This article appeared on Thursday, April 5, 2007 “We play both secular and Christian music. … There is more variety than I thought there would be.” John Fluharty Open Mic Nite For All Voices Becki Hedrick of Wheeling takes advantage of Open Mic Nite Vineyard Café event taking off By Annie DeGENOVA Staff Writer It was an experiment that took several years to get off the ground, but John Fluharty knew what he wanted. Now, Open Mic Nite at the Vineyard Café in Wheeling is in its ninth week, and the leader of the project says so far so good. “Attendance has been up and down,” Fluharty said. The first three weeks we averaged about 17 people. In the last three weeks we have averaged 32 people with the largest attendance of 43 last week. Some of our best nights have been when we have had less than 20 people. Some people had the courage to get up in front of a dozen people that would not have done so with a larger audience.” Open Mic Nite kicked off on January 30 featuring eight performers. Since then, 33 musicians have come from all over the area playing both Christian and secular music at the café, which is part of the Vineyard Church, located at 135 Waddles Run Road, Wheeling. Concerts have always been a staple at the church, but when seniors pastor, John Rasz, gave a sermon about forming special interest groups last November, an idea to take the music further came about and was earlier inspired by a book. “Scott Hedrick, who has been in charge of concerts at the Vineyard over the years and I have talked about it but for year or so but nothing came of it.” Fluharty said. “The Vineyard then started a class called 40 Days of Purpose. It used a book written by Rick Warren. It told a parable about three men who were given money (talents) by their master.” Two of the men used their talents and made a profit, and the master was pleased. He was displeased, however, with the one who buried his talent. “Spiritually I felt I was the one who buried his talent,” Fluharty said. “So two years ago I decided I have very little talent but what I had I was going to develop. I had an acoustical guitar so I started practicing and started playing out. They had an open mic in some bars in Follansbee, so I went there for awhile, I liked what I saw.” He, along with Chris Figaretti, Scott Hedrick and a few others, began working on the idea for an open microphone setting. Several months later the dream became a reality. “The orginal commitment was for 12 weeks but everyone has agreed on making Open Mic Nite an ongoing thing,” he said. “We have coffee, tea, cappuccino, hot chocolate, soft drinks and snacks. We charge 50 cents for drinks, salty snacks, cookies and candy, etc.” And it’s not just Christian music. There’s something for every music lover. “We play both secular and Christian music. Songs from the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Larry Norman, the Beach Boys, Dwight Yoakam, Lamb, Bach, the Animals, Garth Brooks, Bob Seger, etc. There is more variety than I thought there would be,” he said

Article Appeared in TGIF section on Friday, February 16, 2007

Open Mic Nite @ The Vineyard Cafe
David and Margie Warren of Wheeling are two of the talented entertainers who have performed at Open Mic Nite @ The Vineyard Cafe, held from 7-10 p.m. Tuesdays at the Vineyard Church, 135 Waddles Run Road, Wheeling. Open Mic was formed to give aspiring musicians a venue to showcase their talents. Anyone who just likes to sit back and listen to live music is welcome to attend. For information visit the Web site at www.vineyard.com.

Article appeared in print on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 and also on the Web Site

MUSICAL VARIETY – Follansbee resident John Fluharty, left, came up with the idea of having an open mic night, featuring secular and Christian music performed by area musicians. At right is one of the local musicians, Sarah Coffey, of Wheeling, playing mandolin.

Musicians jam during 'Open Mic Nite' Performers - David and Margie Warren, of Wheeling, performed at the Vineyard Cafe's 'Open Mic Nite,' held every Tuesday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Vineyard Church in Wheeling. There has been a variety of music performed so far during “Open Mic Nite” at The Vineyard Cafe. The “Open Mic Nite” was brought about when John Rasz, senior pastor at the Vineyard Church of Wheeling, gave a sermon on forming small groups based on special interests. Ideas included: bowling, hiking, cycling and other activities. John Fluharty submitted the idea of having an open mic, featuring both secular and Christian music. The kickoff was Jan. 30. The events now are into their third week. As open mic cafe leader, Fluharty, a computer repair teacher in Brooke County Schools, will retire in June after 39 years of teaching. The coffee house is his answer to what he is going to do after he retires. “Open Mic Nite” at The Vineyard Cafe is held every Tuesday, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Vineyard Church, 135 Waddles Run Road, Wheeling. Local and regional musicians may attend and perform both secular and contemporary Christian music. Those who enjoy listening to live music are welcome to attend “Open Mic Nite.” There is no cover charge. The Vineyard features Starbuck’s coffee, teas, cappuccino, soft drinks and snacks. For more information, visit the Web site www.vineyard-cafe.com.

Article Appeared in TGIF section on Friday, January 26, 2007

Share your talent with others on 'Open Mic Nite @ The Vineyard Cafe' from 7-10 p.m. every Tuesday starting Jan. 30. Just show up, sign up, tune up and jam. Singles get to do two or three songs and groups can do three or four songs each round, depending on the length of the signup list. Forget your amplifier and just plug into the system at the venue. Keyboards, drums and congas are available, too. If you don't play or sing, come on in and relax to an evening of live music. Refreshments will be available.

Article appeared in print on Feb 26, 2007 and also on the Web Site

Share your talent with others on “Open Mic Nite” @ The Vineyard Cafe every Tuesday, from 7 to 10 p.m. The event is held at the Vineyard Church of Wheeling, 135 Waddles Run Road. The event works on a first come first play basis. It is open to both experienced and novice performers. We are especially interested in giving novice performers a place to showcase their talents. The number of songs an artist/group can perform each round depends on the length of the sign-up list. Amplifiers are not needed since musicians can plug in instruments to the cafe’s system. Keyboards, drums and congas are on stage. Those who don’t play or sing are invited to attend and relax to an evening of live music, featuring a mix of both secular, including rock, blues, country, blue grass and more, and contemporary Christian music. There is no cover charge. Enjoy a 12-ounce cup of Starbuck’s House Blend Coffee with your favorite flavored creamer for 50 cents. Also available will be Marques De Pavia Organic decaffeinated coffee, gourmet french vanilla cappuccino, hot chocolate, various teas, Coke products, Pepsi products, Frito-Lay and other snacks. For information visit Vineyard-Cafe.com, call (304) 281-2322 or e-mail jfluhart@access.k12.wv.us.