Up until now I?ve focused on the bands of the local music scene. But the truth is that, in addition to all the great bands in the area, there are also a lot of talented solo singer/songwriters. Nowhere is this more evident than at one of Sacramento?s numerous open mic nights.

An open mic night has a number of appealing aspects. Almost all of the performers are solo musicians, playing completely from the heart. You never get anybody with that ?rock star? attitude. Nobody comes to an open mic night to piss the audience off; they?re there to present their art to those who want to hear it. That?s why some of the best performances I?ve ever seen have been at an open mic night.

Two of my favorite open mic venues are the True Love Coffeehouse (big surprise there) and Old Ironsides. Both have a good group of performers with a very warm atmosphere. At Old Ironsides, the performers sometimes get a little heckled, but it?s usually from some drunk guy at the bar. True Love doesn?t have any hecklers; if the audience doesn?t like what they hear, they go outside ? at least that?s what I do.

Some of the more recognizable voices in Sacramento music can pop up on open mic nights as well. Every once in a while you may see some of Sacramento?s established musicians playing an open mic night just for fun or to try out new material. Grub Dog of Amazing Sweethearts fame actually hosts the open mic night at Old Ironsides, and Kevin Seconds, frontman of 7Seconds and Umpteenth, hosts the True Love?s open mic.

If you need any more reasons to go to an open mic night, I?ll tell you a little story. About six months ago, I went to an open mic night at Old Ironsides, and after the usual parade of musicians (which was pretty bad) Sacramento hometown favorite Oleander showed up to play a secret, very intimate show. My point is that you never know just who?s going to show up at these things.

Some other open mics worth mentioning are the Fox & Goose and the Blue Lamp. Both venues offer a jazz and blues-style open mic, with some of the best blues musicians in town.

So if you?re an aspiring songwriter with a guitar and a decent voice, get rid of those butterflies and head on out to any of the open mic venues in town. Even if you?re not musically inclined, go listen to some of these musicians. They may not be fancy and flashy, but you never know; they may be the next big thing in music.