For Mike Ingram, variety is key. Every Tuesday night, Ingram can be found running the show at Champaign bar Cowboy Monkey, acting as a sound guy, emcee, musician and more for the bar’s “Open Mic Nights.” On stage, too, Ingram switches roles instantaneously, at one moment providing backup vocals for the Backstreet Boys hit “I Want It That Way” and the next rapping to Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise.”

On April 4, Cowboy Monkey celebrated the 10th anniversary of its “Open Mic Nights,” a tradition Ingram said he, along with friend and fellow musician Brandon Washington, founded shortly after the bar opened. The “Open Mic Nights” begin at 9 p.m. and run until midnight. At 12:30 a.m., Ingram takes the stage and performs until 2 a.m. Performers range from acoustic-guitar-playing crooners to rappers to stand-up comedians. 

Ward Gollings, the bar’s booking agent and special events coordinator, said the “Open Mic Nights” are ideal for musicians who are just starting out.

“Cowboy Monkey’s open mic is an excellent avenue for aspiring musicians,” he said. “The sound and stage are top notch, and it’s an easy way to get yourself heard and seen.”

Gollings said the open mic is also beneficial to the bar, bringing in both customers and performers on an otherwise-slow night.

“Tuesday is an off night in general for most establishments, so open mic isn’t expected to do the numbers that a Friday night does,” he said. “But it’s consistent, and it’s a great way to attract new and unknown talent.”

For Ingram, a favorite part of the open mic night tradition has been watching newcomers grow as performers.

“It’s an easy way to fill a night, and I liked it personally because I liked watching people develop,” he said. “I’ve gotten to see people come when they’re only 18 or 19 and play, and they meet people here and start bands, or they just progress as musicians and start writing their own songs and get better.”

Amy Mitchell, vocalist and tambourine player for local band 90’s Daughter, took the stage at Tuesday’s open mic night. The band primarily performs covers of ’90s hits from artists like Nirvana and No Doubt, but has also added more recent hits like “Call Me Maybe” to its repertoire. This variety was reflected in Mitchell’s set Tuesday as she belted out tunes like Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and Stone Temple Pilots’ 1993 hit “Plush.” Mitchell will perform with 90’s Daughter at  the bar’s Block Party on June 1.

Mitchell said she began coming to Cowboy Monkey’s open mic nights years ago with her now-fiance and has returned to the bar for its atmosphere and cuisine.

“There’s a patio that’s great in the summertime,” she said. “There are good food and drinks, it’s centrally located and there’s usually some kind of music going on.”

In addition to the open mic nights, the bar hosts other recurring events like Sunday’s trivia nights and Wednesday’s salsa and tango nights.

Lauren can be reached at [email protected].