MT. MORRIS — An exciting new musical concept, launched last month, is taking place at the Mt. Morris Moose Family Center [485 E Hitt St (GPS Physical Address)] will on the third Friday of each month.  
Scheduled dates for the 2018 season are May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16 and a  2019 Christmas Finale on Dec. 21.
The Songwriters Open Mic produced by Jerry Tice of the renowned Mountain Grass Band and co-hosted by star performer Ruth Ann Lillstrom will showcase original musical or lyrical compositions performed by the creating artist. There are no covers and no accompanyist. All material must be family friendly.

Each performer gets two songs and no more than 10 minutes.  Sound is provided, but no complicated set-ups or processors. Each event will run from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Performer check-in is 6:30 p.m. Performance order will be drawn at 6:50 p.m.
The April inaugural show got off to a rousing start with first artist - first original composition by Jim Henkel and The Legend of Leo.  Leo Mongovan was from Jim’s hometown of Harmon, a small Northern Illinois farming town.  
In the depression era he went to Chicago and became a part of the Bugs Moran Gang. Somehow he survived the gang wars (St. Valentine’s Day Massacre for example) and returned to Harmon to live out his life as a farmer. As Henkel’s well received song describes, “He always kept his back to the wall.”
The Mt. Morris Moose Family Center has an extensive menu of food and beverage so arrive hungry and thirsty and ready for original music.
Details are available from Jerry Tice at 815-449-2660.