I recall someone saying in another thread that most Open Mics are governed by a select few regular performers, and that seems to be the case here as well...

After the opening band had played, some of the non-musicians came over to me while I was sitting with my gig-bag, and actually tried to hep me build up the courage to go up on the tiny stage alone. One of them even sat down for an hour or so, and just talked about all kinds of things, mostly how the absense of "proper" music has nearly ruined the Open Jam nights. The audience wants to hear Classic Rock, but nobody plays that kind of stuff at the Open Jams anymore, because Classic Rock simply is too popular in this town, so the bands who used to play Classic Rock started to get a fanbase, started booking gigs, made money and stopped playing for free at Open Jam nights, leaving only a sorry excuse for a Thrash Metal cover-band who plays every single time despite nobody wanting to hear them.

In fact, it's been almost two years since last time anyone played Classic Rock at that venue's Open Jam nights, so the only ones who actually still come are either staff, optimists, the Thrash Metal cover-band or people who don't want to pay more than 2$ for a beer... And then there was me, completely new to it, didn't know anyone, but after I mentioned that I like and play Classic Rock, people started becoming all friendly and supportive... If I could redo one decision I've made in the last 72 hours, I would probably choose that one. But, as one of the supporters said, it's okay if I don't go up there the first time. I can try again next time, and maybe be a bit more prepared then, and when I'm ready to take the leap of faith, they won't judge me.

I know I shouldn't be losing sleep over this, but somehow, I still am... Maybe next time they have an Open Jam night, I can be a bit more mentally prepared. At least, now I have a better idea of how it works, so something good did come out of it, even if it's not much...