Home      News      Songs      Albums      Notes      Events      Contact      Photos      Guestbook Roger Nelson Amateur March 12, 2006 Lately I've been enjoying the home-spun, hand-made quality of open mics, jam sessions, and home recordings. Especially when people are not trying so hard to be polished and professional, but instead are working towards honesty and passion. I'm convinced that this is the quality that leads to great art. Innate talent, discipline, and good luck, of course have their place too. But an honest passion is the thing that drives it. You know, an "amateur" is one who loves what s/he is doing. If you get a chance, go to the open mic at Crossings at Carnegie, in Zumbrota. They have an interesting mix of poets and musicians. It's a very supportive atmosphere, and you get to hear both finished pieces, and, often, works in progress - spoken or sung by the author.