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Posts Tagged ‘live music’

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Open Mic Night

In Environment, Health, Local News, Opinion, Uncategorized on June 9, 2025 at 8:22 am

Deer In Headlines II

By Gery Deer

It takes a special kind of bravery to step onto a stage, armed with nothing but your talent and a willingness to bare your soul to strangers. Open mic nights embody this raw courage, where artists of all kinds—musicians, poets, comedians—challenge themselves not only to be heard but to connect. To say they are anything less than extraordinary would be missing the heart of the matter entirely.

As I write this, I’m sitting with my brother and cousin after just stepping off the stage at Plain Folk Café in Pleasant Plain, Ohio. My family group, The Brothers & Co., which now consists of my older brother and our cousin, has been performing together for over 30 years. We’ve played at casinos, festivals, theaters, just about everywhere – as professional entertainment.  But I’d never experienced an open mic event until my cousin invited us to go as a group. He was a regular here, receiving a very “Cheers” like welcome from fellow performers when we arrived.

Every Thursday night since 2012, performers and patrons alike enjoy good food and entertainment, and the stage isn’t just a platform; it’s a crucible where artistry takes shape. The sign-in sheet, held aloft by a sombrero-wearing ceramic frog, sets the tone: quirky, welcoming, and uniquely communal. Each participant scribbles their name with a mix of anticipation and trepidation, knowing they’re stepping into an unfiltered arena. Some are regulars, others are first-timers, all are committed.

The pull of an open mic is multifaceted. For some, it’s a chance to test new material, an incubator for ideas that might someday grow into greatness. Writers spend hours pouring their souls into words; musicians craft melodies that echo with personal truths. They arrive not knowing whether their work will elicit applause, laughter, or silence—but they come anyway, driven by the need to express and improve.

Then there’s the process itself—learning not just to perfect the art, but to perform it before a living, breathing audience. Open mic performers are incredibly brave, hoping their work connects with even one person in the crowd. That’s where the beauty lies: that vulnerability becomes their strength. It’s almost a superpower, one which, for all my professional experience, can’t comprehend.

Gary Deer Jr and Gery Deer, two of the trio, The Brothers & Co., watch other performers on stage at Plain Folk Cafe.

The first time I was on stage, I was in first grade, doing a ventriloquist act in my elementary school talent show. I had studied the art for a year or so, and my mom thought I might like to show people. I agreed, and the next thing I knew, I was smack in the spotlight of the ultimate open mic set — me, a ventriloquist dummy, 250 schoolmates, teachers, and parents.

One joke, a laugh; another, some applause, and, at the end, I won first prize for my grade. That moment led to a lifetime of performing in front of audiences, from lecturing and emcee work to appearances at hometown festivals and on national TV. Yet, with all that, I can’t fathom getting up there alone, week after week, in front of a cafe full of patrons and performers. It requires a very different kind of courage.

Open mic nights strip away the barriers between artist and audience. Whether it’s a musician pouring their soul into an original ballad or a comic braving the silence between punchlines, the essence of their art is laid bare. Every strum of a guitar or carefully penned word reveals hours of effort, doubt, and hope. It’s humanity, distilled.

Most importantly, these evenings foster connection. In the glow of the stage lights, an unspoken camaraderie develops among performers and listeners alike. The applause isn’t just polite acknowledgment; it’s a collective celebration of effort and heart. That shared experience is what makes open mic nights so much more than casual entertainment—they’re gatherings where creativity finds its voice and its audience.

If you’ve never been to an open mic event, I urge you to go, not as a critic, but as a witness to the raw courage and artistry on display. You may not love every performance, but you will leave with a renewed appreciation for the grit it takes to share oneself so openly, and for all the creative souls who fearlessly challenge themselves week after week.

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To learn more about The Brothers & Co. Entertainers or Plain Folk Cafe, visit them on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/TheBrothersandCo

https://www.facebook.com/plainfolklive

The Brothers & Co. Bus, NOAH'S ARK
The Brothers & Co. Bus served the group when it was a quartet traveling around the region to perform variety and music shows at festivals, theatres, and resorts. It has since been retired.

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My “Piano Man” Days

In Dayton Ohio News, Entertainment, Music, Opinion, Uncategorized on June 7, 2024 at 8:10 am

Deer In Headlines II
By Gery Deer

“It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday. The regular crowd shuffles in.” Those are the first lines of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” a song that always transports me back to my college days. To help pay for school, I was the pianist at a small Italian restaurant. Even in the 80s, it was old-fashioned, with one large room outlined by raised booths along the walls and a few floor tables in the middle. The decor was, what’s the word, beige. Yep, a lot of beige. Or was it brown? It’s tough to be sure because the lighting was pretty low.

