Kevin Chisnell: Mojo Bluesman

So, what is Mojo Saturday Night, and what’s it like to be the host?

Mojo Saturday Night is the region’s only monthly blues revue in a “listening room” setting. It takes place at The Gateway on the third Saturday of every month. It is a great show with local, regional and national blues artists ranging from solo acoustic to six- or seven-piece bands. There are two or three blues acts every month and the show runs from 8 to 10ish. An excellent selection of wine and beer are available and the room is set in a small theater/lounge-quasi-semi-unique-kind-of-a-stage-room-thing! The sound and stage are absolutely pro, with my man Chris Wray at the helm. The very coolest thing is… these shows are run by some very generous people in our community: the volunteers! We always have great volunteers and a great audience. I love to hear them clap and see them smile! That, is why we do what we do!

As host (and part-time producer), I get to work hard, spend a lot of time worrying about the next and all the future shows, who am I going to get next, how do I get ahold of so and so! But, I reap the benefit of hanging with the bands – as well as talking to the audience and taking my monthly place where I am able to ham it up behind the mike. I usually have to endure a bad joke from Clair Myers, the Executive Director of the Wayne Theater Alliance, but then I get to listen to (and sometimes sit in with) some really awesome talent. Besides, the groans only last until that first band steps on the stage and I announce, “Please give a warm Mojo Saturday Night welcome to…”

Next… “What’s Next?”

More at www.WTAGateway.com.