house concerts and 21st century touring

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Message from Fran:

We’ve done a lot this month to make the site easier to navigate and read. Almost everything you need you’ll find on the “Host Resources” page or the “Artist Log In” page. We’ve also created several nice membership options for talent agencies and booking agents.

We’ve had great feedback and a nice number of requests for the Compilation CD. It’s free to any presenter who’s interested, we just ask $3 to cover the mailing. Click the CD to order your copy. We’ve even had a few folk radio DJ’s pick up a copy as well.

On Tuesday, April 8th, I’ll be doing a tele-seminar/interview with PerformingBiz.com - the discussion will focus on tips for artists, but anyone is welcome to phone in and listen for free. Read for details.

CIYH stats and developments:

CiYH stats as of March 31, 2008:
329 Hosts
452 Artists
22,000 Monthly Visitors

In March we added 19 new hosts, and 21 new artists. We also deleted 5 inactive hosts from our listings.

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

New Hosts: Grubbs’, Amy & Cindy’s, Any House, Triad Acoustic Stage, Americana Unplugged, Select Real Estate, Sharon, Cobblestone Creek, Feed My Soul Series, Dancing Beagle, Rose Arbor, Harmony, ArtMusic Coffeehouse, Un-Named, Mama Bird, Music in the Sandbox, 313 Presents, Global Spirit

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

New Artists: Aaron Jacobson,Chris Carder, Compass Rose, D.C. Anderson, Dan Ennis, Darren Raleigh, Davis Jones, Electric Diamond, Eve Goldberg, Gates & Goodell, Jenn Adams, Jeremy Weinglass, John Young, Juni Fisher, Mars or the Moon, Peter Cooper, Reggie Miles, Stacey Knights, Stephanie Smith, Tamara Hey

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

Annie and Rod Capps, Dan Vaillancourt, Montgomery Spafford, Kenny Edwards, Rachel Sedacca, Del Rey, Rod MacDonald, Flip Peters & Larry Maltz, Drew Womack, David Milam, Rachel McGoye, Brett Ryan Stewart, Cole Mitchell, Swift Years

Merch of the Month:

The “Ask Me About My Next House Concert” shirt makes a comeback. Each shirt or item sold buys Bryan (web-guy) a cappucino, so thanks for keeping him awake for all the improvements we’re making to the site.

Legal Developments:

The Ching’s
have finally resolved their legal battle to continue their house concerts, and were 99% victorious. Here’s an article that sums up their recent results.

Also, for those of you concerned about ASCAP and BMI, an agreement is being finalized with them to make house concerts (with some restrictions) exempt from licensing fees in the United States. We’ll have more details soon…

Artist of the Month:

Freebo

If you see some old photos of Bonnie Raitt on stage, you’re likely to see Freebo holding down a 4-stringed hunk-a-wood. In recent years, he’s been doing his own thing, and doing it well. Very well indeed. Read More…

Host of the Month:

Americana Unplugged

Larry Lyon made quite a splash online recently when he wrote in his advice for making the words “benefit” and “house concert” work together. It’s trickier than you might think… but his approach is genius. Continue to his story…

Tip for Artists: Can a Simple Banner on Your Site Lead to Gigs?

Can it? Just ask Wayne Gratz! Not even a few weeks after joining CIYH, a fan saw the banner on Wayne’s site and emailed. Wayne picked up a house concert booking, a story in the paper… I can’t wait to find out what else happens…

Oh, and Wayne plays instrumental piano.

Tip for Hosts: Reaching out to nearby hosts - you are not alone!

Get out of the house! There’s nothing like meeting other people with similar interests and learning from each other…read on.

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

Your feedback is always appreciated.

Thanks for all the kind comments this month! I appreciate the encouragement. — fran
.

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Special Teleseminar/Interview

10 Steps to Growing Your Audience with House Concerts:
An Interview with Fran Snyder of Concerts in Your Home

I REALLY enjoyed the tele-seminar the other night. House concerts are
awesome and I’ve been wanting to learn more. Your insights and suggestions
were right on target. Thanks!

DC Sills

Great seminar Fran! My biggest surprise was finding out you were a guy!!!!
I’m inspired to update my page and get back out there with some new idea/infused energy.

All my best,
Sonya

Recorded Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 8pm Eastern

I talked with Jeri Goldstein, of PerformingBiz.com,
about all the ways that house concerts can build your demand in a new
market.

Here are just some of the topics we covered…

Strategies To:

• Grow your fanbase
• Develop your market recognition
• Increase your sales
• Manage your travel
• Build on your tour anchor dates
• The best ways to approach existing hosts
• How to get fans to host a house concert
• How to build up to gigs at larger venues

Listen to this recorded interview to get some time-tested
strategies that you can use right away. House concerts are a valuable
way to make your tours more successful while growing your audience and
selling more merchandise.

Your Fan,

Fran Snyder
ConcertsInYourHome.com

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His real name is still “classified,” but there’s one thing we know for sure - if you see Freebo at a music conference, he’ll have wet hair and a cup of coffee. I had a chance to spend a few minutes with him at the 2008 Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, and it was easy to see why he does so well on the house concert circuit. Freebo has an unforced charm, a great spirit, and plenty of talent and good songs to complete the package. It’s a safe bet that if you book Freebo for a concert in your home, you’ll be relaxed and happy by the end of the show. — fran

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Freebo’s success in rock’n’roll has been well documented over the years. From bass player/band member with Bonnie Raitt for a decade to countless studio sessions and tours with artists ranging from John Mayall, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Maria Muldaur and Ringo Starr, to T.V. appearances on “Saturday Night Live,” “Midnight Special,” and “Muppets Tonight,” as well as tuba performances with Dr. John and the legendary Spinal Tap, Freebo has achieved status and respect in a creative and highly competitive field.

Not satisfied with simply resting on his laurels as a top sideman, Freebo has continued to push his creative envelope, and now has evolved into an acclaimed singer/songwriter, with three well received solo CDs to his credit, 1999’s “The End Of The Beginning,” 2002’s “Dog People” (songs about the human/canine connection), and his new CD, “Before The Separation.”

Released in October 2005, Freebo’s latest shows his complete arrival and comfort as a singer/songwriter, with thoughtful and insightful lyrics sung with soul and passion, framed by his acoustic guitar and signature fretless bass, and supported by tasty drums, electric guitar, and harmonica, played by some of rock music’s finest musicians.

Freebo’s songs span styles from folk, blues, and country to R&B, reggae, and rock ‘n’ roll, and incorporate themes of love, struggle, triumph, peace, and the journey of life. His live performances, mainly on acoustic guitar, take you on a musical and lyrical ride. Freebo creates an intimate unity with his audience and will likely leave you with a tear in your eye, but with a smile on your face.

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