San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
What’s new in the arts
For musician Michael Tiernan, the show must go on
Singer-songwriter Michael Tiernan modestly calls it “one of the lesser-known, longest-running showcases in San Diego.” Fans of this local musician, however, have known about Tiernan’s “Acoustic Wednesdays” showcase since he began hosting it “many moons ago, back in 2006 or 2007” at En Fuego Cantina & Grill in Del Mar.
Every Wednesday, Tiernan would preside over an evening of music, performing and presenting other area artists to audiences.
“It became kind of my office,” Tiernan recalled. “My listeners always knew I was there.”
“Acoustic Wednesdays” was briefly interrupted last March when California went into its initial COVID-19 shutdown. But not for long. Tiernan pivoted to a virtual presentation of “Acoustic Wednesdays,” which can be heard on his Facebook Live page.
“I try to connect with people,” Tiernan said, “and to keep my chops up. And finding a new audience has been good.”
Tiernan’s last onstage performance was March 4, 2020, at the Belly Up. Like musicians everywhere, Tiernan has spent the past 10 months not only reinventing his
business model to adjust to a world without live gigs, but turning to his art for inspiration and peace of mind.
“Music is my way of processing everything going on around me and inside of me,” he said. “It’s my best friend.” The pandemic “forced me to go inside and find songs that help me and listeners along.”
His switch to virtual performances, as with “Acoustic Wednesdays,” has proved a benefit.
“I found right away,” he said, “that it gave me an intimacy to bare my soul a little differently. It reminded me of a confessional. The webcam has been that for me.” facebook.com/ Michaeltiernanmusic