house concerts and 21st century touring

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“I just booked 5 more house concerts in the last week.. I wanted to extend a thanks to you for the site and for the great advice.. It’s helped immensely and is one of the main reasons I’m surviving out on the road.” — Jesse Terry

Fran’s Message :

Just returned from a great show in Atlanta, GA. If you look, you can find signs of life, and places where music is thriving. In the past few years, a friend of mine has built a monthly concert that now draws more than 200 people to each show (at $20/person to see unknown acts like me.) This was their biggest turnout ever, and an amazing time. Don’t let redundant media messages get you down… you have more power than ever to shape your destiny. Find work that inspires you, downsize your needs, and recharge your life.

I’m doing my first appearance at the Bugle Boy in La Grange, TX this month. This lovely place is one great example of the venues we intend to support with ListeningRoomNetwork.com.

Conferences and Showcase Opportunities:
Hosts and Artists! Please join us at a music conference near you. The regional get-togethers put on by Folk Alliance provide a wonderful opportunity for us to meet, share, and enjoy some great music. Several of these conference offer discounts to CIYH hosts, so please get in touch ASAP if you’d like to meet up. See dates and locations.

CIYH Artists - here’s the info if you’d like a guerilla showcase in our room at SWRFA, NERFA, Far-West, or SERFA. (space is limited, so inquire early)

“Dinner and Song (DNS)” Update:
Many hosts and artists have shown interest in this new program, designed as an easy weeknight event. Hosts will be able to “opt-in” to this program, or even sign up for this DNS only if they prefer. It’s a great fit in so many ways… more news soon.

“ListeningRoomNetwork.com (LRN)” Update:
We’re having to make significant modifications to CIYH so that the two sites will work well together… more news soon!

Video Contest:
Last year’s contest was so much fun and so rewarding for the participants that we are doing it again. This year’s grand prize? How about a 10-day house concert tour? Details very soon, but in the meantime, artists… let’s make a video that rivals last year’s top 10 entries.

“I really really like the Personal Light Show… It makes the music sound even better! — R. Poole, House Concert Host

“We’re getting great reviews from hosts and artists who have purchased these great lights.”

New CIYH Hosts: (artist members can search “member since 2010-08″ using the advanced search.)

10 New House Concert Presenters in CA, CO, FL, KY, NJ(2), OR, PA(2), TX
Due to the extra attention now given to new hosts, we have a bit of a backlog in activations right now. We want to give each new host the best chance at early success, and to educate them on the importance of using the “booking lights” effectively, as well as the courtesy of responding to artists who make personal, professional, and kind inquiries.

New CIYH Artists:

(Welcome Aboard!)

Alex Gordon Hi-Fi, Amy Petty, Angie Marie, Astrid Young, Bruce Kurnow, Buffalofitz, Cyd Ward, Daniel Sperry, Declan McGarry, Dexter Carlson, Gerry Griffin, J.R. Byrd, Jared Young, Javier Mendoza, Jeremiah Birnbaum, Johnsmith, Keeley Valentino, Lipbone Redding, Lisa Lindsley Jazz Trio, Lisa Torres, Lore Constantine, mamalama, Mark Kroos, Mark Radcliffe, Merry Ellen Kirk, Molasses Creek, Molly’s Revenge, Randy Palmer, Rob Morsberger, Ron Murray, Shannon McNally, Stephanie Nilles, The Gatorbone Trio, Vivian Sessoms, Wilson & Moore

Our Audio 6-Packs (free downloads) are back! This month, download 2 tracks from each of our featured artists. Lovely music!

Look for these new artists here!

Renewed Artists:

(Signed on for another great year!) Alfred James, Amanda Duncan, Andy Hill & Renee Safier, Annie Moscow, Austin Ladd Roberts, David Leask, Dewveall, Home Grown Tomatoes, Jan Krist & Jim Bizer, Jeff Larson, Jenn Grinels, Joanna Burns, Karyn Oliver, Laura Zucker, Lynne Hanson, Marc Black, Mary Hartman, Americana, Mayes2, Muriel Anderson, Putnam Smith, Rhonda and Peco, Rod MacDonald

Schwag of the Month:

It’s getting near the time of year to keep yourself warm in some long sleeves, while revving everyone up about the excitement of having concerts in your home. If they’re not close enough to see your awesome stylin’ shirt, then you better send them one of your House Concert-loving postcards.

