house concerts and 21st century touring

I mean really put yourself out there. Do something waaay outside your comfort zone. Something that excites you, scares you, inspires you and challenges you. Something you’ve been putting off, because you don’t think you will succeed at it. Do it by Saturday.

Make the commitment to finish it this week, even if it isn’t… perfect. Not only will you finish it, you will show it, play it, upload it, blog it, record it, sell it, or whatever proclaims to the world that you finished it. That’s right, on Saturday.

So you only have a few days to:

• Write that song. And on Saturday, play it on the street.
• Book that first concert in your home. And by Saturday, invite people you’ve never had the nerve to meet before.
• Put on those roller blades. And Saturday, get the video camera out.
• Write the first chapter of the book you’ve always wanted to write. And make someone read it. Saturday.

Dare to be ugly. Show the world that it’s not about perfection. It’s about impact. And YOU have the guts to contribute.

I’m going to make a “how-to” video for house concerts, with no budget, by Saturday. There. I said it.

What are YOU going to do? Comment below if you are serious about it. I’ll check.

Your fan,

Fran Snyder
http://concertsinyourhome.com

PS - Do NOT choose something easy. Life=Risk, Failure=Success. Check out the underdog effect.
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UPDATE: Completed 7/1/08. It’s ugly and 10 days late. But it’s done. I’ll tweak it once I get some feedback and get some enhanced lighting. Have a look
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Never miss an opportunity to inspire a house concert.

Step 1. Email a welcome message to anyone who signs up on your email list, with a fun, no pressure house concert pitch, including a link to our “intro to house concerts” video clip.
Step 2. There is no step 2. It’s that easy.

— Thanks to Bob Sima for telling me about this, hopefully it will inspire a few artists to do the same.

Hey Fran,

A success story. Read the thread below. I offer this on every new email add and the success rate is pretty high - I think your video helped!!!

Bob Sima
Singer-Songwriter
www.myspace.com/bobsima (listen/buy/tour schedule)

— On Thu, 6/12/08, Bob Sima wrote:

Subject: Welcome to Bob-Sima-Land!

Hello there Amy,

I met you recently at the a show I was playing and you signed the mailing list. I appreciate meeting you. As I say in my song “Ruby Red Kiss”, “…the golden opportunities of people I meet.” I truly
believe in the power of good people.

So, enjoy the cd , meet me on myspace and write me, I always keep in touch!

I do house concerts. Come see a great house concert introduction video on them and see if it gets you in the spirit!? http://youtube.com/watch?v=iC-9Xbn5Smo

A great New York Times article as well.

Hope to see you very soon!

Peace,
Bob Sima
www.myspace.com/bobsima

— On Thu, 6/12/08, Amy wrote

Bob,

Thanks for the links! I have been listening to your music since Saturday and I love every ounce of it! My husband, Sten, and I would love to host a concert this fall. I will be in touch.

Blessed be,
Amy

—

My advice:
1. Send the email soon after they sign up, while your songs are still buzzing in their head.
2. Suggest a date or time window if you can.
3. Remember to include our links… people usually need a visual to get the idea of a house concert.
4. Repeat. Your fans should hear about this regularly… 6 times a year would be good.

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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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