Help Bugsy to help Mbo

Subject: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: Bugsy
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 01:13 AM

I've just been chatting to Mbo on Hearme, and was amazed to find out that he has never performed in public.

He tells me that where he lives (Greenville North Carolina) there are no folk clubs or venues that facilitate first timers.

Now I've been visiting hearme quite regularly lately and Mbo is pretty much a fixture there. It seems a shame that someone with his enthusiasm and obvious music potential should be allowed to hide away in his room playing only on the net.It's young guys like Mbo who are the future of acoustic music.

If he lived over here in Australia, I'd be putting out the feelers for someone to guide him to the local music spots.

He tells me he has a car and is willing to drive for up to a couple of hours to make his "Folk Club Debut", so how about it you US Mudcatters? Can you find him a folk club or singing circle for him in my stead?

I remember my wife dobbing me in to sing at a folk club after I'd been out of the scene since my teens. I'm glad she did. It changed my life.

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: catspaw49
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 01:18 AM

We have several Catters in western North Carolina....lloyd and Chuck Hemrick are two.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 02:48 AM

I've suggested a few things to him as well... busking, playing someones breaks in a pub or a coffee house... stuff like that...

I agree he's pretty good, and should be playing for people while he hones his craft...

So get out there Mbo! And just frigg'n DO IT!

LOL!!!!!

{~`

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: Bugsy
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 03:38 AM

I agree Clinton, but if you think back to the first time you ever sang in public, I bet you had a bit of moral support and a friendly venue as well.

That's why I hoped somoeone over there could help.

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: Dulci46
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 07:02 AM

What about a folk music club, possibly in Charolette? The folk music club where I live has a 3 hour meeting, once a month. The first hour is performers, and the last hour is a sharing circle where anyone can play are sing. They also are asked to play and sing for a lot of other places. I think something like this is a real good way to get started.

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: Jeri
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 08:34 AM

This is a bit "out there," but...

If there is no place for people to try their musical wings, make one. If you're at a college which has a largish room you can use, and possible a sound system, start a coffee-house. You need more people than yourself to get this done, I think. First things first. Put an add in the student (or hometown) newspaper to see if anyone's interested in playing. Put ads on bulletin boards. Start an acoustic jam session. Don't be surprised if only a couple of people show up at first, and don't give up - sometimes these things take a while to get started. While the session won't be performance-oriented, it's still exposure/practice, and will get folks together who might be interested in starting something more formal.

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: sophocleese
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 09:52 AM

Jeri's got a good idea there Mbo. If the space isn't there at the moment make it. You'll probably find several others who are also wishing for the space. At the moment some of our local folkies are involved with the art scene too and therefore play at openings, or fund raisers. On warm days go to a park or public spot and sit and play for awhile, not necessarily busking, just enjoying the air and making music, you might discover some people coming up to talk to you.

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: sophocleese
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 10:48 AM

Course I can write what I did because I'm 35 now. When I was 20 I was too damn nervous to sing in front of anybody. I wish I had the confidence then that I have now, even if it isn't a lot more.

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: Mrrzy
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 12:17 PM

Mbo, if you can get something for the weekend of August 11th or the 20th, the twins and I could be there to offer moral support, sing along (ye cats!) or whatever...it'd be fun! Or even during the week in between if it isn't too far a drive from Carolina Beach...

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 04:47 PM

Take a swing up north to Canada Mbo, we love Folk music up here mate. Halifax is a place people just sit on the waterfront and play. You'll get an audience in no time most of them pretty girls too! Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 05:25 PM

Bugsy...

I wish... the first time I played folk music I was flat out pressured into getting up cold by a 'friend' who was running an open mic... I had gone just to see what was goin' down, and the next thing I knew I was up for nearly 45 minutes so my 'bud' could suck back some suds and pick up chicks... I had never played his guitar before, had never sang into a mic... I had never even been in this bar before... So I just sucked it up and did my thing without even knowing what my thing was... Sorta the empty handed leap into the void... I had a blast!! Lost any and all sence of nerviousness about a minute and a half into the first song... And ended up getting called back up later that night to do it all again.. the barman even booked me to start playing there...

And it's been a hell of a ride ever since...

{~`

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: Amergin
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 05:29 PM

Hey, Mbo, aren't there any places that hold open mikes?

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: Sorcha
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 12:23 AM

Can't help Mbo from Wyoming, but the memories of the first time I perfomed are still vivid. Was 19 yrs ago, at the Evanston, Wyo sled dog races (inside) I was shaking so hard I could hardly play, and thank all Gods I had GOOD backup! The audience either did not notice my stage fright, or very kindly ignored it. I had left Luke, then 2, with a sitter.

About the 3rd song into the set, these policemen came into the room, asking for Luke's mother.........He had walked away from the sitter, up to the Interstate, and was trudging along, looking for his Mum. These 2 hard-core Harley-Davidson Biker types picked him up and took him to the Cop Shop. He did at least, know where I was, and told the police that Mommy was at the Golf Course. The plolice delivered Luke to the Golf Course, and I never even saw the guys who rescued him, let alone knew their names. Needless to say, my public debut was shot to hell, but don't believe that all big, hairy guys on HD's are bad un's--I have blessed those two every day since.

Get out there, Mbo, and shake and quiver until you get over it!(please?)

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 02:22 AM

I'm not sure what the moral is there Sorch. I guess you're suggesting that young Meebo get picked up by two passing Hell's Angels or Satan's Slaves and that they'll take him to a golf course and show him a new stroke or what?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: Sorcha
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 02:43 AM

Moral==anybody can be SAVED!! Even me!! (not to mention, Luke!!)

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 02:57 AM

Then somebody better get Meebo away from them bikers quick! Any volunteers to save Meebo?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help Bugsy to help Mbo
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 11:03 AM

An always-available and NON THREATENING place to sing is nursing homes. Call a nursing home, ask for the activities director, and say you'd like to volunteer a program for the residents. Tell them you'll do, say, half an hour. You'll be received with open arms. The residents will be very appreciative, I promise you!

Dave Oesterreich