Choose your style and size shirt here!

Tips for Artists and Hosts:

• CIYH Artist (guerilla showcase) Opportunities this fall
• Amy Petty: A Case Study on How to Get Started as a CIYH Artist.
• Things you should know about hosts at CIYH
• Getting Your Music into Pandora
• Another EPK? Why, CIYH, why?
• House Shows vs House Concerts vs House Parties
• Russ and Julie and “The Wrecking Crew”
• ListeningRoomNetwork.com now in development
• Dinner and Song - new format creates mini house concerts.

Artists and Hosts log in here

Please share this newsletter with people you like. — fran

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“I just played a house concert in PA that I was able to book solely on the fact that the host found me on the CIYH website. Success story!” — Robby Hecht

Fran’s Message :

What an amazing summer so far. I’m very excited to report that we are making progress developing ListeningRoomNetwork.com and we’ll start reaching out to like-minded venues very soon. Thanks to our hosts for the kind hospitality I received in 6 states and 11 cities on my recent west coast tour.

Jeff and I are working up different programs and ideas to create more opportunities for our artists and hosts. “Dinner and Song” is something we’re very excited about in terms of filling off nights for artists, and creating events that hosts can easily do on weeknights. We’re grateful to those of you who are suggesting improvements and alternatives.

Join us at a music conference this fall!

Folk Alliance International provides 5 regional opportunities each fall to allow us to get our hosts and artists together under one roof. It’s great time, very inspiring, and a great way to make new friends and hear new artists. Many hosts attend these conferences to collaborate with other hosts, and to experience artists first-hand so they can book their house concerts with more confidence. Check the link for your area… Let’s meet up!

SWRFA (southwest regional folk alliance)
conference dates September 30 - October 3 in Austin TX
FARM (folk alliance region midwest)
conference dates October 7-10 in Bolingbrook, IL
SERFA (southeast regional folk alliance)
conference dates October 14-17 in Mountainview, AR
FAR-West (folk alliance region west)
conference dates October 21-25 in San Jose, CA
NERFA (northeast regional folk alliance)
conference dates November 11-14 in Kerhonkson, NY

“I really really like the Personal Light Show… It makes the music sound even better! — R. Poole, House Concert Host

**Order the Personal Light Show by August 31st and get free shipping!

New CIYH Hosts: (artist members can search “member since 2010-07″ using the advanced search.)

3 New House Concert Presenters in DK, CO, PA
Due to the extra attention now given to new hosts, we have a bit of a backlog in activations right now. We want to give each new host the best chance at early success, and to educate them on the importance of using the “booking lights” effectively, as well as the courtesy of responding to artists who make personal, professional, and kind inquiries.

New CIYH Artists:

(A big thank you for your support.)

Allisongsmith, Barbara Lamb, Bill Chambers, Corinne Chapman, Darlene Koldenhoven, David Nigel Lloyd, Dirty Dishes, Elizabeth Devlin, Fishtank Ensemble, Frank French, Gail Sparlin, Heather Maloney, Heidi Winzinger, Humble Tripe, Jacqui Foreman, Jason Myles Goss, John & Tanya, John and Julie Pennell, Judy Coder, Luke Rackers Plays Original Solo Piano Works, Madeleine, Mark Dignam, Mark Muretisch, Matt and Shannon Heaton, Matt Turk, Music Without Walls Project, Sam Willoughby, Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart, Tori Gee Jazz Revue, Trees Leave, Troubaduo, Tumbledown House

Our Audio 6-Packs (free downloads) are back! This month, download 2 tracks from each of our featured artists. Lovely music!

Look for these new artists here!

