PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SL Enquirer Singer-Songwriter Open Mic Competition

updated 3/13/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 SL Enquirer Open Mic Auditions – Country Music Edition 
 Saturday, March 21 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM SLT
 Featuring Wolfie Starfire | L$5000 Music Prize | Sponsored by SecondLife.music 

 Grab your boots, tune those strings, and bring a story worth singing. 
This March, the SL Enquirer Open Mic Auditions ride into town with a Country Music Edition, celebrating the heartfelt storytelling, twangy guitars, and down-home spirit that define the genre. From back-porch ballads to honky-tonk stompers, this afternoon is all about songs that tell a story and voices that mean every word.

 Whether you're performing an original tune about life’s winding roads or putting your own spin on a beloved country classic, this open mic is about authenticity, heart, and the timeless tradition of sharing stories through song. Bring the twang, bring the soul, and you could walk away with L$5000 and a featured spotlight in the SL Enquirer.

 Your hosts for the afternoon:
Ninja Antwoord, keeping things lively and welcoming, alongside the legendary Wolfie Starfire, whose passion for live music continues to inspire performers across the Second Life stage. Together, they’ll guide artists and music lovers through an afternoon filled with heartfelt performances, community spirit, and country music at its finest.

 Presented by SecondLife.music, this event celebrates the rich tradition of live music in the Second Life community—where artists share their stories, connect with audiences, and keep the spirit of live performance alive.

 The Prize:
 L$5000 + SL Enquirer Feature awarded to the most outstanding performance of the afternoon

 So polish up that guitar, warm up those vocals, and step into the spotlight. Whether you're performing or cheering from the crowd, expect great music, good company, and plenty of country soul.

 Saturday, March 21 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM SLT
 Live music. Real stories. Country soul.

 The mic is ready. The stage is waiting. Let’s bring a little country to Second Life. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Akamai/214/23/22

_____________________________________
With over 20 years experience reporting virtual world news and participating in numerous charities, events and sponsorships across the grid, the SL Enquirer is the longest running media source in SL. We love working with our fans!

Contact: Ninja, SLE Events Coordinator (ninjaantwoord resident)

About Ninja Antwoord:

Ninja Antwoord is a passionate and dynamic host in the Second Life music scene. Known for his love of live music and his ability to bring people together, Ninja continues to make waves by creating fun and engaging events for all music lovers.

Public Landmark:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Akamai/214/23/22

Website:

http://www.slenquirer.com/

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/TheSLEnquirer/

https://twitter.com/LanaiJarrico/

______________________________

Performer Website:

https://wolfiestarfire.com/

https://www.facebook.com/wolfie.starfire/

About Wolfie Starfire:

Wolfie Starfire is a soulful singer-songwriter with a powerful voice and a unique style. Her heartfelt lyrics and captivating performances have earned her a loyal following. With her warm presence, Wolfie is the perfect co-host to bring an extra spark of magic to this love-themed edition of the auditions.

_______________________________

About SecondLife.music

SecondLife.music is the go-to platform for virtual live music bookings, singer/songwriter showcases, and special event promotion within Second Life. Whether you're a musician seeking to perform, a venue looking for fresh talent, or an event organizer hoping to make a splash, SecondLife.music connects all the key players in the world of virtual live music.

Media Contact:

Ninja Antwoord (ninjaantwoord resident)
Founder/Owner, SecondLife.music
Email: ninjaantwoord@secondlife.music
Website: https://www.secondlife.music
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573566731384
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/RW9TdBpN5y

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ROSEMARY TEAL: A Winning Musician by Any Measure – Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) Reporting

One of the more enjoyable aspects of Life on the Grid is the tremendous diversity of activities available to the most casual observer.  And nowhere is this diversity more evident than in the seemingly endless supply of talented musicians available to entertain SL Residents.  Many of these talented musicians have also done work in RL, and we are fortunate to be able to enjoy the fruits of their labors in that arena as well.   The monthly SL Enquirer Open Mic Singer – Songwriter competition is one such avenue.   Last month, I had the very real pleasure of hearing one of SL’s up-and-coming rising stars in the musical industry here, Rosemary Teal.  Her unique style on the instruments combined with her fun way of engaging with her audiences makes her someone you definitely do not want to miss.

I chatted with Rosemary after her recent win, and she shared with me some of the challenges and victories of being a Musician in SecondLife

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB):     So Rosemary, Congratulations on your win.  It was well deserved.   Thank you for agreeing to chat with me.  To begin with, how long have you been performing your music, and at what sorts of venues?

