About 10 years ago at Gate 403 on Roncesvale in Toronto…
Ron Davis was playing piano and invited me out. I went with my friend and was very nervous. I had on black pants and my favorite pink T-shirt. It had little embroidered roses around the neckline.
What did I sing? I think it was Honeysuckle Rose. I had to do it because I had my first gig coming up in a few months… I was always a piano player. A classical piano player at that!! I wrote music, I taught music, I directed musicals… but I never considered myself a singer! Yikes!!!!
It was fun!! I loved it… I wanted to do more!! Everyone was nice!!
I went back the next week, and then to another club called Sax on Yonge. There was a trio led by the wonderful and talented Julie Michels. I brought one of my originals. I did One Note Samba, and then the next week I had the courage to try out the original… Arms Length. My friend took pictures outside the club. I felt silly, but I wish I had that photo now.
Julie was wonderful and very encouraging and welcoming, not to mention a phenomenal singer!
I think open mics are great. It’s all about being… open!!