Make Your Own Kind of Music at New Open Mic Night

is first and foremost a sports bar. Big screen televisions line the walls, showing a variety of sports coverage while the floor of the main seating area is designed to look like a football field. 

However, there is another side to this sports bar. In the end-zone of that same football field there is an impressive raised stage and on Tuesday nights, that stage will be filled with local musical talent. 

Running this music open mic night are two longtime locals with a wealth of musical experience, Mike Boller and TC Sadlier. Both hosts are accomplished guitarists and vocalists who started this new open mic night in early August this year. 

“I have lived in and around New Port Richey since I first moved to Florida in '96. My co-host TC Sadlier, has lived in New Port Richey for 40 some-odd years,” says Boller. “I have been playing on and off since I was eight ... I'm 58 now. TC has been playing for 50 plus years.”

In addition to their extensive experience, the duo also brings a vast sound system and a soundman to this Open Mic Night. With such a big stage and such a big PA it is not surprising that you get a big sound at Crazy Eddie’s. This is certainly not a coffee shop style Open Mic. 

A recent Tuesday night was actually supposed to be something of a sound test for the equipment and yet several musicians turned up to play. Monte Valdez from local rock band The Mad Hatters jumped up to accompany the hosts on stage with some intricate blues guitar. Later in the night, The Mad Hatters vocalist Kurtis Hoehn stepped up with an acoustic guitar and played a few solo numbers. 

Both Boller and Sadlier are friendly and encouraging hosts, eager to see new performers and hear all kinds of music. Boller says he was happy with the turn out for the first night and believes as the weeks go by more and more musicians will show up to play. 

“As we grow I expect to see some really talented people take the stage at our Open Mic Nights,” says Boller

Benchwarmers, located at 6431 U.S. 19, New Port Richey, is a family-friendly restaurant. The various musical styles performed on stage at this new open mic appeared one night to be enjoyed by an appreciative audience.

“We're doing this to have some fun, play some music, and entertain,” says Boller, “The audience will pick up on our fun and hopefully have some fun of their own. Good times are contagious,”

The open mic night is a weekly gig starting at 7 p.m. every Tuesday. Come out to Tuesday night's jam, and, if you're into live music, check out musician Tim Cronin's of acts at local venues.