Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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Part time student Tony Buckner plays accompaining guitar for vocalist Bryson Robbins. 2001 alumnus. Open Mic Night gives the opportunity for people stuck in the Top-40 of their genre to hear music that hasn ' t been heard, Buckner said. My personal dream is to be driving down the road and turn on the radio and hear a song that ' s mine. (Photo by Matt Stamey) Performing alternative country songs, Trevor Burgess, senior in journalism and mass communica- tions, and Jared Gile, senior in biology play at O ' Malley ' s Alley. Their style is known as red dirt Texas music. Open Mic Night attracted people with good morals and ethics to spread the message of music, Manhat- tan resident Talon Hetchens said. (Photo by Matt Stamey) fusion defined 27

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NOTING MUSICIANS Diverse array of talent shown at O ' Malley ' s Open Mic Night By Lindsay Porter Blue and pink backlighting and a string of garland lights created a club-like atmosphere for Open Mic Night at O ' Malley ' s Alley. Every Wednesday students could visit O ' Malley ' s back porch to experience original songs performed by local musicians. ' Mere wasn ' t a good local music scene, Tony Buckner, part-time student, said. People had to go out of town if they wanted to play. This brought people out. During spring 2001 an Open Mic Night was co-started by Buckner at Pat ' s Blue Rib ' n Barbeque for Manhattan bands to perform. Buckner started the Open Mic Night at O ' Malley ' s in May. We moved from Pat ' s because I wanted all acoustic (guitars). One of the reasons we didn ' t allow electric guitars here was the city noise ordinance after 11 p.m. We have played up to 1:30 a.m. with no noise complaints. The back porch created a unique musical environment for O ' Malley ' s. Talon Hetchens, Manhattan resident, said bringing people together to share everything about music was a good idea for the community People are exposed to more culture, Bryson Robbins. 2001 alumnus, said. it had been a while since music had really been around here. Diversity in music is good to have. Buckner said he had seen 19 different performers over the summer. Only six had previous experience performing in front of an audience. The purpose of Open Mic Night was to spread the message of music, Hetchens said. It really allowed people who were shy or closed in to express a side of themselves people don ' t normally get to see. Buckner started a policy, prohibiting booing or catcalls because he wanted everyone to show support for the performers. Open Mic Night gave people from Manhattan who didn ' t want to be in a band a chance to play their music, Buckner said. ' A lot of good stuff came out of the woodwork. Buckner said he intended for other performers to come out to O ' Malley ' s. Open Mic Night was not only for musicians but literatywriters as well. He planned to establish a relationship with the K-State English department to attract more writers. I hoped to have poets and storytellers, he said. I am more of a writer than performer. I wanted to tap into different talents that have never been heard. I think people are ready for fresh songwriters. Open Mic Night gives people a ch ance to experience something real and original. Feathers adorn the nut of Gile ' s guitar. Open Mk Night brings a greater sense of diversity, Manhattan resident Stephan Keith said. O ' Malleys is a great place for music. Who knows, we could make the next Van Haden out of Manhattan. (Photo by Matt Stamey) Cover songs from Great Divide and Pat Green along with a few original works dominated Burgess and Gilet playlist. O ' Malley ' s is a place to play, owner of O ' Krtalkrys Alley, Tim Wart said. Musicans come here to play and have people hear them. We ' ve drawn big crowds every Wednesday because of it. (Photo by Matt Stamey) 26 Student Life

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Forming the base of the cake pyramid stunt. Jason Dye, sophomore in civil engineering. Eric Sheetin, senior in marketing and international business, and Manuel Sumaya, junior in pre- psychology support three other yell leaders standing on their shoulders. (Photo by Kelly Glasscock)