10/06/2026
It's 1992 and I'm in 7th grade.
We had just gotten our first CD player as a family and were the proud owners of greatest hits compilations from Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Carole King, Neil Diamond, and, of course...Jim Croce.
One night, we all went to "Enchanted Castle" to play Skee-Ball, jump in the ball pit, and celebrate my cousin's birthday. There were about 20 of us and probably another 75 people in the main room, where the animatronic band was playing Top 40 hits in full character.
To my great surprise, and all of a sudden, a man walked up wearing a polyester shirt with paisleys on it and a fedora hat and sang "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones...It was amazing! He sounded perfect, and the people went wild as they ate pizza and corralled their kiddos.
I was sold and started getting to the bottom of how that guy got to leave his table and walk up onto the stage to sing! I learned that all I had to do was pick a song, fill out the card, and give it to the guy in the Hawaiian shirt...so I did.
I handed him the little slip of paper, and he looked down at my song choice, then glanced up and said..."Great pick, kid :)"
The fun ended that moment as reality set in.
I was no singer!
I was no performer!
Yet here I was, about to do the craziest thing of my young life.
I sang "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" by Jim Croce.
My voice cracked when I sang about "messing with the wife of a jealous man," and people chuckled. I saw them chuckle, and it became harder still. I forgot the words and lost my place on the karaoke screen with the bouncing ball.
At the very end, I found my voice a little and was able to wail, "Baddest man in the whole damn town, badder than old King Kong, and meaner than a junkyard dog!"
The song ended, and my people went nuts. And I learned once and for all...how incredibly hard it is, and how much courage it takes, to sing for people.
Once a month, we host Open Mic Night, where folks come and share from their hearts. All we have to do is listen, enjoy, and clap at the end :)
Be careful, though, or you may get caught up in it and find yourself sharing your own heart with us. But don't worry—we'll clap loud, even if your voice cracks!
Originals. Covers. Poetry. All welcome :)
Tuesday, October 13th • 6:00 PM
PLEASE SHARE
