Mike Miller was a surprise at the December 2005 Open Mic. He came all the way from Tennessee to Illinois and blessed us with a few Christmas songs and carols after the event. His music is truly emotionally compelling and expertly performed.

Downloads for Mike Miller

• Mike Miller - All I Really Want (original)
• Mike Miller - She's Mine (original)

The young aspiring artist Donnie Hall performed at both the first and second open mics. Donnie has a web site and refuses to let anyone pay money for his music, a policy I truly respect!

Downloads for Donnie Hall

• Donnie Hall - 20 Minutes (original)
• Donnie Hall - Crazy (original)
• Donnie Hall - Gigantor (original)
• Donnie Hall - Jimmie Cox - Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
• Donnie Hall - The Reading Rainbow

Downloads for Donnie and Turbo

• Donnie and Turbo - Sound Check (original)
• Donnie and Turbo - Can You Hear Me (original)
• Donnie and Turbo - Lay it on the Line (original)
• Donnie and Turbo - No Shame (original)

If anyone has heard Jim Brickman before, they'll want to listen to Nate - he can give him a run for his money without a doubt. I managed to ask Nate to play on the fly at the end of our third open mic, and found it was one of the most incredible performances we heard - he composed everything himself.

Downloads for Nate Himes

• Nate Himes - Untitled (original)
• Nate Himes - Julia's Song (original)

Also from the December 2005 Open Mic - In keeping with the season Nick and Mike played some traditional Christmas music with a bit of a jazz twist. Nick and friends will be putting together a number of songs in a premiere album soon.

Downloads for Nick Donaldson and Mike Knepper

• Nick Donaldson and Mike Knepper - The Christmas Song
• Nick Donaldson and Mike Knepper - Oh Christmas Tree

So Ben and I think his voice is a bit of an offshoot of the lead singer of Sister Hazel - Pat was with us for every single open mic show. He has a whole slew of songs memorized, and a colorful bitter-sweet past that has served as an inspiration to write. Some of his best songs can be heard below.

Downloads for Pat Cramer

• Pat Cramer - A Rose Without Petals (original)
• Pat Cramer - Drinking You Away (original)
• Pat Cramer - Sarge - The First Morning
• Pat Cramer - Damien Rice - Delicate
• Pat Cramer - Foo Fighters - Everlong
• Pat Cramer - Dashboard Confessional - Hands Down

I'm pretty sure Moto can engage bullet time (like in the Matrix) when he's playing his Ukulele... because he moves faster than your average road runner. A Hawain native and authentic Snyder resident Darek's amazing powers of four stringed 'jumping flea' can be heard below.

Downloads for Pat Cramer

• Darek Kawamoto - Honolulu
• Darek Kawamoto - Jo Bim - Wave
• Darek Kawamoto - Mancini - Baby Elephant Walk
• Darek Kawamoto - Uematsu - Chocobo Song
• Darek Kawamoto - Lover Video (mpg file check it out!)

Our fearless leader and president... is a less than adequet title. Helping the hall go round (in circles) was only one of the many things Sean brought to Snyder. He's a talented musican, great friend, and an individual with both passion and vision. He has a great ability to empower people and give back to just about any community he's involved in. His work can be heard below.

Downloads for Sean Sartell

• Sean Sartell - Ben Gibbard - Carolina
• Sean Sartell - Ben Kweller - Lizzy
• Sean Sartell - Decemberists - Red Right Ankle
• Sean Sartell - Pedro the Lion - Of Minor Prophets And Their Prostitute Wives
• Sean Sartell - The Shins cover The Postal Service - We Will Become Silhouettes
• Sean Sartell - Wilco - At Least That's What You Said

A sampling of the best work by some of the others who played at Open Mic is below. Once again, you can see a full listing on the Avalanche web site and send requests to me for items not listed here.

• John Gill - Jazz Piano
• Carl Hauck - Untitled (original)
• Christina Armstrong - Ribbons in the Sky (original)
• Jen Costello - Perspective (original poetry)
• Jen Costello - Capturing the Heart (original poetry)
• Dave Durham - Ludwig Van Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata
• Andres Tack and Dave Durham - Eric Satie - Gymnopedi #2
• Chris Walker - Steven Lynch - Superhero
• Chris Walker - Blink (original)
• Jeff Ng - Angel Sang - All My Days
• Tbox - Sand Castle (original)
• Tbox - Resurrection (original)
• Sean and Liz - Sufya Sun - To Cater
• Steve Bromell - Bob Dylan - House of the Rising Sun
• Steve Bromell - Dave Matthews - So Much To Say
• Steve Bromell - Weezer - The Sweater Song
• Matt Wageman - I Miss You (original)
• Matt Wageman - Louie (original)
• Jon Jocson - Howie Day - Collide
• Ben Rathert - Johnny Cash - Hurt