Every Friday and Saturday evening, for about three hours, I performed all instrumentals on a small studio upright. I was like a live Muzak machine without the lyrics. I. Did. Not. Sing. Period. No one would have wanted to hear that. You might as well go outside and toss an alley cat into an upright trash can for that cacophony.

I had a repertoire of about 250 pieces, mostly pop and oldies, but I tossed in the occasional classical number just to show off. A quiet tinkling of “Fur Elise” goes particularly well with linguini, and the leg of lamb begged delivery of Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze.” I can’t read music, so everything was by ear. I memorized each song pretty much the first time it fell from my ear to my hands. Regulars would often bring a tape of some song they wanted me to play, and I’d learn it before their next visit.

“Piano Man” Gery Deer, performing for a holiday event at Sinclair Community College in 1988.

Once in a while, I’d break out the occasional show tune. On slower nights, I’d rearrange some old TV show theme song into a long, drawn-out ballad. You should hear my dramatic rendition of “Gilligan’s Island” at half speed with Liberace-esque flourishes. People would ask if it was some rare piece by Rubinstein or Mozart. I’d reply, “Oh, no. It’s an original by Schwartz (Sherwood, that is – go look it up).

Playing in a restaurant isn’t all tickling the ivories and clever combinations of sets. It’s more about the people. Unlike a “piano bar” or dueling pianos show, restaurant performances are more atmosphere than anything else. Still, although I got paid for my hours on the bench, my livelihood really depended on tips.

Depending on the traffic, my available talent that evening, and the generosity of the customers, I could have a forty-dollar or four-hundred-dollar night. The latter required some people skills. I was unable to respond with more than a smile or nod when someone tipped me while I was playing. So, I’d take a break at my first opportunity and walk over to their table to thank them.

Here’s a secret about restaurant or bar piano players. We are always watching you. No, I didn’t care what you ordered. I never gave a thought to how stingy you were about tipping the waitstaff after spending a ridiculous amount on too many bottles of cheap wine. Nor did it matter to me that your date’s dress was so short your wife would certainly have disapproved.

No, I was studying my audience’s reaction. It was gratifying when people clearly enjoyed my work and that it added to their evening experience. If a table was paying particular attention to one kind of music, I’d adjust my set list accordingly. More often than not, a request or early tip came from one of those parties, generally the lady of the table. I think the guys were embarrassed to come up to me. I have no idea why.

During my three years there, I also learned a great deal about human behavior. Restaurants only provide a two-dimensional view of human interaction, but it’s alive with celebrations, sadness, gluttony, and togetherness.

I was very young then, so I also learned a lot about myself, particularly that I was more introverted than I’d ever realized. I’d like to think my music always improved someone’s day and that it still does. At least, I hope so.

If a street or restaurant musician ever makes your day just a little brighter, please take time to tell them so and drop a few bucks in their jar. You’ll make their day and yours, too.

CHECK OUT THE PODCAST FOR THIS EDITION.

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Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce presents, “Bourbon & Blues,” April 8, at The Mall at Fairfield Commons

In Local News on March 31, 2022 at 9:55 am

The Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce proudly presents, “Bourbon & Blues” from 6 – 9 PM on Friday, April 8, 2022, at The Mall at Fairfield Commons (2727 Fairfield Cmns, Beavercreek, OH 45431). The event is open to the public and is located on the upper level of the former Elder-Beerman storefront, on the northwest side of the mall. Tickets are $30 for chamber members and $40 for non-members and are available by scanning the QR code included with this article, or from the chamber’s website, www.beavercreekchamber.org/bourbon-blues. All proceeds and generous support by, “Blues Sponsor,” Wesbanco, and, “Supporting Sponsor,” Tru by Hilton, support the Beavercreek Chamber’s ongoing community initiatives.

Bourbon & Blues is a bourbon-tasting event full of great food, entertainment, and prizes. It will feature bourbon tastings from Indian Creek Distillery, delicious appetizers from local restaurants including Casa Nunez, Melt, and Flyby BBQ, and desserts provided by Nothing Bundt Cakes and Church Street Cookies. Additional beverages will be available as well, courtesy of BJ’s Brewhouse.

Other entertainment includes a painting performance by Raise Your Brush and chances to win some great raffle prizes. Local vendors will also be there showcasing a variety of area products and services.  

For more information, contact Wendy Rodgers or Chris McClure at the Chamber office at (937) 426-2202 or info@beavercreekchamber.org.

