IS THIS THING ON?

Douglas Corner Cafe, Nashville, TN, 12:16 this morning. I finally climb onto this stage --

-- to perform at the Open Mic Writer's Night. When I arrived (at 8:00 pm), I found out I was number 30. It was a crowded room even when I played. The way they do it there is "in the round," like a lot of places around Nashville. It's kinda cool, you're onstage with three other writers and you each do one song, then another. It makes it really interesting and mixes up the styles, genres, stories, and the people. Oh my goodness. The range of ages and backgrounds, it was pretty wild.

These little cuties were Gospel singers. So good! Then there was this other gentleman, probably in his late 60's early 70's, white hair, white goatee, blue jeans black leather jacket, really a cool looking dude. And he could play and sing like you can't believe! Come on! Some of the people have had successful songs cut by big recording artists, and they can coast now and just hang. And they do! And they play their hits and it's very cool and the people love hearing the hits (which I am usually unfamiliar with).

There's this guy named Craig that I see around, really amazing player/writer. He wrote a song called "I Miss Living in Louisianne." Just Cajun as can be. I could watch him all night.

We had three real lookalikes. Jared Leto lookalike decided to show up dressed as Colin Farrell. Old Neil Diamond and Willie Nelson showed up. They really looked just like them! But older versions of the stars. It was kinda uncanny! Oh, this other guy gets up there wearing the birkenstock-type sandals, with white gym socks. It was cold last night! Then he started singing and his voice was like an angel and his songs truly poignant and beautiful (he and I talked for a while after I sang. Cool dude. Along with a bunch of other people who were very complimentary about my songs and voice and I was sincerely touched!).

When my name was called, there was only two of us left to play, myself and this young cutie named George. From what I understand, he's had some hits because he had requests. Which he seemed to love. He was awesome! After our two songs each (I again did "One More Song," and "Starting to Shake," killed 'em!!!), they asked us each to do another because "we're diggin' y'all." So I thought fast and did "Flawed," which was adequate.

Needless to say I had a blast, OH! and I was asked to join a Writer's Night this Friday which I will attend. They make videos as well, so you know I'm all for that!

Douglas Corner Cafe, 1:16 this morning. I skip out to my car, happy to be here!