March 2011
Monthly Archive
CIYH - The House Concert News, March 2011
Posted by admin on 09 Mar 2011 | Tagged as: CIYH Newsletter
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The aim of an entertainer is to figure out what the audience wants to hear. The aim of an artist is to figure out what she wants to say. Of course, the two are not mutually exclusive, and the happy artist is one who develops a lasting audience of people who want to hear what she wants to say. — Fran Snyder
Message from Fran:
We failed!
One month ago we set the goal of 100 new hosts in 28 days. It’s vital to the future of our artists to create new opportunities, and to find ways to engage with new audiences. Well, I’m delighted to report - we failed. Sort of.
However, in the process of failing to reach that goal, we did break our previous record, and signed up 30 new hosts since the last newsletter. Thirty new hosts could mean more than 100 new opportunities per year for our community of talented artists. It could mean thousands of new people finally discovering the joy of house concerts, and maybe getting inspired enough to create some of their own.
So let’s fail again this month, and set another record! Please share this video DinnerAndSong.com with your fans and friends.
Folk Alliance Recap:
A big thank you to the Jacksons and Lee Herman for helping us host our best conference ever. We saw stunning talent on the main stages as well as our humble little hotel rooms. Thanks to all the hosts, artists and friends who attended our big yearly shindig. You simply must put it on your calendar for next year. Next conference? www.serfa.org in May.
New CIYH Hosts: (artist members can search “member since 2011-02″ using the advanced search.)
30 New Hosts in AL, ALB, AZ, CA (3), DC (2), DE (2), FL (3), KS, MD (3), MO, MT (2), NC, NE, OH, OK, ONT, PA (2), SC, UK, VT
CIYH hosts can elect to do DinnerAndSong events instead of, or in addition to house concerts.
New CIYH Artists:
(Welcome Aboard!)
Barak Hill, Connor Garvey, Danny Mitchell, Dave Stamey, elijah nisenboim, February Sky, Jerry Burgan - Songs & Stories, Mandalyn May, Mark Cormican, Professor Doug Bell, Stuart Michael Burns, The Levins, Tom Breiding
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!) Bing Futch, Clint Alphin, Corey Webb, Craig Werth, Dana Hubbard, Drew Nelson, Hans York, Jennings and Keller, Peter Biedermann, Roy Schneider, Sabrina
Schwag of the Month:
And now we offer a truly original product never before available on this planet. Are you ready to be the first in the world to drink from the new DinnerAndSong mug? It’s such a one of a kind item that there is only one design so far, so collect all 1 several times and you get a matching set! Best used whenever a Dinner and Song event is taking place, when any meals are being served, or a liquid needs containing for pretty much any reason. It’s even ok to put it on your desk and fill it with pens and hi-liters - we simply ask that you keep it nearby.
Maybe you’ve noticed that blasted groundhog has sentenced many of you to a cold March, so ride Winter out with a classic “Your living room was made for live music” long sleeve sweatshirt.
Choose your style and size shirt here!
Host Reward Winners!
Congratulations to Ken Yavit and Dudley “Smitty” Smith. Each host wins a $50 gear voucher from D’Addario and Planet Waves. We’ll look at the CIYH calendars each month and randomly pick two winners from our active hosts. Login and post your events! (It takes about 90 seconds.)
Tips for Artists and Hosts:
- Video - Proof that you don’t suck?
- Is Your Artist-Esteem Low?
- BMI Live
- Email That Creates Thousands of Dollars
- Make Money from ConcertsInYourHome Before You Join!
- A New Email to Pitch House Concerts and DinnerAndSong to Your Fans
- Dave Cool Publishes Nice Conference Prep Guide - Free PDF
- Are Your Events Being Ignored?
- Simple email from artist to fans - creates hosts and gigs.
Join us in Montreat, NC for the Southeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference in May. It’s a great way for our hosts and artists to network with each other.
Please share this newsletter with people you like. — fran
Thanks to D’Addario and Planet Waves for their kind support of this community.
Video - Proof that you don’t suck?
Posted by admin on 08 Mar 2011 | Tagged as: Tips for Artists
Artists!
No one cares that you aren’t tech-savvy.
No one cares that you used to be a successful artist before social media and websites were the entry fee for being a professional musician.
We care that you can deliver, and make us proud to have booked and promoted a show with you. Being talented is not enough. We need a demo.
No. We need a NEW demo. Not a cassette - not an auto-tuned CD, but a video. A video that shows us what you look and sound like - maybe something taped in a living room, even. You, of all people, should know that there are great records made by artists who cannot play or sing live. A great record is just that - great. But it’s not enough to convince anyone with booking experience or a meaningful standard for their choice of acts.
If you will not step up and create this specific tool (video) to demonstrate that you are warm and talented, you only have one other choice. Audition live. Good luck with that.
Yes, video, for MOST of our house concert presenters, can be enough. A smart phone or a flip camera ($150) is all you need to make yourself YouTube friendly, and therefore house concert friendly.
We now require it of all new artists who join ConcertsInYourHome.com
Welcome to the new standard.
—
Pre-emptive comment rebuttal: Some hosts, especially those with a long track record, will rarely book an act they haven’t personally seen. We see you. We understand you. We respect you. But you are no longer the majority.
