EVENT: Musicians Old and New Let Loose at 'North Fork Idol' in Jamesport

Every Friday night, two musical acts get to win at

The prize? Bottles of wine, of course.

“It’s become such a great place to showcase local talent,” said host Kevin “Cowboy” Coppola. “But it’s also created a buzz for people from other venues to book the talent for themselves.”

“North Fork Idol” takes place every Friday from 6:30 to 11 p.m. on the upper studio-apartment-like level of Jason’s Vineyard in Jamesport. Coppola ran an open mic night at in Cutchogue beginning about eight months ago every Tuesday but moved the night and the venue early in the year. As a resident of Southold, he says he understands how tough it is for any local venue to bring in music on their own dime these days.

“I’m trying to create a win-win situation, where the musicians leave feeling good — you don’t have to be the best, just the most popular by applause — and the venue makes some money,” he said.

Familiar faces from established Thursday night open mic night can be seen here, but fresh faces such as this brave soul performing Train’s “Drops of Jupiter” for the first time in front of an audience last Friday also find themselves at Jason’s.

For more information, contact Cowboy Kevin at 516-672-2431 or check out www.facebook.com/northforkidol