Rosemary Teal (RT):     I've been doing music in SL off and on for the last few years. I only do a handful of regular shows and some one-off shows here and there. Right now you can find me regularly at Cafe Musique, Mrs. B's Jazz and Blues Club, and CADENZA.

JB:     Who were your music idols, and those who most influenced your musical style?

RT:     I would say my biggest influences are The Beatles, Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae, Amy Winehouse, dodie, and Orla Gartland. I love other singer/songwriters that make honest music about their human experience.

JB:     What was the inspiration for the songs you sang at the contest, and why did you choose those particular songs?

RT:     The theme that evening was school. I did a cover of Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag and I also live-looped an original song of mine, Existential Crisis. I choose songs that speak to my own experience in school, and in life really. I'd describe myself as constantly in crisis and never knowing what I'm doing with myself.

JB:     How would you describe the brand that you now represent? To really stand out in the SL Music scene, you have to have something special about your performances. How do you define your music style? 

RT:     I think my brand is being an honest, authentic hot mess. I just perform what I'm feeling and I wear my heart on my sleeve. My musical tastes are all over the map, so I have a big selection of songs that I do in addition to my original music and live looping performances.

JB:     Are there any truly landmark performances you can recall?  Best Memories performing both in RL and in SL?

RT:     I'm still a fairly small performer in SL. I may not have a big following, but I love seeing the familiar faces that come by and listen to my original music. I feel so loved and accepted by the great reception I get when I perform. Having people request my music and know the lyrics to the songs I've written means the absolute world to me.

JB:     How did you take the news when they first announced your name as the winner?

RT:     I was shocked, to be honest. A friend of mine invited me to come sing. There were so many other very talented performers and singers that evening, so even to be considered was surprising.

JB:     Rosemary, there are lots of budding musicians in SecondLife. What have you found it takes to be a successful musician these days?

RT:     When I find out I'll let you know! For me, I think just having fun and being real. This is SecondLife, but you can still let the real you shine through. I don't put on a persona and try to be something I'm not. That may not be for everyone, but that's what works for me.

JB:     You’ve been on the grid for almost half a dozen years now.  What advice could you give to someone who wants to be a songwriter?

RT:     I've been writing songs since I was a kid. My songs are a diary of my life experiences. I write when I'm sad, when I'm angry, and when I'm happy. It's just a way to process my feelings. I think if you have something to say or if you need to express pain or joy in your life, just try to put it together. You'll be surprised how much people can relate to and connect with you.

JB:     Do you have any social media sites that folks can visit to see more of you and your work?

RT:     My husband and I run our own art and design business where we sell our photography, handmade art, and our original music. You can find my original songs there if you want to purchase them. https://www.tealfishstudio.com/shop/original-music/rosemary-teal-music

We don't use social media because we find it toxic, but I do have a:

·         Twitch:  https://www.twitch.tv/rosemaryteal 

and I sometimes will stream or post on.

·         YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@RosemaryTeal

JB:     Do you post your performance schedule for anyone who wants to catch one or more of your gigs?

RT:     Yes, you can join my group (secondlife:///app/group/8fca6f82-9080-883a-690d-bcf594743b54/about) for updates or see my show calendar (https://tinyurl.com/24c5hrn4) for where I'll be next.

JB:     Is there anything else you would like to share with our SL Enquirer Readers?

RT:     I'm still a fairly small musician on the platform. I would love to share my music with more people, so if you like original music, live looping, and acoustic covers, and a little bit of chaos, I hope you'll consider stopping by one of my shows.

Sooooo..There you have it folks.  For the BEST in Musical entertainment, be sure and click on the link above to see where Rosemary is performing next.  It will be a performance that leaves you with a smile on your face and a song in your heart, guaranteed!  And when you go, tell ‘em Josh sent ya.  You’ll be glad you did.

Be there!  Aloha!!

JB

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AND THE WINNER IS...SPENCE WILDER!!!: SL ENQUIRER OPEN MIC SONGWRITER AUDITION CONTEST WINNER - JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING.

                                         

The SL Enquirer has long been a standard bearer here in SecondLife.  Over the years it has accrued nearly six million views. The Enquirer has supported causes from Relay for Life, to Virtual World Best Practices in Education. It has included stories on everything from gorgeous new builds, to residents making an impact. One of the ways we support the thriving music scene here is by sponsoring the Singer - Songwriter Open Mic contest. These contests bring out the best and the brightest members of the music scene, and this year was no exception. After some close competition, this year's winning songwriter is Spence Wilder.  After the contest, I caught up with Spence and got his "story". I think you'll like it.

I know I did.

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB):     So Spence.   Congratulations on your win.  It was well deserved.   So tell me, who were your music idols, and those who most influenced your musical style?

