house concerts and 21st century touring

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Message from Fran:

I’ve decided that 2009 will be a fantastic year, both personally and professionally. One of the greatest benefits of the internet is that you can find the right coach, teacher, article, and technical device to help you through ANYTHING. You may feel isolated, but you are not alone. Every day I find new resources of hope, change, and goodwill, and I can easily subscribe, connect, or reach out to most of them. I no longer let NBC dictate what goes into my head when I want to chill out and absorb. Hopefully, this website and blog will be a positive resource for you in 2009.

If you want to connect in a big way this year… you must join us at the Folk Alliance conference in Memphis, from February 18th-22nd.

I can’t say enough good things about this conference, and what a resource it is for house concert hosts, artists, and anyone interested in roots music. The term “folk” gets stretched like a pair of Oprah’s underwear, and otherwise upstanding people go home looking like they just spent a week at Burning Man. Good times.

The extraordinary discount they are offering to CIYH members expires in just a few days!

On a sad but expected note, I just learned that Vic Heyman, one of the most beloved and supportive people in folk music, just passed. Our condolences and long distance hugs go out to his amazing wife, Reba. I met them, of course, at Folk Alliance. You probably did too.

CIYH improvements:

Argh! So close, but not yet. Great new stuff in the works. In the meantime, hosts can now upload a picture to their profile - it was a goofier setup before. 8^)

New CIYH Hosts: (artist members can search “member since 2008-12″ on the advanced search page.)

(ON) Stonecroft Folk, (Ireland) Two Worlds Theatre, (CA) Cardiff Concerts in the Home, (CA) Crescent Moon, (CA) Starfields, (CA) Greene House Music, (CA) The Penthouse Retreat, (CO) MyBackPorch, (CT) Song Birds, (FL) Music4meAndU, (FL) The Hub, (FL) Fodor’s Grove, (MA) Patti’s Place, (MO) Rock House 41 High St., (NC) Circle Entertainment, (NY) Acoustic Artists Coalition, (NY) Pinewoods Folk Music Club concerts, (NY) hills of music, (OH) Kiko’s House Concerts, (TX) San Benave Home Sounds, (VA) House Concerts at Rocky’s Run
New Talent Agencies:

We’ve come up with some attractive packages for agents who represent 2 or more artists. We’d like to welcome Scott of AllSpice Music Agency to the CIYH family.

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

Look for these new artists here!

Amilia K Spicer, Beaucoup Blue, Ben Hassenger - Blue Jello, Byron Walls, Carrie and Michael Kline, Carrie Catherine, Chris Vallillo, Coco and Lafe, Cowboy Review, Cyd Ward, David HB Drake, Midwestern Troubadour, Emily Arin, Fine Arts Ensemble, Grant Peeples, Holly Reed, Jazz Vibraphone and Steelpan, Jeff Pearce, Jenna Mammina and Brian Gore, Joe and Vicki Price, Judy Insley/ Almost Perfect, Kacey Jones, Larry (Cord) Cordle, Mason Douglas, Miche Fambro, Mya Elaine, Nesta: Steel drums and World Percussion, Norman Taylor, Paul Sachs, prattle on, rick., Project Natale, Ragged But Right, Rebel Red, Rick Nestler, Robert Bassett, Robert Greene, Stephanie Bettman & Luke Halpin, The Points North, The Stellanovas, Thom Bresh, Tom Acousti, Tommy Talton, Tori Sparks

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

Tim Bays, Blame Sally, Drew Nelson, Vanessa Peters, Tim Miller, Eric Roberts, Carolann Ames, Bill Toms, Austin Cunningham, Christopher Ames, Emily Henry, Michael Tiernan, Billy Bensing, Thea Hopkins, Cher & Gene Klosner, Scott Beck, Tom Pacheco, The Old 78’s, Jacob and Lily

Schwag of the Month:

We continue to get multiple orders of our compilation CD. Hosts are finding these to be great gifts at their events, and I believe it’s a great way to inspire your friends to give house concerts a try.

You can order one, ten or twenty copies here. They are technically free, we just ask a little bit for shipping costs.

I’ll bring these to the conference so you can certainly pick up a copy there if you are a host.

Tip for Artists and Hosts:

Come to Conference:

Get the CIYH Discount before it’s too late!

(I’ll be hosting a showcase room for CIYH members. Shh!)

Letters from Ned:

Another great story from Ned Treanor, our resident historian and lover of all things acoustic. This one is about Bob Gibson and Three Mile Island.

Please share this information with people you like. — fran