So as some of you are aware I have been missing of late, well I am happy to say I hope that I am back at least for the foreseeable future anyway.

I'm not sure who knows what anymore, but I intend to write a full and proper post explaining in greater detail where I have been - but for now .... my little boy was severely ill and ended up needing to stay in hospital for over 6 weeks, me of course along with him.

It has been the hardest few months of my life, I experienced lows I never imagined could exist - but somehow we got through it all and my amazing little man is home and on his way to better health, it will be a lifelong journey for us but now at least he is getting what he needs.  

<center>![](https://steemitimages.com/DQme1k5n4Jx7th7mJJJnqmtaayZQmgaU9AHzVYYXwszLYTH/image.png)</center>

I want to thank everyone who sent me private messages, sending loves, prayers and positive energy - I can never express what we went through, but it was moments from all of you that helped us through the hardest moments.

We have been out of hospital for a couple of weeks, even though he did require another surgery since we've been released - and he now has rather intense medical needs, I am trying to figure out how to live again and continue to provide my son with the care he now requires.

It's been a juggling act and I am truly thrilled to be back here this week, I don't know what the future will hold for us - but I will do all I can to be here as consistently as I possibly can be, I've missed you all so much and have felt like a piece of me was missing.

That was until now of course, because I finally managed to get through all the entries - figure out what place to put people (there was a  lot of juggling there, I forgot how hard it is to choose) and make myself stick to it.

But here I am after I think over two months away, I'm back baby and i will truly do my best to keep being here - so why not lets jump into it and check out my top five entries for week 98!

<h4>This week's top 5:</h4>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hYtdiBWj9s

<h4>1st Place - @abelfernandez- <a href="https://steemit.com/openmic/@abelfernandez/bvkynxhm">Inherente</a></h4>

I absolutely loved this entry so much, so soft and sultry at first and then boom it hits you - but before you know it your back to the sweet and soft again, just love the ebb and flow to this performance. 

Now the playing is absolutely perfect, but for me as a judge and a singer I tend to always keep a special ear out for the vocals - and man I have to say your voice is just spectacular and you use it to such great effect throughout this performance.

You have a very impressive vocal range, your depth is shown throughout with delightful moments when you wow with your stunning falsetto - the control you display throughout was just perfection.

I love that whilst the lyric and vocals shone brightly the music wasn't washed away, it kept focus and directed the flow of the song beautifully (highlighted by that stunning instrumental)- I really hope to hear more from you all soon.

<hr>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vQb2JRloQ8

<h4>2nd Place - @zipporah - <a href="https://steemit.com/openmic/@zipporah/steemit-open-mic-week-98-unseen-the-good-fight-original">Unseen (The Good Fight)</a></h4>

Ohhhh Zippy you broke my heart a little tonight lovely, just know there are so many that will never give up on you - you are a part of our family and we will always be here with and for you.

The way in which you conveyed such complex emotions was just breathtaking, as someone you know has shared a similar journey with depression as you - I can completely relate to how you are feeling in this moment in time, but as someone who has come out the other side time and time again I beg you to keep fighting the good fight. 

We will be with you every step of the way, your words are powerful, raw and honest - you speak from a place of darkness, but know one day the light will shine a little brighter once more.

I have to mention the perfect use of fucking in this song, absolutely need and required - and as an Aussie know I appreciate it all that much more :D 

You gave an amazing vocal performance, so filled with emotion you had me in tears at several points on several listens - your music has such a beautiful purpose here, to show you the way through this time. 

I love you Zippy as I know plenty other here do to, thank you for sharing such a vulnerable part of yourself with us - you have an amazing light that you shine, even if it seems dim at times for you... to the rest of us your beaming.  

<hr>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyUDIkpJ6Gg

<h4>3rd Place - @mariajruizb - <a href="https://steemit.com/openmic/@mariajruizb/qyvehnbq">Costumbres</a></h4>

Within moments the playing had me hooked, then when those absolutely flawless vocals started in I was powerless - what a breathtakingly beautiful performance, I just can't get enough of it!

I really do have to mention the sublime playing in this performance, it was the perfect accompaniment and you chose the most brilliant ways to highlight the stunning vocals.

