After last week's depressing turn-out at open mic, I decided that I would definitely stop by for Joseph's night hosting last night. Again, it was a pretty sparse crowd, but we had fun. I wish more hosts would 

Performed with Dave Jutras and David Harbaugh (a.k.a. "Sister Mary David") at the Dallas Ukulele Headquarters meeting yesterday. Great fun! In fact, I had so much fun playing uke that I plan to check out the Austin Ukulele Society next month. 

I'm certainly not giving up my 12-string, but there's just something about playing a uke that makes me smile. May buy a cuatro (a Venezuelan four-stringer, similar to a baritone ukulele) just for fun. 

That's Harbaugh as Sister Mary David along with me as "Lou Siffer" (Note the horns). I passed out business cards reading: "Lou Siffer, Acquistions Specialist, Call 666-6666." 

After a huge show last month at BBR performing with David and Richard as Thickety Creek and playing host to great musicians Kaye Reznik, Paul Teneyuque and others, last night it was just me and an audience of five. No other musicians showed up! 

On the plus side, I got to do a two-hour gig solo. It actually went quite well, and four out of five people stayed for the whole thing. (I think the only guy to leave was that damn dentist who won't cave on recommending sugarless gum for his patients who chew gum!)

I think if they'd told me in advance that I needed to perform for two hours straight, I would have stressed out over a song list. As it was, I just kept playing whatever popped into my head, including a few oldies from my Pros from Dover days like Terry Kufner's "Come a Little Closer," David Harbaugh's "Elvira Sue," and an old folk favorite, "The Cat Came Back." 

Last night at BB Rovers, I filled in as a last-minute opening act for the Judith Miller Band, a great jazz trio I know. The keyboardist was late, and Judith asked me to go grab my guitar, and "cover for us" for a while. 

The audience really liked my stuff, and they were very generous with their ovations. It was very different from hosting open mic nights where at least half the audience is other musicians waiting for their turn to play. These folks were only there to listen and enjoy. 

I wish everybody could get a little applause during their workdays. I know it really put a bounce in my step that night. Nothing boosts the old ego like a little heart-felt appreciation.