Fifteen minutes in the limelight

You arrive at the coffeehouse around 6 p.m. with your banjo and harmonica in hand. It's a Wednesday night and Open Mic night. You notice that there are already about half a dozen people gathered there at different tables. All of them have guitars. You ask someone whom to approach about signing up to play. He tells you about the young man with the sign-up sheet. You ask him if there's still time to sign up. Fortunately, you've gotten there just on time and there are still two slots available. You sign up in slot number ten.

Since the music doesn't start until 7 p.m., you've got a whole hour to wait. You notice that there are a group of people sitting together who already know each other. You hear them chatting about guitars and other venues they've played at. Because you are on the shy side, you don't know whom to approach or how to start a conversation. Fortunately, you recognize someone you met at a previous Open Mic night. You start talking with him. You ask him if he's ever seen any other banjo players. You feel a sense of relief that you've found someone to start a conversation with. That makes the hour go by faster.

Finally, it's 7 p.m. and it's time for the music to start. The emcee who is a young bearded man in his early thirties, begins his set. He plays a couple of cover tunes, one of which you recognize. It's a John Prine song you've heard before. Then he introduces the first Open Mic signee. He plays three songs, one of which you recognize. It's an old John Denver song you used to play. You sit back and enjoy listening to the music. Everyone except you plays guitar. A couple of performers play harmonicas along with their guitars. They range in age from early twenties to people in their sixties. You notice that most of them are men. However, there are a couple of women. One of them plays a Joni Mitchell tune you've heard before. As you listen, you go to the coffeehouse counter to order a moccha latte. You start to relax as the night wears on, and enjoy listening to the songs being played. Then it comes

time for you to get up and play. As the emcee announces your name, you start to get stage fright even though you've already played many Open Mics. Your stomach is in a knot as you make your way to the raised stage with your banjo and harmonica. You decide which songs you're going to play at the last minute. The first one is an old-time, clawhammer banjo fiddle tune which you accompany with your harmonica. You feel a sense of relief when the song ends and you receive a decent applause. You start to relax as you play two other favorite tunes of yours, one of which is an original one you've written recently, and on which you sing. Once more, you receive a nice applause. And then, before you know it, it's all over. You climb down from the stage and find your way back to your table to listen to the final two performers. After the last performer has finished his set, you breathe a sigh of relief, and leave the coffeehouse with your banjo and harmonicas. Yes, you've managed to survive another Open Mic night.