Renewed Artists:

(A HUGE thank you for your continued support!) Cady Finlayson & Vita Tanga, Darlene Koldenhoven, Davey O., Jeni & Billy, Jesse Terry, John & Tanya, Julie Christensen, Julie Delaney, Kenny Edwards, Lonnie Knight, Matthew de Zoete, Pi, Tom Richardson, Trees Leave

Schwag of the Month:

“Part Time Artist, Full Time Broke” It’s not humility, it’s just funny. As touring songwriters, we are a beacon that inspires so many new artists to a life of poverty. There’s no greater “job security” than not having a real job. Join us as we tour with our life’s belongings - 2 pairs of pants, a laptop, and a “Ask Me About My House Concert” bumpersticker.

Choose your style and size shirt here!

Tips for Artists and Hosts:

• ListeningRoomNetwork.com now in development
• Dinner and Song - new format creates mini house concerts.
• How Artists should promote upcoming house concerts on the internet.
• Empty Chairs are now Illegal at House Concerts.
• The fake front row.

Artists and Hosts log in here

Please share this newsletter with people you like. — fran

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Fran Snyder on the road in July: Nebraska & California

Be small, be brilliant!

Message from Fran:

These are fascinating times. For music, things are better than ever, and the worst they’ve ever been. Never before has there been so much opportunity to develop a meaningful career in music - to write, perform, record, and promote directly from your heart - with few if any compromises, and the ability to survive on the income you generate from it.

Never before have there been so many supportive souls (like hosts) that genuinely care about art and artists, so many individuals who value community and want to have a voice in it, in order to do good and to feel good about their place in this world.

The downside? To fully enjoy this new environment, you have to let go of the media brainwashing that for decades has made too many people feel like they should be and could be the next big thing…

Be small, be brilliant, and watch the right people in this world embrace you.

Web-boost: We’re offering a nice web-boost to our artists and hosts who want help with their websites. Bryan Tilford, who’s been coding for CIYH since the very beginning, is offering an amazing deal to help you make your websites more effective, and to help you get organized to get the most of the time you spend online. It’s amazing what you can accomplish in just two hours. Here’s the deal.

New CIYH Hosts: (artist members can search “member since 2010-06″ using the advanced search.)

8 New House Concert Presenters in ON, IE, IL, MD, MI, NY, OK, TN

New CIYH Artists:

(A big thank you for your support.)

2tone, Alexander’s Real Time Band, Alicia McGovern, Anna Madorsky, Becky Schlegel, Beppe Gambetta, Bill Bynum&Co., Bill Sheffield, Brent Malin, Brian Henke, Buzz Cason, Caleb Hawley, Carolyn Cruso, Chris Darby, Claudia Schmidt, Dave Argentati, Doug MacLeod, Freddy Hall, Gather ‘Round!, Jason Liebman, Jim Tyrrell, Joe Hand, Julie Kathryn, Les Sampou, Lindsay White, Natalie Gelman, Orrin Star, Rom Ryan and Moodafaruka, Serenade Duo, Starcode, Terry Holder, Tima & Rick, Valdy

Our Audio 6-Packs (free downloads) are back! This month, download 2 tracks from each of our featured artists. Lovely music!

Look for these new artists here!

Renewed Artists:

(A HUGE thank you for your continued support!) Alex Woodard, Ben Bedford, Bread and Bones, Brian Price, Carly and Mark, Gary Paul Hermus, Grant Peeples, Jack Tempchin, John Wort Hannam, K.C. Clifford, Marion Walsh, Melissa Greener, Rachel Sedacca, Reid Jamieson, Sonny and Perley, Steve Elliott & Lucie Walker

Schwag of the Month:

This tried and true t-shirt always grabs attention, and gives you the chance to start that “what’s a house concert” talk everyone can’t wait to have. It was a toss up between this one and our “I’m a writer…” shirt. Show people what you believe in!

Choose your style and size shirt here!

Tips for Artists and Hosts:

• How to Promote a Gig with style.
• When all else fails, cut to the bone.
• Artists! Share the Free House Concert Guide - more income, better experiences.
• Breaking Into Houses
• The Wrecking Crew - new film, screened by the director, in your home

Artists and Hosts log in here

Please share this newsletter with people you like. — fran

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