Open mic nights showcase talent

Someone whispers "test" into a microphone, the aroma of coffee wafts through the room and a courageous individual stands in front of the crowd, ready to pour out his or her soul to a room of strangers at Kirksville's open mic events.

West Winery at Jackson Stables hosts an open mic night every Friday in October from 6 to 9 p.m. It's open to audience members and participants of all ages.

The open mic night at Jackson Stables has been a venue for musicians for several months. Manager Karen Elam said she has been impressed by the talented musicians that have performed.

"It just blows me away that in this little, tiny town, what awesome musicians just walk through the door," Elam said.

Willy Newell, host of the Open Mic Nights, is one of the musicians Elam enjoys. Newell's interest in music began 39 years ago when he started sneaking his father's guitar to learn how to play. At the open mic, Newell played his main instrument, the keyboard, as well as a guitar and a melodica, which is a combination of a harmonica and an accordion. He said his favorite thing about Open Mic Nights is meeting the musicians. Along with performing at open mics, Newell performs with various bands, including the Megan Boyer band, which performed at Round Barn Blues, and Blues Hog, a Truman band.

"When you run out of the pool of musicians in a small town, you turn to Truman and you get some fresh, young musicians that are great," Newell said.

Weston Newell, Willy Newell's son, and senior Luke McDuff played jam music alongside Newell at the open mic. Weston performs with his father in the band King Pin.

McDuff started playing at open mics a year ago and also performs in the band Copasetic. McDuff said he enjoys the live rush, and at open mics he gets to perform different genres of music like country, blues and jazz.

"For me it's like a learning opportunity to get out and play different types of things than I normally would," McDuff said.

Every Saturday, the Washington Street Java Company's mic opens up from 7 to 9 p.m. for a variety of music genres, poetry readings and stand-up comedy. George Arvin approached Java Co with the idea, and they agreed to let him host the event. He has been participating in and running open mics for 25 years. Arvin said he wants to provide people, especially Truman students, with the opportunity to perform.

Arvin picked Java Co for the open mic location, because he wanted to have a place close to campus, so it would be convenient for college students to come and perform.

"I don't think we in Kirksville have a lot of opportunities to play," Arvin said. "I want to give people that opportunity."

Senior Arthur Harrill is a frequent customer at Java Co and has had the opportunity to observe the performances. Harrill said he thinks the performances enhance the shop's atmosphere.

Arvin said they are encouraging anyone who has talent or a desire to express themselves to come out and perform. They have a binder full of jokes, short stories and poems from authors including Walt Whitman, Maya Angelou and Shakespeare that anyone can use. Arvin said he encourages performers to bring original music, poetry or jokes with them to perform.

Both venues encourage performers and observers to come and enjoy the spontaneity of live performances.

"You don't know what's going to come through the door," Arvin said.