Is It O.K. To Throw F-Bombs at Open-Mic Venues?

I am a song-writer. Throughout my life, I have written well over a hundred songs. As a song-writer (it takes one to know), when the time comes to write a song, the moment is impossible to ignore.

You could be walking down the street on your way to get a soda at the local 7-11 or relieving yourself in the men's room at the corner gas station, just minding your own affairs, when...BOOM! It hits you like a brick upside your melon. These words, or maybe just some catchy, little melody, start pouring into your head.

Unavoidable. It's like listening to a distant, radio broadcast from two states away while driving through a grading, mountain range. As soon as you get over that next ravine the static begins to dissipate and the broadcast comes in gradually clearer. Little by little, you are able to hear the entire message.

By the time you get to the store counter to pay for your soda or get done in the men's room finished with whatever you're doing, you have nearly half of a song written in your head. Now, if I only had a pencil and a piece of paper!

Fellow song-writers can relate and know that this situation happens quite often. It is entrancing, seemingly crazy, and sometimes a nuisance. You have to spend a lot of time inside your own head and there are moments when (even though they are shining oh, so bright) it seems like-wow!-the lights are on but, nobody is home...heh...heh...heh. So other people (you know, the people you hang out with, your friends, the one's who call you names behind your back like "different", "peculiar", and/or "eccentric") don't get the wrong impression, a lot of alone time is required. Just one of the many burdens of a day in the life of a song-writer.

Another song-writer's burden, mammoth in proportion, the biggest obstacle of all, is definitely, the task of getting recognized and noticed. Out of all the songs I've written, I know in my own heart, that nearly half of them are radio hits. I have this one song I wrote called "BFW" that gets requested every time I play open-mic. People like it! I remember a night when I was doing 4 songs.

It was a slow night so performers were allowed more play time. I started the set with "BFW" and just finished my third song when this lady ran up to the stage and asked me to play "BFW". I told her that had I played that song already. She replied that she had just got there so she didn't have a chance to hear it. I told her it was too bad, I don't play the same songs twice, that she should have got here earlier...just kidding! Of course, I played the damn song again. It's a good song!

Many song-writers (or even, writer's in general) choose a path, a genre if you will, and spend most of their hand cramping lives writing material to fit a specific category. Some examples: A country-style, song writer will, most likely, write only country-style music. Rock-writers do not, usually, decide to start writing R&B songs. Stephen King writes horror novels and Bob Costas is a sports writer/commentator.

Expanding my own horizons, I have dabbled in many of the numerous genre's of music, I've written a plethora of articles on many different subjects, sports blogs, and am, presently, working on an autobiography titled "The Book of Michael". I enjoy writing. I feel it is the second best thing I do.

Anyway, back to the music and to the main reason I am writing this blog. There are a few songs that I've written that do not fit in the rated "G" category. In fact, there are a few that don't, even, belong in the "PG" category. In other words, I've written some songs that certain folks may find offensive or that may be (that is) unsuitable for kids to listen to.

As an adult, I know, when you are playing open mic and there are children present, some songs are strictly forbidden. You can't throw F-bombs at the kids. My question is: If you are doing a show at some roadside bar, between the hours of 8pm and 11pm, where alcohol and lewd behavior (maybe even a booby-shot) is present and acceptable, is it also acceptable to play, let's call it..."R" rated music?

If I was doing a comedy act, nearly every expletive available would be at my disposal and gratefully accepted. I could put up my middle finger and yell, "**** you!" and the eager crowd would love it! "More! More! More!" they would chant! I feel that as song-writers, as well as performers, we deserve equal play time along with the same amount of gratitude and respect. It is hard, dang work being a performer! Hard work!

Among the countless songs that I've written, there is one called "The Whore". It is, somewhat, of a raunchy, vulgar, and hard-core style of song about my feelings for one of my ex's but, I believe the song is good and, from time to time, it should be played.

What is your opinion? Is it alright to play music that, perhaps, might offend someone? Please let me know what you think about this troublesome predicament.

Until next time...

-Michael L. Wilson