“I could eat this stage if I wanted to, but I won’t.I just ate.”

Wednesday’s first place Open Mic Night’s winner, Tom Bickham, spoke these comedic words.

This is the sophomore communications major’s second consecutive win.

Much of his achievement is due to his comedic relief and musically talented performances.

Last month’s rendition of Nelly’s “Ride with me” using his guitar was a crowd pleaser, seeing as how the audience demanded an encore this time around.

Coupled with other cover songs such as Blink 182’s “Rock Show” and the hit song “Space Jam,” Bickham’s performances were entertaining. When he stopped singing, he kept joking that “Space Jam” was “Michael Jordan’s best acting ever.”

The Open Mic Night was held in the Bridge Lounge where many students gathered to hear some singing and get some free food.

Kathleen Pollard, freshman elementary education major, enjoyed last month’s performances so much that she introduced the entertainment to friend Jaclyn Hembree, also a freshman elementary education major.

Both women wished the night was advertised more in hopes that it would bring in more talent that seems underestimated around campus.

Although many students perceive the Open Mic Night to be singing exclusively, any talent you may have is open to showcase.

“Tom is hysterical, the comedy is so much better,” Pollard said. “Either sing and add in some comedy to the routine or just get up there and make it funny.”

The idea behind the event is to compete among other performances in order to entertain the audience. The votes for the top three winners are based on who is the most entertaining performer. Many of the contestants played music they composed themselves.

“It’s a lot different when they wrote their own songs,” Hembree said. “I feel as if I listen more closely to the lyrics and begin to comprehend them better.”

Bickham received a $75 gift certificate to Wal-Mart, plus bragging rights until next month’s event on Nov. 7. He is hoping to have a duet with fellow contestant Matt Brunner doing a cover of “Bittersweet Symphony” with their guitars.

Bickham was in a band for a year and then decided to start playing solo. However, his friends who play guitar do get together and play cover songs for things such as graduation parties.

He says he plays those parties “to have fun.”

“Although I do want people hear my serious songs, I want them to feel comfortable and this is done best by making them laugh,” Brickham said. “I find that the key to winning is by connecting with people through humor.”

The performance heightened when Brickham was tuning his guitar on stage, while telling jokes.

Tom Bickham, a sophomore communications major, sings “Send Me On My Way” by Rusted Root at open mic in the bridge lounge of the Martin Luther King Jr union Wednesday night

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