Heading to Texas, Louisiana and Tennessee from the UK! Open mics?

[Nikki Petherick]

I'm heading to the USA in August, looking for some open mics! I'm going Houston - Lafayette - New Orleans - Nashville - Memphis. Anyone know of anywhere I can play?

[Jersey tuning]

They haven't installed electricity in most of Texas and Louisiana yet so no open mikes there.  But Nashville and Memphis?? OMG. Can I come too?

[TaylorGirl]

Can't answer your question, Nikki, but I hope you enjoy your trip to the U.S. 

[John]

Hi Nikki,
Worst case scenario, you could go on openmics.org and see whats listed for those towns. A Personal experience referral would be better. If you make to the Los Angeles area let me know. I host a Friday Night Open Mic in Long Beach, CA. Have a great trip.

[CodeBlueEMT]

 Find some Irish pubs on your journey.

[BathTimeStrummer]

Finn McCool's and Molly's in the French Quarter both do live music regularly. Don't know if they have open mics, per se, but they may accommodate given your particular genre?

[Nikki Petherick]

Hi all, thank you for all your replies, I actually do play a lot of country and blues music live, I just haven't had the chance to record much of it. I'm not going to the south to play music, I'm going for a holiday. I'd just love a chance to play a little as well. I don't know what it's like over there, but I know in the UK there are open mics in little towns everywhere. I'm not looking for a big break, or a massive crowd, or anything like that, I'd just like a chance to get up somewhere and play a couple songs so I don't get withdrawal symptoms

[Bernie]

Good guitar playing, fine singing...Maybe you should try blues-clubs too, I'd say : I found many afro-american musicians easy-going when playing the blues...Jamming is a common thing and you'd be welcome I believe...

[Nikki Petherick]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Just to let you all know I DID indeed end up playing in just about every place I visited, I had a blast! I played on Frenchman Street in New Orleans LA, Broadway in Nashville TN, I sang with a blues band in Memphis TN and I played in a bar in Natchez MS. Was fantastic, I can't wait to save up enough to travel back to the USA. What a great place

[tedtan]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip.