There were two featured artists at the Poor David’s Pub open mic on Monday night, January 11, hosted by Mr. Troll. Actually more like a featured artist and special guest. 1 Last Chance was the featured artist. The band, from Oxford, Mississippi, consists of Brandon McDaniel on lead guitar, Jacob Hampton on guitar, and Johnathan Ray on drums.
They call themselves a combination of punk, alternative, and progressive, rock. I detected a smattering of grunge as well. With Ray’s driving force on drums and Brandon’s rythmnic control on guitar, it was easy to forget there was no bass player. From one high intensity song to
another, the intensity did not waiver throughout the set.
They played all three songs from their EP, This Nowhere – A Perfect Machine, Changes, and Devin. The EP was released in July of 2015. They ended the set with a punk version of (I’m not your) Steppin’ Stone that Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees would call “interesting.” 1 Last Chance is headed to Norman, Oklahoma, Amarillo, and Fort Stockton, Texas before heading back toward Mississippi. They are scouting potential studios for their next recording sessions while they are on the road.
The “special guest” was sound man Carlos Sanchez and the Ghoulies. They are a six piece band. I don’t have any names, other than Carlos. Hopefully, Troll will post in the comments with their names. They covered Eric Clapton and Texas Tornadoes, and did them well. At the end of the open mic, a few members of the Ghoulies joined Scott Thornton and Tin Man Travis for an all out jam.
Peace be with you.
The first open mic tales post of the new year is about the featured artist at the last open mic at 
[Re-posted from last year at this time. This year’s observations will be in a following post.]
After a few opening comments, Roy introduced Dickey Johnson. Dickey, along with Mary Guthrie and Mary Hestand (Sugar Daddy and the M&Ms), played his winning critique song, Alone with Alone. Then Elkins introduced Dan Roark, Showcase, Workshop, and Lyric Contest Director. Dan gave a short bio of the Americana judge, Kendra Terry, booking manager at Uncle Calvin’s Coffee House. He read the list of semifinalists and announced the winners.
semfinal songs, I Believe (Christian), and Dry Bones (Pop/rock). After which, Dan gave a short bio of the Christian/Inspirational judge, Scott Dicken, currently music director at 
A week ago yesterday, I accompanied the children, and my granddaughter Kelley, as they went to the youth and adult Sunday school classes and sang Christmas carols at 
then filed out singing a second song. Many of the adults sang along. The glow on their faces at times rivaled that on the children’s faces. When the children had visited all of the Sunday schools, they headed for the gym. In the gym, the children sat at tables, colored pictures, and talked as the leaders served Jesus’ birthday cake to each table. They also had water or juice to drink.
Roy Elkins, CEO of 
workshop was to begin at 6 p.m. I arrived at 5 p.m. and one person was already there. Since it was a guitar shop, the early arrivals had something to do – which was one of the reasons Tommy was eager to have us. 
Elkins showed the crowd a written pitch that he had actually been given by a member of a band. The writer was apparently inviting Roy to see them at a show. He went on to basically say that the drummer sucked, but they were still going to use him just for the night. He made some more excuses – with bad punctuation and grammar. He ended by saying “you can find our music on soundcloud, sonicbidz, and revernation.” 
Misty and Buddy, waiting for the next person that comes through the door. Whoever it is, they plan to be first to know.
Buddy’s ear picks up the signal of a photo opportunity.
Monday, November 30th, at 
Chasing After Wind 