room.)
Sign-up is at 7 p.m., with musicians (and the occasional poet) performing from 7:30 to about 10:30 p.m. General admission is $5 or $2 for performers, seniors and children. Gazz writer Douglas Imbrogno caught up with Sowell, leader of the "Mountain Stage" band and a seasoned singer-songwriter, to ask about the roots of Open Stage.
Q: Why did you want to start a Charleston open mic?
A:I started Open Stage because at the time there were no listening rooms in the area where singer-songwriters could try out original material. Others had provided me that opportunity when I began my career. Knowing how important it was to my development as an artist, I felt that it was time for me to give back to my community. It also builds community. When you provide a room with a nice sound system, an attentive audience, and a group of aspiring musicians, magic will happen. Magic and community - that is what interests me.
Q:Define a listening room.
A:It's an environment with a good sound system and attentive audience. It has a welcoming atmosphere that values originality and effort. It's a place where performers aren't expected to play the latest song on the radio and compete with drunken patrons and a noisy blender making daquiris.
Q:What kind of performers do you seek?
A:Performers of all ages and skill levels, from the most inexperienced beginner seeking exposure to the most polished pro who wants to try out new material - and everyone in between.
Q:What's your role? Do you ever need to "rescue" the audience from too many of the same kind of songs?
A:I see myself as the glue that holds things together. My job is to introduce the musicians, to make them feel welcome and to get them on and off the stage smoothly. It's my job to grab my guitar or harmonica and back someone up if they ask - or to lighten things up with a funny song if we've just had four depressing songs in a row. I usually end the night with a couple of my own songs and always with a group sing-along.
Q:What's your advice to open mic performers to up their game?
A:Be prepared. Preparation helps eliminate stage fright. Relax and enjoy yourself. Music is supposed to be fun. And don't put yourself down before you start. So many inexperienced performers introduce themselves with a string of excuses about why they are not very good. The audience comes to enjoy themselves and will trust that the performer has it together until the performer gives them reason to doubt.
Reach Douglas Imbrogno at doug...@cnpapers.com or 348-3017.
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