Meet Megan Strom of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Strom.

Hi Megan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been drawn to music, since I was a little girl. My father taught me some things on the piano at around age 8, and I’ve been hooked ever since! I was so addicted to music, that I even recorded myself singing on a boombox using a cassette tape! Those were good times! Haha

Although I loved music, I couldn’t really get into it that much, due to quite a bit of life that happened, but got back into it at around age 22, where I first picked up the guitar. I wrote a couple songs and decided to get out there and play some, so I did!

Things went well in the music scene for a minute, then more life got in the way, and I had to take another pause. I was working as a pharmacy tech during this time.

At age 31, I decided to kick the pharmacy and continue on my path in music. It was then when I stumbled into a bar in Griffin, called Doc Holidays, where they were hosting an open mic. I became enthralled by how they were running the sound, making it sound so full and fabulous!

I decided to invest in sound engineering gear, such as Logic Pro X and a Presonus Studio One 24c Interface, so I could do my own mixing and recording.

It was around this time, where I met someone who was looking for a lead singer in a pop/rock band, called The Madame Vega. I was actually looking to join a band, so it just made sense to check them out, and I thought they were AMAZING! So, I auditioned and ended up joining.

I was a part of the group for about 3 years. We wrote and released an EP, where you can listen on any streaming platform, if you’d like to check it out!

I ended up leaving, for personal reasons, in 2023, and decided to do my own thing. That’s when I ran into some people at an open mic, that changed the trajectory of my life. They suggested I check out a place called Anthony’s Pizzeria, in Fayetteville, GA, where there was another open mic, and man… I’m so glad I did, for I ended up taking over as host there and that is where my open mic brand was founded! – Megan and Friends Open Mic.

Anthonys isn’t just a pizza restaurant, it’s a place where people come together to celebrate life and everything it has to offer. It is owned by a wonderful, beautiful, kind hearted woman named Nikki Roggero Amorim. Her and the rest of the Roggero family, along with some extended family, run and operate the restaurant. They are a huge part of the beautiful community of Fayetteville, GA, and I feel so honored to play a role in that community! Special shout out to Mark Roggero, for being such a huge music supporter and pushed for there to be more music in and around the restaurant! Without him, I don’t think it would have grown as much as it has. He’s the one to coin the name “Megan and Friends”, actually! Love you, Mark!

Hosting open mic at Anthony’s has been so fulfilling to me. To get the chance to help others bring their art to the stage and opening them up to meet other members of the music community, has been such a dream! We all long for that sense of belonging, and I feel so lucky to be a part of that glue, that sticks people together.

It was also there, where I met my fellow friends, co-hosts, and open mic band mates, Mike Manocchi, Jacob Winslett, and Gary Price. They are a HUGE part of open mic and without them, Megan and *FRIENDS* wouldn’t be possible! I am so grateful for them and Anthony’s. They are all like a second family to me.

We also host at another spot, called Tipsy Daisy, in Griffin, about twice a month, and plan on hosting in other bars nearby real soon!

I’ve come a long way from where I started, and I plan on going so much further than where I’ve been. Music is a never ending road for us all to traverse upon and I’m looking forward to what the future holds for the beautiful music community I’m in!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When it comes to building something, I feel like there will always be bumps in the road. Sometimes you gotta figure out what works, by understanding what doesn’t, and that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing and continue to do!

Some venues aren’t cut out for the open mic scene, and that’s ok! It’s all about finding and setting the right vibe! Musicians like to feel safe and seen, so that’s the space I create. The more I can encourage them to open up, the better! And that definitely requires a safety net of sorts.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an entertainer and open mic host. I specialize in creating a pleasant atmosphere for both the artists and audience, by utilizing my natural skill in setting the ambiance and incorporating my learned skill of sound engineering.

I’m known for my friendly and encouraging demeanor, giving artists a safe space to perform and connect.

I’d say I’m most proud of how far I’ve come. It used to be a bit of a struggle to pull people in, but now Megan & Friends has grown so much that people from four counties over know about my events. It’s definitely an accomplishment in my book!

Like I said earlier, I feel like artists look to feel safe and seen, and that’s exactly what I like to provide. It’s encourages them to open up and give it all they got! It’s a beautiful thing to witness, like watching a flower bloom. 🌼

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was an inquisitive little thing. Always asking more and more questions. I felt like I needed all the answers, haha. Still, to this day, I feel the same actually. Gotta know what’s under the surface! I feel like that’s why I have done so well with Open Mic, now that I think of it. I get the artists to feel what’s under their surface, cracking them open a bit.

I had several interests; dancing, writing, crocheting, drawing… but the one that stood out the most was definitely singing. I was in choir/chorus for 7 years, as a soprano. I couldn’t get enough of it!

And now here I am, several years later, doing that exact thing & I couldn’t be happier!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megan.strom.music?igsh=dHI4cW15eWVobHRs&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CYHDZjJmh/?mibextid=wwXIfr