Spence Wilder  (SW):     My dad sang and played guitar, and I grew up with rockabilly and outlaw country. Willie Nelson’s Redheaded Stranger was in heavy rotation. But by the time I was concert-going age, my tastes were more “stadium rock”, Queen, Zeppelin, and Van Halen. Then the 80’s had me turning to bands like U2, REM, and The Cure. So, by the time I began writing songs, I was all over the place (laughs). It’s a musical melting pot, my brain. Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, and Adam Schlesinger are in there too.  OK and of course The Beatles and Stones.

JB:     What was the inspiration for the song you sang at the contest? 

SW:     I sang The Bullring. It’s from a period when I was writing a song every week, based on a prompt I would assign myself. That week’s prompt was “rodeo clown”.  It’s sort of a “the grass is never greener” love song hiding inside some absurdist poetry.

                          (Photo Courtesy of  piperwaterfalls resident) 

JB:     And why did you choose that particular song?

SW:     I asked the audience to choose between a few. Songs are like kids, impossible to have a favorite. And of my songs, the ones I tend to favor are usually those least popular with others. On that day it was a good call letting someone else decide!

JB:     How long have you been performing your music, and what sorts of venues?

SW:     I learned of the music scene here from two musician friends, Leyah Renegade of the band What The? And Cylindrian Rutabaga. That was in 2007. My first show was at The Shelter, run by the skeleton man himself, Dolmere Talamasca. From there I played at some venues run by Nomad Rovio, who I’d later do amazing Relay for Life spectacle experience shows with.  The Peg Leg in Transylvania was a favorite. Pixel Hill had a thriving scene. Bend Bowie’s notorious Demonic strip club. After a few years I left for a while. That “while” turned out to be a decade or so. I just came back Summer 2024 to find that the music scene had absolutely exploded. I was happy to see The Merry Prankster was still standing, and The Blarney Stone, two places I’d played and still knew folks to help get me back into it. So many amazing venues now. I recently played at Boogeyman’s, and at Bespoke Caravan’s venue, both such fun builds! Shout outs also to Hotel Chelsea, Café Kismet, and especially Lyrical Star Café, one of the only places to feature exclusively original music.

JB:     How would you describe the brand that you now represent?

SW:     I’ve taken up residence in a converted shipping container studio home on a secluded beach called The Wild Blue Yonder. Next door my partner Speedstar Darkfire and I have an art gallery called BLUE Gallery.  The Wild Blue “brand” I suppose is a quirky, eclectic, indie-spirited blend of music and visual art. Even with songs I cover my approach is to make them my own somehow.

JB:     How did you take the news when they first announced your name as the winner?

SW:     There were some fantastic performers, so I was over the moon! So grateful just for the opportunity, and absolutely thrilled to win. I appreciate those who go above and beyond to support artists.

JB:     What does it take to be a successful musician these days?

SW:     I think you need an act that stands out somehow, for people to get invested. There are SO many performers. That differentiator can simply be your amazing vocal ability.  Or musicianship. Or innovative use of a looper. I like to think I’m a storyteller and a bit of a humorist. I try to make my sets something of a variety act in singer/songwriter clothing. Speaking of clothing, if there’s a theme, I’ll really lean into it and conjure up a cool outfit.

JB:     What advice could you give to someone who wants to be a songwriter?

Write routinely. Every day. Every week. Make it who you are. I was in cover bands for years, writing the occasional original song. But it wasn’t until I started my song-a-week experiment that I truly began to feel like a songwriter. Now it’s essential, something I need to do.

JB:     Do you have any social media sites that folks can visit to see more of you and your work?

SW:     You can hear my music on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/spencewilder

To see my visual art, you can visit BLUE Gallery: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Slushy/165/200/26

JB:     Do you post your performance schedule for anyone who wants to catch one or more of your gigs?

SW:     The best place to find out when and where I’m playing is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spence.wilder.2024/

JB:     Is there anything else you would like to share with our SL Enquirer Readers?

Elton John said “Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.” I think that’s doubly true here (smiles). We are all in those moments the healers and the healed. I am so very grateful for everyone who comes to live music events to make that magic happen.

So there you have it, folks.  For those of you who have never had the opportunity to hear this gifted musician perform, you are really missing out.  For those of you who HAVE heard him, you know what I am talking about.  Either way, be sure and check out the URLs above to hear some of his music, see his art, and learn where is is performing next.  You won't want to mis it. And when you do, tell 'em Josh sent ya.  Believe me.  You'll be glad you did

Be there! Aloha!

JB

                                        (Photo Courtesy of  piperwaterfalls resident) 

 

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