Open Mic Night Brings Out Local Talent

Concord's Main Streets Market and Cafe was overflowing Tuesday night as
performers waited to get their groove on during an open mic night hosted by
writer,  lead vocalist and guitarist Bruce Marshall of "The  Bruce Marshall
Group."

"It's a phenomenon in Eastern Mass," said chord melody jazz performer Dave
Hart who was waiting to take the stage.

He said this was not his first time cranking out tunes at the Main Streets Market.

"There are more  people who come to this open mic than any other [place] I know of," said Hart. "And, it's a very lively atmosphere and a very friendly atmosphere. It  [performances] runs the gamut of  so many different styles and  everything, so we all have a lot of fun here, and the host is a  wonderful person," said Hart, who described his music as encapsulating a song in chords and "single note runs."

Hart said that while there was some improvisation in  his music he  played
a standard list of songs so that people would recognize them.

Other performers waiting to go on were also happy to have a place to  show
what they got.

"It's like the only place in Concord where you can  actually play music," said lead vocal and guitarist Graham Peck. "I mean  I go to music school in California so its just a good chance to just  practice during the summer."

He said it was a good way to get into the  "groove of practicing and everything...This is good for this area. Its  the only place I think in the
suburbs of Boston that really has anything  good," he added. "You have to go
40 minutes from here or something."

He  said he liked playing because of the "natural high" it gave him. "You
really can't describe it but its just a really good way to feel good without
doing anything bad," said Peck.

Others saw their work as a way to be part of something unique.

"I'm in college right now and I've just realized I  really don't want to work a nine to five job," said guitarist and  vocalist Danielle Ashley. "So I am trying to pursue my music to see if  it can go somewhere. And I really love it," she added. Ashley said her  music went along the lines of Alanis Morrissette and Michelle Branch.