06.19.08
Open Mic Finals – Uncommon Ground
I am blessed! I don’t know how else to put it – I am truly blessed to be surrounded each and every week by such incredible talent that is all about the Chicago Music scene..
As many of you know, each week I host the Shure Open Mic performance at each Uncommon Ground location – Mondays at Clark and Tuesdays at Devon. Every 6 months we take the winners from each week and ask them to compete for the top spots and money and prizes.
On Monday this week we held the Clark Semi-Finals putting the top 20 performers from Clark competed for 7 slots moving to the finals on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the Devon Semi-Finals took place and another 23 performers competed for 7 more slots to move on to the finals. Of course if you know me, each week I have a hard time counting – and Tuesday was no different, since somehow 8 spots moved on to the finals! (Hey, you try judging these incredible performers!) 
Last night it all came to a head when 15 of the top musical talents from around the Chicagoland area put it all out there for a fantastic audience and our judges. I was recently at the True Colors concert with Cyndi Lauper, the B52’s and many other performers and I have to say last nights finals put that concert to shame!!
I honestly have no idea how to put into words the excitement I felt last night at each and every performance. Some regulars were there of course and some new comers to the Chicago music scene. I sat back and just took in some of the best music this city has to offer.
As hostess and sound engineer it is my job to keeps things flowing and run the sound. And yes, I screw up – just like lastn ight when I left the piano on mute the first 30 seconds of one performer. Of course feedback is your friend – NOT, but it does occur and I hate it when it does. But for the most part – very few techinical issues occurred.
I want to write about each and every performer, and I plan to do so – for now, I just want to thank a few people – and acknowledge the winners of course. But I have to first and foremost thank Uncommon Ground, Mike and Helen and of course the entire staff that makes Uncommon Ground a true family venue. Each week each and everyone one of the staff of UG put forth a great effort to support all the music that is highlighted here. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Mike and Helen are perhaps one of the most giving couples I have ever met when it comes to the music scene. They truly love and support all the music that comes into Uncommon Ground and to both of them, a huge thank you. And BTW I screwed up and scheduled the finals when they were away – which is the only reason you did not see them but rest assured, I won’t do that again!
The guest judges – Allison, Christopher, David and of course Kristin – to you all – Thank you for taking some of this burdon of trying to judge this talent off of me. IT IS HARD! I owe you all!
And now to the musicians. I started this blog saying I am blessed and I truly mean that. I LOVE music more than you know and to be a part of this each week – to listen to the talent and hear each of you perform – I am truly honored to be a part of it all!
Last night 4 of you just took it up a bit more and I hope you all realize just how much talent you bring to these performances… The voting was tight and we had a last minute “Sing Off” for the order of the top 4 spots. WOW!
The First Place prize of $1000 was taken by a two time winner – Crystal Bowersox. Girl, you rocked the house last night!! Congratulations to a new comer, Jess Godwin who took 2nd place of $300 after a come from 3rd “Sing Off” performance that just made the judges take a second look. That is what this is all about! Third Place of $200 went to Lindsey Czechowicz who just made everyone stop and take notice. You are indeed an artist! And finally, we just could not do just the top 3 last night – so my thanks to a fantastic performer, who came in and walked away with $100 Fourth Place prize – Brian Walker!
There was not anyone who could not have won last night! I said it last night, I wish I could have just given each of you $1000!! I am going to post all of your myspace/web pages here and on my website(s) as soon as I gather them all up.
Thank you again to everyone for an incredible night and I will see you all again for the next round – remember, it all starts up again next Monday at Clark and Tuesday at Devon! And if you have not been to Uncommon Ground before – COME ON OUT!!!
Peace
Kat
PS – if you want to look them up – here are the performers that made this night what it was:
Mark Brink
Jacky Dustin
Heather Styka
Josh Caress
Brian Walker
Jess Godwin
David Kav
Lindsey Czechowicz
IJ Quinn
Dominic Scola
Jeff Brown
Matt Ryd
Emily C Palmer
Ashlee and Chris
Crystal Bowersox