Now for the part that stole my attention so completely, the vocals were truly transcendent - just technically perfect, but on top of pitch perfect quality of your tonal choices and the chosen inflections were just divine.

I was just gobsmacked, this was just perfection from beginning to end - you both absolutely smashed it, I cannot wait to hear more. 

<hr>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6AL-vVT_tk

<h4>4th Place - @kimugas23 - <a href="https://steemit.com/openmic/@kimugas23/steemit-open-mic-week-98-i-don-t-know-my-name-de-grace-vanderwaal-cover">I Don't Know My Name</a></h4>

Your voice is just so captivating, you drew me in and I couldn't help but get into this performance - just an absolutely stunning rendition of this rather difficult song.

On that note I just want to mention that for non singers out there they may not notice, but the breath pattern you have to adopt to successfully pull of that song is rather difficult.

Great playing from both of you, adding the guitar added some extra depth to the performance and I think really highlighted the unusual arrangement of the song perfectly.

The song has an unusual beat pattern and this is why it effects the way you have to breath to sing the song well - but you absolutely smashed it, I loved this performance and I really hope to see more from both of you soon.

<hr>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXdjzfsmQ6g

<h4>5th Place - @lucybanks - <a href="https://steemit.com/openmic/@lucybanks/steemit-open-mic-week-98-the-wolves-ben-howard-cover">The Wolves </a></h4>

From the instant you started I was hooked, what a stunning performance - you just kicked absolute ass lovely, this was such a pleasure to hear and sing along with.

You are an absolute treasure in this competition and even after all this time, when I see your name and video show up I get a little excited to see what you have in store for us - and this week you did not fail to deliver, your stunning vocals just swept me away.

I just never get over the texture and tone of your vocals, they are stunning and how you use them is just brilliant - I love the range you displayed again this week, you have such a great vocal range it's awesome to see it in full effect.

You have such stunning vocal control as well, going from lower moments to high moments that just shine - you then transition from soft to a powerhouse belt, I just can't get enough lovely this was stellar.

It's hard to pick favourite moments, but I just love that vocal slide you have going on there - the whole damned performance was kick ass!

<hr>

<h4>Honourable Mentions:</h4>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGH9Lh_DIr0

<h4>@paintingangels - <a href="https://steemit.com/openmic/@paintingangels/steemit-openmic-week-98-paintingangels-original-new-song-trouble">Trouble</a></h4>

You have such an intrinsically unique and stunning sound, I really just can't get over it - I was tortured not being able to include you in my top 5 this week, because this is just such a stunning song.

Your vocals are hauntingly beautiful, the way you use it to create these almost creepy tones to your music I just love it - as always I cannot wait to hear more from you and soon, you never cease to impress and captivate!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7xxkVBFZlA

<h4>@lifetipsbysn - <a href="https://steemit.com/openmic/@lifetipsbysn/steemit-openmic-week-98-my-music-cover-of-mad-world-by-tears-for-fears">Mad World</a></h4>

Oh wow do I love this song and your rendition is absolutely stunning, you capture the sadness and melancholy perfectly - this is such a brilliant song and you did it absolute justice.

I really enjoyed this performance, Your playing is spot on but it truly is your vocals that steal the show - I really can't wait to hear more!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QILrK5d9Gf0

<h4>@dustinseth - <a href="https://steemit.com/openmic/@dustinseth/steemit-open-mic-week-98-untitled-original">untitled </a></h4>

This entry just really mellowed me out, I found myself just sitting there and taking it all in - what a smooth and soothing sound you have created.

I really loved this song, your falsetto was used to beautiful effect throughout - and your playing was precision for this piece and your captivating vocals. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exDY9iVTmRg

<h4>@k0wsk1 - <a href="https://steemit.com/openmic/@k0wsk1/4mzw4hzs">Men</a></h4>

I was just instantly drawn to this performance, your playing is great but again and always for me your vocals are what held me and kept me wanting more.

