house concerts and 21st century touring

Sign up for this newsletter through RSS or by emailing us here.

Hey Fran, Things are great - we have 2 new DinnerAndSong events planned - Robyn Landis sometime this month and Carrie Clark on Nov 10. This new adventure is truly a “life changer”! ~~J. Borger, CIYH host

“Just hosted third house concert last evening — now I’m hooked. Totally.” L. Lee, CIYH host.

Message from Fran:
Happy Birthday DinnerAndSong!

One year ago, we launched the DinnerAndSong.com website to encourage hosts and artists to put on smaller events during the week. Our main goal was to create more opportunities for artists, and to give more people a chance to embrace the idea of music in their home. You don’t need a big crowd or a big house to do something beautiful, memorable, and productive.

What we didn’t know was that we’d soon see DessertAndSong and BreakfastAndSong. We didn’t know that already successful and busy hosts would use DinnerAndSong to put on even more events, since DNS requires much less prep and time.

But most of all, we’ve now discovered that DinnerAndSong is the best way to develop new hosts, allowing them to grow their audience gradually, and to have the fun luxury of actually turning away guests beginning with their very first event. That’s a much better problem than having to panic and beg people to come.

Happy first birthday, DinnerAndSong. It’s been a great year.

—-

Recommendations - Now Both Ways!

Many of our hosts have indicated that they would like to get candid, constructive feedback from artists who play in their homes.

We’ve now set up a system to encourage artists to give that feedback - but only if that show appears on our calendars. So (hosts) please list your upcoming shows! (30 seconds is all it takes) Check out the great artist recommendations we’ve been receiving!

Hosts and artists can now see prompts for recommendations in the upper portion of their “edit profile” page after login. Please visit this page for more information about recommendations - how they are used, who can see them, etc.

“Let me just tell you how much CIYH has opened up opportunities for my career… House concerts have been the saving grace - allowing me to get my music to open and attentive ears. Just thought I’d let you know that it is working and that your site literally made it all happen. So THANK YOU!” - Mason Douglas

New CIYH Hosts: (artist members can search “member since 2011-09″ using the advanced search.)

30 new CIYH hosts
We welcome
Sarah and Leslie and Martin from AB, Paul from AK, John from AZ, Meghan from BC, John and Erik and Karen and Jacky and Donna from CA, Andy/Diane and Casey from MD, Nash and Mike from MI, Linda from MN, Michelle from NB, Paul from ME, Janet and Randy from NC, Rob from NJ, Kim from OR, Pam and Mary and Bev and Dawn and Bill and Joe from TX, Andi and Dave from VA

CIYH hosts can elect to do DinnerAndSong events instead of, or in addition to house concerts.

As hosts, we are hopeful all of our DNS events are as successful as the last one. We encourage others reading this to join the DNS family, as it is so rewarding.”
–J. Borger, CIYH Host

New CIYH Artists:

(Welcome Aboard!)

Brian Bergeron, Craig Monday, Eric Jennings of Geisha Hit Squad, Jacob Johnson, Jessica Lynne, Tony Barker

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!) Annie and Rod Capps, Bill & Kate Isles, Boho Chapeau, Cady Finlayson & Vita Tanga, Cali Rose, Dan Krikorian, David Leask, Jesse Terry, Kira Small, Muriel Anderson, Rob Drabkin, The Twangtown Paramours, Vicki Genfan

Referring artist of the month:

Sarah Peacock
has become one of the leading promoters of our community and has recently referred 4 of her most talented friends to join ConcertsInYourHome. We want to say “Thanks Sarah” and encourage you to check out her great music.

Schwag of the Month:

As our temperatures drop outside, it’s time to sleeve up so we can shout the great house concert philosophies from the highest mountaintop, or perhaps the nearest fireplace. Our latest Dinner And Song apparel does just that - a long sleeve “Let’s Have It” shirt boldly states our message.

Of course we also have a classic long sleeve “Your Living Room Was Made For Live Music” shirt to meet those needs. Keep yourself warm to warmly spread the great news of your house concerts!

Host Reward Winners!

Congratulations to Tara Feuerborn and David Holiday. 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:

• 5 Most Common CIYH Artist Mistakes
• The Most Effective (free) Tools for Artists to Book House Concerts
• Sponsor an Artist to Join ConcertsInYourHome
• Agent Memberships at ConcertsInYourHome

Our new blog, for hosts only.

• DinnerAndSong (DNS) - a year later
• When artists ask you to write a recommendation
• How well do you know your Host Resources page?
• Announce your bathroom breaks before the show
• Post-concert reachouts to guests
• Filling the room
• An award-winning artist’s view of DNS

Artists and Hosts log in here

Please share this newsletter with people you like. — fran

Thanks to D’Addario and Planet Waves for their kind support of this community.