We have a local venue that on occasion features well known bands (Squeeze, English Beat, Bo Diddley), but by and large, it showcases far more obscure artists. Every other Thursday is Open Mic Night. For $5, you get two songs from 10-15 performers. They are usually a bit too folk-oriented for my tastes, but it's a nice mix of genres. I've been very impressed with the quality of talent that is largely going unheard. As last night's show was drawing to a close, with 20 or so patrons remaining,  a guy got up who resembled a cross between an aging Art Garfunkel and Peter Boyle. It was Andy Pratt from "Avenging Annie" fame. He'd been living in Belgium and the Netherlands for 15 years, but had moved back to Massachusetts a few years back. He didn't resemble the fresh-faced singer I vaguely remembered from decades ago. He admitted that he'd been through four marriages. Anyway, Andy played his two songs, ending with "Avenging Annie". He really threw himself into his piano playing and pretty well achieved the falsetto that made the tune memorable and a hit on AM radio. As I left, I bought a CD from him and asked  what he was up to. He said that Sony gets the royalties so he is taking the Prince route and re-recording his songs. I don't think we appreciate the struggle it must be to eke out a living for the vast majority of professional musicians. I hope he can find a place on the radio.

Peter T.