98.5 The Grizz

Yesterday, Lara Csengody called me around 4ish as I was leaving work. She had done some bloodhound work and found a couple of places that were doing open mics. We met around 8 at West Port and headed into Illinois in search of the Stagger Inn Again. On the way, I think we redefined the word lost as we double backed and crossed our own path a handful of times. Anyway, we showed up around 9:00ish and talked to a guy named Steve. Steve said he would be glad to let us go up around 12:30. Not really wanting to stay out that late, and knowing we had another place to go check out, I asked Steve what they did between groups. He said they usually play a cd. So I said he should let us go up, so that the audience keeps their attention on the stage, we'd do some time while the guys are plugging in or whatnot and make some announcements (general MC type stuff). Steve agreed, and I must say the entire evening was awesome. I must have gotten up three or four times to do a 3 to 5 minute set (each one different of course) and the audience was very cool. I saw people in the back craning their necks to see me, and I saw a lot of people laughing. There were the usualy talkers, but that happens, especially at open mic jams. In any case, Lara and I got stage time and I got to work on my MC skills. As for the actual Stagger Inn Again, the place was very cool, like a cross between a hunting lodge and an old pizza parlor. There weren't mounted trophies or anything, but Tim the bartender had a huge Grizzley Adams beard. We ended up staying pretty late in Illinois, but hit the road around midnight to go to The Great Grizzly Bear. We talked to the owner Scott about providing services similar to what we did earlier in the evening. There was a band taking down during our conversation, they had played all evening. The Grizz (as I now like calling it) doesn't do jam sessions and open mics, but more has bands come in (and they bring friends and fans) and get a cut of the door (if they have a cover) or they get a cut of the bar. Scott said he would love to do a comedy night, we talked about weekdays, and decided Mondays would be our safest bet. No date has been set yet, and I have to do some research on how I'll get people to actually show up once a show is scheduled, but Scott asked that I remain in contact. I would very much like the first show to go over as well as the show in Montgomery City, however, since Scott would rather work off of liquid variables (the door intake, or bar percentage) I have no guaranteed budget, which makes it harder to bring touring pros like Dano Sullivan, Andi Smith or Brett Clawson. In anycase, I need to do some research, both about locale and about what my next step should be. Also it'd be nice if I could update the "booking" portion of the website.