A post stolen from the craigslist musicians section:

All right! So when I got back and read a couple of the rants on here labeling Albany as Smallbany, I kind of giggled and laughed. It wasn’t until I met with a few of the musicians from the area and attended a couple of Open Mics did I really begin to notice what was going on. I have lived all over the country. I have brushed elbows regularly with superstars whom ironically where some of the most humble and kind people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Since my arrival in the Capital district I have come across more inconsiderate, pompous ego maniacs than every before in my life. From the locals who monopolize open mic(with obvious minimal investment of time in the music craft) , to studios who who charge exorbitant amounts for piss poor quality recordings ,it’s all very laughable. I used to think it was important to support open mic night ,well after it is of no use to a musician personally. I felt it gave those developing the craft something to strive for, but now I am convinced it’s a waste of time. For someone who has worked tirelessly to perfect their art it’s a waste of time, because no one ultimately cares about the music. It’s it’s a big f%$^^ing popularity contest here and that’s all that it will ever be! Musicians suffer from the big fish little pond effect!The thought that a person could show up over hour early for an open mic and not even get a chance to sign the list is pathetic and reflects directly on local musicians! There is no time to, because the list goes from the hands of the local running it into the hands of his buddy. He in turn signs up all his buddies whom haven’t even arrived yet. It’s really quite a vicious little circle, but again laughable. Unless the place had a decent draft beer and cheeseburger the newcomer is SOL. This has brought me to the conclusion that most people who play music aren’t musicians but people with very damaged psyches who spent a lot of time alone. They have nothing else to do,so they learn to hack up a few songs on guitar! Welcome to the capital district! Does anyone know a travel agent?

This rant was posted on craigslist in the musicians forum and who ever this anonymous poster is right on target on the music scene here! He’s basically ranting about how open mics are around here which I absolutely agree with but he pretty much summed it up on how this music scene is as well.

This area is nothing but a popularity contest with music, and this area is full of pompous egomaniacs for sure!

What he explained above is why I don’t frequent open mics anymore. I used to frequent open mics all of the time when I was younger but I stopped going to them. Open mics are just for regulars who jerk themselves off and pretending to be professional musicians.

Open mics should be welcome for everybody no matter the level of talent. A lot of open mic hosts run them pretty horribly too.

Kev