We would like to thank the Down East Saloon for holding the first ever Open Mic Amateur Music Awards show. The contestants were judged on three points (stage appearance, knowledge of material and talent). The contestants were in order of appearance; Josh Paul, Daniel Wagner, Kayla Spaan, Jane Eller, Charles Aguilar and Jesse Smith. The audience participated in the voting, and Jesse Smith was voted the first place winner (with his singing/guitar talents, ending with his “Hip-hop” arrangements). Jesse had people on their feet dancing. Second place winner was Charles Aguilar doing his versatile multi-talented guitar/ukulele/harmonic/singing arrangements which were impressive. Third place winner went to Daniel Wagner, who has a style all his own. Daniel managed to enchant the audience with music that was new and different. The show ended with Daniel sharing his “finals” stage performance with Kayla Spaan (autoharp) and Jane Eller (ukulele), with Daniel as “back-up,” wailing the night into morning. Jesse Smith wins the opportunity to play on stage for his first “Singer Songwriter” of the week show, and we will be looking forward to seeing his show. Thanks also to Nancy Deaver for all the effort she expended in putting the show together, and to Wes the Mess, for helping to judge the votes. All in all it was an excellent show of local talent, and, it offered a fun time for everyone. We will be looking forward to the next Down East Saloon’s Open Mic Amateur Music Awards in the future. Keep practicing.
Maka Fairman