I thought I remembered reading that. Maybe it was playing over records that wasn’t allowed, for copyright reasons. I stand corrected.
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This is a fabulous idea, I’ve cleared the diary to make sure I can attend in the audience 
It’s already been said that these are really supportive events, and I’ll add my voice to that. I’d really encourage anyone on the fence to take the plunge.
100% this. On the night you will not play as well as you do without an audience, you just won’t. Expect that and embrace it - it’s part of the deal. What really impresses me isn’t the technical difficulty of the performance but someone getting up there and giving it a go, whatever the outcome.
Go for it, it’ll be grand
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I think Elvis had a song about you, I’ll let you guess 
Oh dear . . .
I don’t have any suede shoes irrespective of colour.
My mind is unsuspecting and open not at all suspicious.
And while I know you appreciate me, loving me (tender or any other way) would be a bit weird.
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Just to clarify a few points that have been raised,
Firstly no restriction on backing tracks or playing along with the app. In all the time we have been doing this, I think we have had one “copyright” issue, back in the days when @adi_mrok was editing and hosting the show videos on his own channel.
If you have been able to make a recording for AVOYP you probably already have a good enough set up to be able to link to Zoom. A couple of tags . . .
@brianlarsen used a simple web cam for his frequent OM appearances and I am still not sure if he upgrade to an AI for recent events. Simple and has worked fine.
Our ubiquitous One Take Wednesday recorder @sairfingers just uses his iPhone and I suspect would have no issues connecting that to Zoom. Maybe you could prove this by singing up Gordon, would be great to see you at the FTO event.
More importantly, it is more about the opportunity to perform in a near to live environment. You don’t need state of the art kit, nor are we expecting high quality audio and video. Volumes can be tweaked during editing and grainy video seems to be the norm around here for some live events, so don’t sweat the details.
Song wise keep it simple. Chose a song you like or more importantly you like playing (you may actually hate the song!) but don’t over complicate things. Depending on numbers there maybe an opportunity to do two songs but I’d rather see 22 performers filling our 2 hour slot with a song each and minimise the pressure.
Just give it a go.
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You ain’t nothin’ but a… pussycat!
Indeed, my old cheapie webcam/mic was more than adequate for my ‘skills’
Although Santa brought me an upgrade webcam and separate usb mic a year and a half ago, I’m not sure it has made much of a difference 
The most important factors are to be comfortable performing a simple version of your song in front of whatever platform you’re using and getting the sound settings correct on Zoom before performing (Original Sound for musicians & mic level). As Toby stated, the best way to prepare for an OM, (as well as practicing the song) is to set up and record a Zoom meeting with yourself. Watch the recording. Tweak. Repeat.
Don’t forget to practice your intro blurb too!
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And I am sure there are people here that will also be happy to zoom with you and check your sound and setup as a kind hearted member did for me prior to my stellar debut 
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I only offer ‘special services’ to folk I deem to have ‘special needs’
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In the spirit of inclusivity and broadening the ‘ability level’, perhaps we should allow any of the ‘old-timers’ to sign up if they are willing to perform Nitsuj-style 
It would be a good reminder of how hard it was to learn the very first chords again, not to mention what it feels like to expose ourselves beyond our ‘comfort zones ’
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Maybe another “special event” for the future. You could lead the way ?
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@TheMadman_tobyjenner Many thanks, Toby, for proposing a First Timers only open mic night. This is the push I need to put myself in the spotlight 
I have been posting videos regularly on the BLIM2 community forum and I will ensure I post a video or two in the general AVOYP community over the coming weeks to meet all the First Timer criteria. No singing from me but I should be able to put something together to play on my own or along to a backing track.
The OM events I have attended since February have been excellent and signing up to give a performance of my own has been one of my goals since starting BLIM2.
I will look out for the formal registration notice in due course but this looks like it will be the OM I move from audience member to performer 
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Well thought about Toby 
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Great idea Toby!
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What a great idea to organise a First Timers Only OM.
I think about participating although I’ll be terribly nervous, but maybe with other first timers it will be okay 
Will the sign-up link be published here?
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Ursula
Thanks for expressing an interest.
There will be JGC Open Mic 32 Call For Interest (CFI) about 6 weeks before the show date.
For details see the latest CFI for OM31 that was posted a few hours after this one. The criteria for the First Timers will be the same. But the early warning also serves to allow folks to meet that criteria before the CFI goes out.
You and everyone will have similar feelings and there will be nothing but encouragement, appreciation and applause for stepping up as a debutante performer.
Go for it.
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