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Jamestown music group dazzles the BellHOP Cafe

In Children and Family, Entertainment, Food, Local News, Theatre, Uncategorized on March 3, 2014 at 5:27 am

The Brothers & Co. at the BellHOP Cafe.

The Brothers & Co. at the BellHOP Cafe.

BELLBROOK, OH – As part of their whistle-stop tour of the Miami Valley, The Brothers & Co. Variety Show appeared last Saturday at Bellbrook’s,  BellHOP Café. The show really started with the arrival of the group’s tour bus, which somewhat dwarfed the venue. The 40-foot, Silver Eagle coach has been restored over time to suit this unique group’s style of family and fun.

Playing to nearly a full house, The Brothers & Co. featured four-part vocals by pianist Gery L. Deer, bass player Jim Karns, guitar and banjo man Ed Jones and percussionist Gary Deer Jr., all in matching black, western outfits. They covered songs by George Jones, John Denver and their main inspiration, The Statler Brothers, as well as their comedy original, “Bingo Night,” and Ed Jones’ ballad, “Sweet Days.”

IMG_6759The Brothers & Co. Entertainers are an Americana act started in 1995 and best known for their 1960s variety show style and family-friendly content. Each show features covers of The Statler Brothers, The Monkees, John Denver, and George Jones as well as many original pieces.

This performance celebrated a particular milestone for The Brothers & Co., celebrating their 18th year on stage alongside the recovery of their bass singer, Jim Karns, who suffered a serious health scare in early February.

Gery Deer (left) and Jim Karns entertain with "Comagic," comedy magic routines during the Brothers show.

Gery Deer (left) and Jim Karns entertain with “Comagic,” comedy magic routines during the Brothers show.

“We put a modern spin on an old kind of entertainment that’s nostalgic and originally presented all at the same time,” said Karns, who joined the group in 2004, also providing comedy and magic. “If you’ve never seen a live variety show, this is something the whole family will really enjoy.”

The show’s manager would like to hear from local venues interested in hosting a Brothers & Co. performance in the coming months. Contact information, photos ,video clips of the show and more are all available at the group’s website, www.thebrothersandcompany.com.

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Free show by The Brothers & Co. May 18 at Beavercreek cafe

In Entertainment, Food, Local News, Theatre, Uncategorized on May 1, 2013 at 9:07 am

Gery Deer, Jim Karns, Ed Jones and Gary Deer Jr - The Brothers & Co. Entertainers! (Photo by Debra Bays)

Gery Deer, Jim Karns, Ed Jones and Gary Deer Jr – The Brothers & Co. Entertainers! (Photo by Debra Bays)

BEAVERCREEK, OH – Music and variety group, The Brothers & Co., will present a free and unusually casual performance beginning at 7PM on Saturday May 18 at 4 Starters Coffee Café in Beavercreek. The two-hour show features classic country and oldies in four-part vocals, as well as comedy variety routines and much more.

The Brothers & Co. began in 1995 and, over the years, became a complete stage show with full instrumentation, variety acts and, what they call, “Commagic™” (Comedy Magic) routines. Best known for updated versions of The Statler Brothers classics, their repertoire also includes covers of country and oldies including Merle Haggard, John Denver and the late George Jones as well as many original pieces.

Usually, their show features piano, guitars, percussion and saxophone instrumentation. But for this performance, “The Boys in Black,” will be doing a more laid back show, without their traditional western costumes and only acoustic accompaniment by member Ed Jones. Vocalist, pianist Gery Deer will add harmonica to some sets as well.

“If you’ve ever seen The Statler Brothers, they’re almost as good as we are,” jokes Gary Deer, Jr., percussionist of the group. “Mostly, we want to entertain people and give them a show like most haven’t seen since the 60’s.” The show may seem retro, but the guys insist it is not just for the older generation.

“We put a modern spin on an old kind of entertainment that’s nostalgic and originally presented all at the same time,” offers bass singer, magician and the most recent addition to the quartet, Jim Karns. “If you’ve never seen a live variety show, this will be just a taste of what our big show has to offer and something the whole family will really enjoy.”

Located at 2495 Commons Blvd., tucked quietly behind LaRosa’s Pizzaria, 4Starters Coffee Café is a hidden gem of Greene County. The family-owned shop offers gourmet coffees, soups, sandwiches, specialty dishes and a selection of fine wines. Musical performances and wine tasting events are featured weekly.

The show is free and open to the public. For more information go online to http://www.thebrothersandcompany.com.

 

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