house concerts and 21st century touring

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Message from Fran:

After a year of talking about it, I finally finished our “house concert invitation” video - a tool that can help anyone raise interest in attending their house concerts.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’ve had a thousand “look-sees” in just one week. I’m happy to see our hosts link to the video in their invitations and flyers, and and to see artists blogging about it to share the concept with their fans. I look forward to the first report that yes, “someone we’ve been trying to get to attend finally did because of the video.” Who will it be?

KERRVILLE/Carpool - I’ll be attending the first weekend of Kerrville this year for the New Folk Competition. I’m driving from Lawrence, KS and possibly stopping in Dallas on the way down and back. It’s mostly I-35, so email me if you live along the way and need a ride.

Major CIYH improvements:

This is the kind of email you get from putting your events on the house concerts calendar.

To: Duncan House Concerts
The person below is inquiring about your show with: Kenny Edwards
On: 05/16/09

Full Name: Jaime C.
Email: j@changedforprivacy.com
Guest Zip: 90230
Occupation: teacher/writer
Join Host List: Yes

Note from inquiry: Hi,
My wife Nora and I are passionate music fans.  I’m actually a keyboard/vocalist myself who used to perform in bands and solo, but now just jam for fun.  We live in Culver City and try to patronize the local music scene, from Boulevard Music (Culver City) to McCabes (Santa Monica) to Kulak’s Woodshed (In the valley) and even Jazz at the A-Frame (Hollywood Hills). We would love to be put on your calendar list for upcoming events!

We get one or two inquiries each day that look something like the example above. The state calendars are a great way to expand your circle of friends and a nice source of potential new invitees. Your private information is protected, so you have the luxury of choosing if you’d like to reach out to those who show interest. Just log in as HOST and list your shows!

New CIYH Hosts: (artist members can search “member since 2009-04″ using the advanced search. )

New House Concert Presenters in NB, ON, AK, AL, CA, IA, IL, ME, MS, NJ, NY, OH, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, and our first host in Wyoming!

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

Look for these new artists here!

All My Pretty Ones, Aly Tadros, Amanda Pearcy, Amanda West, Arvel Bird, Ben Mallott, Clockwork, Dan Janisch, Elizabeth Jonasson, Henhouse Prowlers, James Talley, John Albert Thomas, Kira Small, LaMay & Reese, Lilli Lewis, Lisa Lynne, MaMuse, Matthew Francis Andersen, Michael Pickett, Mike Vial, Miss Quincy, Muza, Neal Fox, Open Range, Peter Janson, Richard Berman, Rick Hill, Rob Lutes, Smile Pretty Misery, Stormin’ Norman & Suzy, Teresa Storch, Susan Gibson, The Don’t Tell Darlings, The Lime Hollow Boys, the Mickeys, The Victor Mourning, Vlada Tomova’s Balkan Tales, Yahaloma

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

Adam Payne, Jeanne T. Arrigo, Julie Sutton, Tom Smith, Michael Gulezian, Kim Angelis, James Casto

Schwag Star of the Month:

Dave Arsenault with sisters-in-law at the Bill and Kate Isles concert.

Tip for Artists and Hosts:

• Doing Interviews about House Concerts
• New Blog: House Concert Basics: Invitation Lists, Choosing Location, Choosing Date and Time
• Artists log in here | Hosts Log in here

Want to hear from CIYH more than once or twice a month? Catch the tweets or get connected here.

In the CD Player:

George Ensle’s “Build a Bridge.” Heart-felt rootsy ballads perfect for laid-back folk radio, and building monthly newsletters.

Please share this information with people you like. — fran