The past few days have been really intense for me. So many things I love seem to be slipping away... like my beloved Bar4. It's officially been a year since I moved to NYC and not long after I stumbled across this Bar in my neighborhood and fell in love with it's open Mic.   For years, I had the goal of committing to an open Mic, going every week. I've always known it would help my songwriting tremendously to have a reason to compose other than gigs that I can get away with covers or old songs. Also, the idea of playing for an audience consisting of Mainly singer songwriters can really motivate to step up your game. Especially true when the quality of the other songwriters is that of what I heard at Bar4. Amazing musicians, Amazing Music. And amazing such a spirit of support and sharing and kindness. Not only did this place not have that competitive feel that pervades most open mics and jazz jams, but they had a beautiful, black upright that was pretty much in tune:)

I spent every tuesday night there, for close to a year, and let me tell you, it did more for my songwriting than I could have ever hoped for.  And in addition, I met true friends. Some say the first year in NYC is the loneliest. If this is true, then Bar4 did so much for me, because I have never felt more accepted and loved by a social organization that I have there. I'm sad that it's closing, but more so I feel so lucky that I stumbled upon it before it was gone. I count my lucky stars! And send the warmest love and wishes to everyone who touched my heart there. I'll never be the same, as a musician, nor as a human.