Open Mic, February 4, 2017

Wayward Regulars Return

“Four performers who have performed regularly at our shows in the past returned for another stellar engagement tonight,” said Host and Arts Center president Ron Hackett. “Everyone has their own life to live, but it’s great when we can get these old friends back on our stage.”

Co-host Taylor Hoch started the show with an original song from a musical she is writing about Jack the Ripper entitled, “Let’s Me Seem Sane.” Next, she took a trip down memory lane by performing an original song named, “Simplicity” that she had written many years ago. She finished with another song from her musical entitled, “I Don’t Dream the Same as You.”

Rocker Steven Massey finally returned to our stage after being gone for several months. “I have a new job in Huntsville, so I hope to be coming to the open mic more often,” said Massey. He performed three of his original tunes: “Gone Without a Trace,” “Baby I was Born to Sing the Blues,” and “Eliza.”

Randall Mills, another wayward regular, returned to our stage to perform three cover songs that included: “People are Crazy,” by Billy Currington; “All I Think About is Getting You Home,” by Chris Young; and “Imagine,” by John Lennon.

Rounding out the trio of wayward male regulars was Elliott from Petersburg, who has been away visiting with grandchildren. Elliott graced us with light-hearted music like “Oh How He Lied,”

“Frog Kissin,’” and “How Can I Miss You If You Won’t Go Away.”

Thunderbyrd Newman was back for his third week in a row. Newman, an avant-garde songwriter, performed three of his original tunes that included “Time Rolls On,” “Sugar Daddy Strut,” and “Fine Line.”

“Rose Pyatt is another regular who has been out-of-state for much of our third season, and we are glad to have her back,” said Hock. Pyatt started with a cover of “Wind Beneath My Wings,” that was written in 1982 by Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley. The song became famous when Bette Midler sang it in film Beaches. Pyatt finished with two of her original tunes entitled “Can’t Live With It, Can’t Live Without It” and “Look for Your Coming.”

Hackett closed the show with several guitar instrumentals performed on nylon strings. “I just felt like doing something different tonight,” said Hackett. He began his set with Johann Sebastian Bach’s Bouree in E minor. The tune is well known because it was performed by the band Jethro Tull on their breakout album, “Stand Up.” He finished with two bossa novas written by Antônio Carlos Jobim entitled “Corcovado” and “One Note Samba.”

Photos

Photos courtesy of Ron Hackett

Taylor Hoch

Steven Massey

Randall Mills

Elliott from Petersburg

Thunderbyrd Newman

Rose Pyatt