By CLAYTON PARK

This past summer, millions of viewers tuned in to the TV show "American Idol" hoping to glimpse the crowning of the Next Big Thing in music.

In reality, what they saw was the world's biggest karaoke contest.

Fortunately, for those interested in seeing talented up-and-comers who not only can sing, but also play their own instruments and write their own songs, all they have to do is head to the nearest coffeehouse or pub, which holds a regular open mike night. Many such venues can be found in North Seattle.

True, those performing at area open mikes aren't competing to win a million dollar recording contract, but then again, as singer-songwriter Patrick Kent of Haller Lake notes, open mikes are not supposed to be about proving who's best.

"It's about having a good time," says Kent, who adds that for him, it's also about getting the chance to "test market" new songs and to hone his skills as a performer.

For audiences, open mikes offer an opportunity "to listen to real people who write real music," Kent says. While some musicians occasionally play cover tunes, he says "the vast majority are doing their own music." He notes that a former host of the open mike nights at the Old Town Alehouse in Ballard even had a standing rule: No Pearl Jam covers allowed. Kent has been a regular on the local open mike scene since 1995. He usually plays at least once a month, and as often as three times a week when he has new songs.

"Initially, I did it to try out material I wrote that didn't fit into my band at the time, an alternative punk band called Nemo," he says.

These days, Kent performs mainly as a solo performer. He describes the music he writes now as "jazz-flavored acoustic pop," although he adds that his taste in music ranges from metal to punk to country.

When playing open mikes, Kent says it's important for performers to match the material to the venue. "I've seen guys bring in their rock bands at open mikes, but with few exceptions, it doesn't work to bring in your amps and play covers of AC/DC songs," he says.

"People (in the audience at open mikes) are there to have dinner or cup of coffee or a brew with their friends and they don't want to be overwhelmed" by loud music, he says. "An acoustic act is not as intrusive."

On the other hand, performers at open mikes don't get paid, so they do appreciate it when the audience pays attention to the music.

Kent says performing at open mikes is an excellent way to network with other musicians. He's had fellow performers come up to him after playing a set and offer to get together later to jam. Many a band has formed as a result of musicians hooking up at open mikes.

When playing open mikes, Kent says it's important to not worry about making mistakes. "It's not so important to get it perfect when you perform," he says. "The audience understands. "Personally, I like to see people who are obvious beginners, but who have written a piece that is touching. They may have an untrained voice or falter a bit at the fret board, but that's OK." It's also important for musicians to not expect to "blow people away" when they perform at an open mike. That usually doesn't happen, Kent says, and besides, they're missing the point if that's their goal.

There is much that can be learned from performing at an open mike, he says. "Sometimes not getting a good response can teach you something as much as getting a good response. Pay attention to which songs people seem to like the most, what songs work best at a particular venue and which sound system you sound the best on."

While he's heard tales of performers being offered record contracts after having played at an open mike, Kent says "I can't personally vouch for the veracity of any of those claims."

Kent also advises musicians to treat others the way they would like to be treated - by taking time to listen to other performers. "It's polite, it's courteous, it's respectful," he says. "Don't come in one minute before your set and play and don't walk out in the middle of somebody's song. ... The majority of the time at some open mikes half of the people there are people who are signed up to play."

Kent recommends that open mike performers arrive at the venue early enough for their guitar to have time to get acclimated to the room before tuning. Sudden changes in temperature can cause strings to quickly go out of tune.

Also, don't buy into the myth that drinking a few beers before performing can help you sing better, he cautions. "The first thing that usually goes out the window after you've been drinking is your pitch."

Lastly, remember to have fun and don't take yourself too seriously. "Some nights you can go out and be the best performer in the bar and other times you can be the worst - and you might have performed exactly the same both times," says Kent.

Kent says one of his most memorable experiences as an open mike performer occurred when he played a "life-affirming" song he wrote shortly after last year's Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "When I got done performing, I sat down next to this singer-songwriter who asked me if I was recording. She said, 'You SHOULD record that song,'" he recalls. "It's a real boost" to receive such praise from other musicians, "especially when the person telling you that is phenomenally talented" as that particular performer turned out to be, he says.

Those interested in hearing Kent's music are invited to visit his Web site at www.patrickkent.com. The site offers songs in MP3 format as well as information about how to order his CD, "Respite," which he recorded last year.

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The following is a list of some of the open mike venues in North Seattle (compiled by the Seattle Sun, with assistance from Kent). Signups must be done in person (unless otherwise noted). The following information is subject to change.

O'SHEA'S EASY STREET PUB:
309 NE 45th. Open mikes are held Sundays at 9 p.m. Signups at 7 p.m. Three-song limit. For details, call 547-6832.

FIDDLER'S INN:
9219 35th Ave. NE. Open mikes are held Mondays at 8:20 p.m. To sign up for a slot, call 525-0752 between 8-10 a.m. that day. Slots are 20 minutes.

DUBLINER PUB:
3517 Fremont Ave. N. Open mikes are held Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. Signups at 8 p.m. Slots are 15 minutes. For details, call 548-1508.

STILL LIFE COFFEEHOUSE:
709 N. 35th. Open mikes are held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. All ages. For details, call 547-9850.

MURPHY'S PUB:
1928 N. 45th. Open mikes are held Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. Signups at 8 p.m. Three-song limit (no drums). For details, call 634-2110.

BLUE MOON TAVERN:
712 NE 45th St. Open mikes are held Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. Signups at 8:30 p.m. Slots are 15 minutes.

MR. SPOT'S CHAI HOUSE:
5463 NW Leary Ave. Open mikes are held on Thursdays at 9 p.m. All ages. One-song limit. For details, call 297-2424.

OLD TOWN ALEHOUSE:
5233 Ballard Ave. NW. Open mikes are held Thursdays, starting at 9 p.m. Signups at 8:30 p.m. Slots are 15 minutes. For details, call 782-8323.

CLOUD CITY CAFE:
8801 Roosevelt Way NE. Jill Killen and Elthea Farr, owners of this newly opened coffeehouse in Maple Leaf, will hold their first-ever open mike night Friday, Oct. 4, from 7-10 p.m. Sign-ups for 15-minute (or three songs) performance slots have already begun and should be done by visiting the coffeehouse during the day. Killen said the cafe plans to hold open mike nights at least once a month. For details, call 527-5552. b