Hi John. There is a huge scene here for indie bands who mostly play original music. There is also a pub/club scene where bands are expected to play dance or rock covers mostly sixties and seventies. These two scenes are very seperate and few bands cross over. We do have open mic events but they do not attract many solo artists singing original stuff. It is more like a jam session where experienced bands get to play cover songs with each other. It is interesting and sometimes challenging as you sometimes have to play a song you do not know very well with a band line up you have never played with. Most folk who participate are very accomplished players who can adapt and busk. We do not really have an amateur night and very little country or acoustic music is ever played. So you maybe can see how my opinions and experiences are slightly different from yours. Pro bands can work a few times a week and earn reasonable cash from playing covers. It is a living. In past lives I have played original stuff and made a few recordings with bands some have made it into the big time some have not. At present due to contractual issues it is difficult for me to produce original music without it being "stolen". However come 2008 things change as contracts run out so here is hoping I can start writing again without FEAR OR hinderance.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=687727&songID=5238055