house concerts and 21st century touring

For Immediate Release
June 11, 2008
Contact: Fran Snyder 817.789.2936

ConcertsInYourHome.com Marks 2 Year Anniversary with Free Compilation CD

ConcertsInYourHome, the largest and most active “house concert” promoter on the web, marks the beginning of it’s 3rd year. For a limited time, they are offering free copies of their 1st Compilation CD to music fans, industry/radio folks, and concert presenters.

House concerts, long the secret of the A-list folk festival performers, are becoming more and more mainstream. Even the most talented acts today have trouble filling concert halls, and traditional “listening venues” continue to install televisions and pool tables to satisfy the whims of their increasingly distracted/distractable clientele.

Stunningly, many artists are reporting that they would be unable to tour if it weren’t for house concerts. The way these generous hosts absorb the expenses of the show, and offer free lodging and food, is a welcome relief for artists who have seen their traveling costs double in recent years. Also, these hosts bring together audiences that are often very disconnected from the club scene.

Craig Bickhardt, a CIYH member artist with four #1 hits, puts it like this,

“Without house concerts it would be virtually impossible for me to tour. These concerts… often provide alternatives for people who are unable to go to bars and coffeehouses due to the later show times, the smoking (in some venues), the lack of comfortable seating (for elderly audiences), and the stresses of being in urban environments at unsafe hours. House concerts not only supplement my touring, they often take place on Sunday afternoons when other entertainment is seldom available. With the price of gas at $4 a gallon, many artists can no longer afford to go out for just one or two gigs. In this way house concerts are indirectly helping to keep the bar and the coffeehouse supplied with fresh (touring) entertainment.”

Music fans who are just discovering house concerts are stunned with the quality of artists who are available for these intimate events. Pat DiNizio of the Smithereens was once again featured in the New York Times last week for his ability to reach out to fans in this way. Even Jill Sobule, who has been making headlines with her fan fundraising efforts, is offering house concert performances to generous donors.

According to artist and CIYH founder Fran Snyder, “as the star-making machinery becomes less productive, I believe that fewer hit songwriters will see “getting cuts” on big name records as a viable future. I also believe that many of these talented songwriters will embrace their artistry and turn to house concerts as a way to connect with new audiences. We’re seeing it happen already.”

Even Jennifer Batten, a monster guitarist who’s done three world tours and a Superbowl with Michael Jackson, and several tours with Jeff Beck, is now doing a multi-media presentation that she loves to take to house concerts.

Money issues aside, many artists prefer this format, and the intimate presentation to a rapt audience. Hans York, a CIYH member artist from Seattle, and recent winner of the prestigious New Folk competition in Kerrville, says “House concerts are the emotional anchors of every tour.”

The CIYH site is a growing community with 500 artists and several hundred house concert presenters. The site educates, organizes, and helps connect the participants in this musical super-culture, which generate about 20,000 visitors per month.

The compilation CD features 19 artists, including Michelle Malone, Rod MacDonald, John Batdorf, Adrianne, Randall Williams, and Fran Snyder. Visit this link for ordering info.

Additional Resources:
2 Minute YouTube intro Video
House Concert Fast Facts
What Independent Artists Get Paid

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Inspire them. Show them they can do it.

Nothing (not even the video I just made) will inspire someone to host a house concert as much as experiencing one.

So….

If there is a house concert series near you, consider organizing some of your fans/friends to go to an upcoming event. Our house concert calendars list events on the left side of the state pages. Search for your state/province or country here:

Then, select some friends/fans to send this email to…

Hi Friends,

Have I made you curious about house concerts yet?

On [DATE], there’s a great performer [NAME] who will be performing at a house concert in [LOCATION/CITY].

I plan on going, and I’d like to invite you to come with me. These events are wonderful, and the suggested donation for this one is only [$ amount]. Here’s the rest of the information, where you can get additional details [LINK TO RELEVANT WEBPAGE]. And here’s a link to the artist’s website where you can hear some great tunes. [LINK DIRECTLY TO BEST PAGE TO SAMPLE MUSIC]

Please let me know ASAP if you are interested so we can RSVP together. Seating is usually limited at these events, so it’s important we get it together right away.

Your Friend…

Just think of all you can accomplish by doing this:

1. Support a house concert series. Hosts have the same challenges as artists do when it comes to promoting events. Many hosts would be thrilled to hear from someone who can bring 4 or 5 people to the event. Ask the host ahead of time (how many seats are available?), and make sure your friends commit when you RSVP for them.
2. Support and meet a talented artist. Make sure you pick an event/artist you are likely to enjoy!
3. Meet a host you might be interested in. These people are usually friendly and social, so don’t feel awkward about visiting someone’s home for a show.
4. Experience a house concert - you can learn so much as a performer from these events, even if you’ve been to one before. It’s a great situation to take notes on how to improve your show.
5. Inspire a friend (that came with you) to put on an event like this for you. I can tell you as a performer, it is so gratifying to see how people’s faces light up when they experience their first house concert.
6. Bond with few of your friends/fans. Choose the non-creepy, sober ones who aren’t likely to embarrass you or themselves. Hopefully, you have a few friends like that.
7. Oh, and have a great time.

.

Important:

Keep in mind, the host and the artist will be BUSY. A quick, polite, friendly introduction is great. Monopolizing their time for a sales pitch is not. Keep it light and brief. Light and brief.

… and don’t for get to carpool. On the way home you can help your friends plan their first show… featuring… YOU.

For some artists, I understand that finding a house concert series near you may be a challenge. We’re working on it. Are you?

Your (non-creepy) fan,

Fran

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