I am a massive fan of your smooth silky vocals, with brilliant use of your falsetto and moment of depth that truly show the range and versatility of your voice - I really look forward to hearing more from you soon. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-A97KfzJu8

<h4>@samidbarid - <a href="https://steemit.com/openmic/@samidbarid/steemit-openmic-week-98-sami-d-barid-impossible-original-piano-song">Impossible </a></h4>

Just wow man, you have such amazing abilities with composition and performance on the keys - you always blow me away, with what you can create and how amazing it always sounds I just love it so much.

Your music always has such an epic depth to it, I love how you use the keys to their full potential - there is so much complexity to your music, it is hard to find adequate words to describe the sheer beauty you create.   

<hr>

This week was an amazing first week back in the judges seat, man have I missed you all and it's a delight to see some new faces in the mix as well.

I forgot to mention earlier, while I was away I not only missed my two year steemiversay but I also missed my one year anniversary of being an Open Mic Judge :( so I'm a little bummed about that, but how can I stay sad with the amazing assortment of music I just heard?

This competition never ceases to amaze or impress me, you are all such amazing musicians we are so lucky to have you - and in fact without you there wouldn't be an Open Mic, so thank you for all you do to contribute each and every week!

I love you all and it has been great to get back into things, so I will leave you on that note - and hope to see you all again next week :D

<h4>Steemit Musicians:</h4>

I'd also like to remind everyone again that all top five nominations from this week, will feature in the Steemit Musicians live radio show on MSP-Waves every week - hosted on the <a href="https://minnowpond.org">Peace Abundance and Liberty discord server</a>, through the Minnow Support Project.

A massive congratulations to all of those to be featured in the show, it is going to be great opportunity to get to further share the awesome entries we receive each week - I can't wait to hear the audience's feedback on all our judges selections and your entries. 

I hope you can all drop by and support those who made this week's lists, I'm sure they'd appreciate the support - <strong>not to mention if you join you get to help choose the weekly 30 SBD winning entry!</strong>

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# <center> Please join us for Steemit Musicians this Sunday 12-1 UTC! </center>
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<center> You can listen live at the mspwaves website- http://mspwaves.com/home/listen
You can listen on twitch- https://www.twitch.tv/mspwaves
You can join broadcast hosts in a special chat room on the MSP Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/kNxM7T6
You can check out http://mspwaves.com/ for more information </center>

<br>

<center> ![MSP waves logo.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbu8H6RDh6XRycGGsD8ZFnoDkQEfqvhviu66bqTNJ2EfK/MSP%20waves%20logo.gif)
</center>

<hr>

<h4>Open Mic's New Discord Server:</h4>

I'd like to officially welcome you all to the new <a href="https://discord.gg/crax3e">Open Mic Discord server</a>, we have been open a little while now - with many of you having already joined. 

But it's still a little quiet and I blame myself partly (I didn't know the world of crazy would set in just after opening it up and I just haven't been there to engage with everyone properly or promptly), I hope to remedy this in the coming weeks and months with some big plans we have in the works.

For now it's very hush hush, as plans are finalised and things evolve - you a can be sure you guys will hear all about it.

In the meantime however, there are heaps of amazing musicians already on there - it's a tool and you guys need to use it to get full advantage. 

Ask a question, request a collaboration the world is yours - hell even just go in there and play around listening to some tunes in the jukebox room!

I will be trying to make myself more available on the server as time continues, so feel free to drop by even just for a chat. 

<hr>

A big thanks to @soundlegion, @meno, @verbal-d and @passion-ground for all they do as judges, please remember to go and check out their top five selections each week and to @luzcypher and @pfunk thank you so much for making all of this possible - until next week.

<h4><center>Which was your favourite entry this week?</center></h4>

<center>http://imgur.com/1rTOMBf.png</center>

<center>**Like what you've read so far?**<br /><strong>Check out <a href="https://steemit.com/fiction/@krystle/welcome-to-the-world-of-keltorin-the-keltorin-series-so-far">my story</a></strong><br><a href="https://steemit.com/@krystle"><img src="http://imgur.com/MuQYMot.png"> <img src="https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/08/30/krystle8a9f5.png"></a> <br/><strong>or follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Krystlehaines">@krystlehaines</a></strong><br><strong>Please consider voting @ausbitbank for witness <a href="http://steemit.com/~witnesses">here</a></strong></center>