house concerts and 21st century touring

Sign up for this newsletter through RSS or by emailing us here.

Message from Fran:

Concerts In Your Home is 2 Years Old…

Two years ago, CIYH was born out of equal parts inspiration and frustration. I decided there needed to be a place where you could find current, helpful information about house concerts. A place where both artists and hosts could come together to enhance and expand this wonderful community.

I want to thank everyone for their kindness and encouragement, especially the artists and hosts whose testimonials help spread the word about CIYH. I’m consistently impressed with the caliber of people who involve themselves with house concerts, and I’m grateful for everyone’s help in taking care of this toddler. — fran

CIYH stats and developments:

Last month we took a major step to update EVERY host. Essentially, every host had to rejoin, and update their information to show up in our listings. Most of our hosts have now rejoined, and I’m hoping all our remaining active hosts will take this step in the next few days.

Here’s what our new host pages look like.

Here are the advantages:

1. hosts can now edit/update their information instantly
2. hosts can be found more easily by appropriate artists
3. artists can more easily “screen themselves” by having easy access to the most relevant information about each house concert series.

I believe this will improve and simplify communication between artists and hosts, and take much of the guess-work out of artist inquiries. More of what you want, less of what you don’t. Hold the sprinkles, please.

Hosts, please review this month’s tip to get the most out of your house concert listing.

New CIYH Hosts: (artist/agency members receive these by email)

(Every host is new again.) I’m still working on separating the “actual new hosts” from the “new again” hosts. Sorry for the delay during this transition.

New CIYH Artists: (A big thank you for your support.)

Al Dawson, Alex Woodard, Andina and Rich, Cady, Claudia Russell, Colleen Sillver, Deanna Dove, Dennis O’Rourke, Glass House, Glynace, Jerry Yates, john tinger, Julie Christensen, K.C. Clifford, Kim Angelis and Josef, Kim Carson, Lee Ferris, Lucky Overton, Marshall Artz, Musical Origins, Pagan, Paul Roub, Paul Sanchez, Phil Christie, Ralston Bowles, Retta Guest Choate, Roesy, Smallfish Adventures, Stephen Lee Rich, Susan Cowsill, Suzahn Fiering, The Light Brigade

Renewed Artists: (A HUGE thank you for your continued support!)

Ed Petterson, Marina V, Pure Evidence, Greg Trooper, Effron White, Brad Yoder, Lauren Adams, Michael Morales, Jody Whitesides

Artist of the Month:

Adrianne

“Adrianne’s recordings feature modern, tasteful production of that rare type - the kind that creates an alternate world you can walk into, but which never eclipses the power of the song. It enhances every nuance of her skillful, understated musical ability.” — Yep. I said that.

What’s the most important thing about being a performing songwriter? Is it the instrument chops? Is it the voice? Is it the ability to tell a story? In Adrianne’s case…
Read all about it.

Host of the Month:

PocoNotes

… the idea for PocoNotes was conceived in Tower 2 of the World Trade Center as Pat was making his way out of the building for what we now know was the last time.

Two decisions were made that day: to continue to live our daily lives without fear…and to make the second half of our lives count - in a way that mattered to us…and live music matters a lot. Continue..

Tip for Artists:

Video Pitch to/for Your Fans…

…I’m sure you’ve noticed that many people “don’t get it” when you try to explain what a house concert is. So here’s a new tool we just added to help you illustrate and sweeten your house concert
pitch. Read on.

And please Digg or rate the video on YouTube. Thanks!

.

Tip for Hosts:

“Instructions for Artists:”

Recommended information for your host listing…

• What is your booking window? 2-4 months out, 3-6 months out, 6-12 months out, more than one year?
• Are there certain months you won’t do shows?
• Do you need to see them live, or at least a video?
• please continue…

FUN STUFF

Hosts! Please send me the most embarrassing, bad, unprofessional emails you’ve received from artists. I’m writing an article about the best and worst ways to pitch yourself to house concert hosts (and other venues). I promise to clean up the names to protect the guilty.

They don’t have to be funny, but here’s one of my favorites:

“I plays house concerts. You like me. Please call xxx.xxxx”
and that was from David Wilcox. Kidding, of course.

This website is sponsored by: Artists, D’addario, and AirPlay Direct.

Your feedback is always appreciated.

Tell your friends about house concerts. It’s too important to keep it our little secret. — fran
.