A variety of talented students took to the stage to show their talents of guitar solos, rhythmic R&B singing and comedic performances.

The winner of the Open Mic night at the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union in the 7th Street Underground was a first-time comedian, Josh Cahill. Cahill, a junior English major, made the crowd erupt into laughter with topics that included his hatred for Ke$ha and his not so favorite major.

“Constantly being told you don’t know how to write and you have terrible grammar,” Cahill described the attributes of being an English major. Cahill said he is inspired by Louis C.K.

Cahill was not the only performer that left the stage with support from the audience. Marty Roman, an undecided freshman, performed two songs including one that he wrote named “I Saw Flames.” Roman said he is inspired by artists such as Damien Rice, Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson.

“A friend of mine invited me to the previous open mic earlier this year and this time I said, ‘hey why not? I’ll give it a try.'” Roman said on how he heard of the open mic night and how he decided to perform.

Khelan Todd, a junior corporate communication studies major, took to the mic to perform two R&B tunes to the crowd. Todd said he heard of the open mic night through the posters hanging around campus.

“It had a real nice laid back feeling,” Todd said about the 7th Street Underground.

When the performances were complete, Josh Cahill was named the winner.

“Freaking crazy, I decided to do it a month ago. I was really nervous but now I just feel amazing” Cahill described his mindset after he was announced the winner of the Open Mic Night.

Cahill is set to open up for Sheng Weng on Tuesday at Eastern. He said he has gained confidence from his experience at the Open Mic Night put on by the University Board.

Seamus Riley can be reached at 581-2812 or srriley@eiu.edu