Thanks mate. I appreciate that a lot. It's been a hard adjustment on many levels, but I feel it's a sacrifice worth making in the early years of my kids life. To make a living from being a live musician, I have to tour and that takes me away from my family for long bouts of time. I just can't be away and miss my children's early life.

And, yeah, if I had even caught a slight whiff of 'competition' in Open Mic I would've not wanted to be involved as I feel it would've tainted my art and other people's art too.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
I feel that Open Mic maintains a great level of integrity.

Be well @andrewdaines!