Norm Ol Buddy,
I have resisted commenting on your post about trying to stay in your seat for rounds after you have played; or in my case; after a friend of mine has played. I have seen you do just that by being the only one left at a large table while the rest of us either went home; or went outside for a smoke or chit chat session. I have to give you credit for staying around and being so polite, you are really good about that.
Now, if I may speak out loud and risk saying something stupid or inappropriate, I have an opinion. We don't leave meaning to be rude; but the fact is; most of the singer/songwriters are frankly quite boring. Most people, outside of Nashville, may have the opinion Nashville is the town to go and hear great entertainers that never got a deal and are just as good as the ones playing on the radio. While that is certainly true in a few cases (MAB for example), entertainers like him are very seldom playing in the writers rounds and being lucky enough to be in the audience while one of them are performing is a chance situation (especially for an out of towner).
More likely than not; the rounds in a lounge like the Commodore or Maxwell House are filled with mediocre singer/songwriters (or worse) that bore you quickly and cause the audience to lose interest and begin talking, check there phones, or go outside for a smoke and conversation. The better singer/songwriters performing for the "Featured" slot, usually get more audience attention and are usually the type of talent the visiting audience expects from Nashville. However, the rounds before the featured act and after the featured act may not be so good; especially later in the night when an open mic may begin.
Also a disadvantage for a venue like the Commodore or the Maxwell House, is that they are a lounge in a Hotel that encourages their guests to enjoy drinks, a dinner, and some entertainment during their stay. These folks don't know (or care) about proper etiquette, they are there to be entertained even if they have to engage in conversation to entertain themselves. I'm sure it's difficult for host's like Debbie and Lee to book only the best singer/songwriters in town because they don't play out that often; or they don't always get the respect during a performance they would prefer.
An example would be the Bluebird. An unlikely place (away from downtown and just a small room in a strip mall), to expect quality music. While even the Bluebird can't always book the best of the best, they do book the better writers wanting to perform their songs for a live audience. That could be because the Bluebird insists on silence while the performers are playing (they advertise as being a listening room) and the artist's interpret a quiet audience as being respectful and enjoying their music. Silence while performing can be as rewarding as a polite applause at the end of their song.
Because the Bluebird is such a desired place to play for the artist's, there is a waiting list to perform there. They are booked solid and sold out 6 days a week; bit they still allow newcomers to perform at an 'open mic' on Monday nights; which you can find some good artist's and some really bad ones. Everyone wants to say they played the Bluebird, even if it's only on open mic night.
So while you are correct Norm in pointing out it is polite to stay in your seats for a couple of rounds, it is sometimes difficult to do as an audience member, I'm sure it's different if you are a performer and then it would be good to hang around.
OD ...... I hope you or The MAB will correct me if I'm wrong.
I have resisted commenting on your post about trying to stay in your seat for rounds after you have played; or in my case; after a friend of mine has played. I have seen you do just that by being the only one left at a large table while the rest of us either went home; or went outside for a smoke or chit chat session. I have to give you credit for staying around and being so polite, you are really good about that.
Now, if I may speak out loud and risk saying something stupid or inappropriate, I have an opinion. We don't leave meaning to be rude; but the fact is; most of the singer/songwriters are frankly quite boring. Most people, outside of Nashville, may have the opinion Nashville is the town to go and hear great entertainers that never got a deal and are just as good as the ones playing on the radio. While that is certainly true in a few cases (MAB for example), entertainers like him are very seldom playing in the writers rounds and being lucky enough to be in the audience while one of them are performing is a chance situation (especially for an out of towner).
More likely than not; the rounds in a lounge like the Commodore or Maxwell House are filled with mediocre singer/songwriters (or worse) that bore you quickly and cause the audience to lose interest and begin talking, check there phones, or go outside for a smoke and conversation. The better singer/songwriters performing for the "Featured" slot, usually get more audience attention and are usually the type of talent the visiting audience expects from Nashville. However, the rounds before the featured act and after the featured act may not be so good; especially later in the night when an open mic may begin.
Also a disadvantage for a venue like the Commodore or the Maxwell House, is that they are a lounge in a Hotel that encourages their guests to enjoy drinks, a dinner, and some entertainment during their stay. These folks don't know (or care) about proper etiquette, they are there to be entertained even if they have to engage in conversation to entertain themselves. I'm sure it's difficult for host's like Debbie and Lee to book only the best singer/songwriters in town because they don't play out that often; or they don't always get the respect during a performance they would prefer.
An example would be the Bluebird. An unlikely place (away from downtown and just a small room in a strip mall), to expect quality music. While even the Bluebird can't always book the best of the best, they do book the better writers wanting to perform their songs for a live audience. That could be because the Bluebird insists on silence while the performers are playing (they advertise as being a listening room) and the artist's interpret a quiet audience as being respectful and enjoying their music. Silence while performing can be as rewarding as a polite applause at the end of their song.
Because the Bluebird is such a desired place to play for the artist's, there is a waiting list to perform there. They are booked solid and sold out 6 days a week; bit they still allow newcomers to perform at an 'open mic' on Monday nights; which you can find some good artist's and some really bad ones. Everyone wants to say they played the Bluebird, even if it's only on open mic night.
So while you are correct Norm in pointing out it is polite to stay in your seats for a couple of rounds, it is sometimes difficult to do as an audience member, I'm sure it's different if you are a performer and then it would be good to hang around.
OD ...... I hope you or The MAB will correct me if I'm wrong.
Like