A Retirement Celebration For Local Musician and Open-Mic Host, Vaughn Deel

What better way to celebrate the enduring legacy of Vaughn Deel than with an open mic? Vaughn is the guy in the back whose has encouraged and mentored local musicians for decades as a musician himself and as the consummate host of long-running, award-winning open mics at locations on the Peninsula. Vaughn set the standard for open-mic hosts by making players feel welcome, religiously posting photos and videos of their performances, and, most importantly, training audiences to LISTEN to them. His First-Thursday Singer/Songwriter Open Mic Nights at Victorian Station have created a sacred home for local writers at all levels to share their craft. So many cite the relaxed and fun atmosphere he has created as the reason they started - or returned - to writing and performing.

Vaughn inspired the creation of the non-profit Big Pink Music, with its tagline "We Are Listening," to establish the region's only member-supported listening room at Victorian Station 'The Big Pink'. It's only fitting that Big Pink Music hosts an evening to honor Vaughn's work inspiring and uniting our musical community.

The festivities will begin with, of course, a happy-two-hour open mic from 5-7pm. From 7-10pm, local musicians - including Vaughn himself - will perform. Bobby BlackHat, Jason Cale, Michael Glass, The Hobo Mariners, Jackie Merritt & Resa Gibbs, Roy Ira Moats, Cole Prior Stevens & MaryAnn Toboz, Thru w/ Therapy, and Karl Werne are just a start on the list of 757 musicians who will be there to honor Vaughn.