Open Mic Review: The Morning After
from Worcester Magazine: 2006
Everyone wants feedback. From an audience. Usually not from your amp.
There are plenty - tons, even -- of musicians out there who aren't part of a working band yet. There are a lot who just don't have the time, haven't honed their skills enough, or haven't the nerve. Some were pros at one time, but let the rust set into their vocal cords or guitar neck.
It's why the open mic scene thrives around here. For any style, at any level, there's got to be one around here for you -- or your friend. Open mics, too, are inherently forgiving and nurturing by nature. We haven't seen one yet where a performer hasn't felt appreciated for at least trying.
Bill McCarthy is perhaps the king of open mics in Worcester County, and is the epitome of a host -- a talented and easygoing presence who is welcoming and accommodating. He's been hosting them since 1987, when Tom Foolery's called him to replace its Tuesday night karaoke -- a direct reaction to the closing of the Old Vienna Kaffeehaus. It was a solo gig at first, but lots of people would drop by and play. He'd let them play for an hour if they wanted to. "It just grew from there," says McCarthy, who also plays countless solo gigs around the area. "After about a year it went crazy. I remember Sting's son was staying in Southbridge with some schoolmates. He played at Tom Foolery's."
When Tom Foolery's closed in '99, he knew he had to sustain the momentum, bringing his open mic -- and its many followers -- to The Black Orchid, Ralph's Tavern and The Canoe Club. It's now at The Lazy Dog in Marlboro every Wednesday, starting at 7 p.m. McCarthy organizes this mic, which is heavily singer/songwriter-driven, through his Web site, https://www.angelfire.com/ma2/openmcc/. He reserves half-hour slots, and interested performers can e-mail him requesting a time. Some singers -- such as Deb Rao, Bill Johnson, Lori Diamond Merrihew and Jennifer Lee -- have been with him for years. But he sees a changing slew of performers, from amateurs to pros just testing out a new tune. Bret Talbert from Hothead and Scott Ricciuti drop by occasionally to try out new tunes, or strip down their existing ones.
"I have some people who do gigs and still like this," says McCarthy. "The Baysics are like that. It's a social club for many. There are a lot of them who don't have the material or inclination or equipment to do anything else. They just have to have a guitar and a couple of bucks for a beer. They pick up their guitar while I'm schlepping the PA system out at the end of the night."
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Email: openmcc@verizon.net
