Words and Photos By Keith May
Alice Wallace, Danny Maika, Nick Bearden, Becky Holt, Tim Eric. Never heard of them? How about Matt Keye? Parker Macy? Nam Ninja? Poor Friends? Paul Hines? No? Well, these are only a few of the ready-for-radio guitar-slingers performing weeknights at various Open-Mikes and Songwriter Showcases in Orange County. Mondays at Westside Grill in Costa Mesa, Tuesdays at Alta Coffee in Newport Beach or House of Blues in Anaheim, Wednesdays at The Vault in Santa Ana, Sol Grill in Newport Beach or eVocal in Costa Mesa and Thursdays at The Gypsy Den in Santa Ana. Cozy spots featuring an eclectic collection of novice and virtuosos sharing songs you’ve never heard on small stages and large ones.
Warming the room with songs of their own, hosts include salty old veteran of the music scene Dusty Leer, unassuming Allen Morris and local musicologist John Carillo. Almost everyone you meet are musicians with online music, but for now, swim just below the surface. Struggling with no budget and no representation, but trying to compensate with raw talent and ambition. Shaking hands and polishing their act until making the big-time. It’s a well-traveled path all songwriters follow. Imagine seeing Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young or Bob Dylan in a small club before they were signed. For the cost of a cup of coffee.
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