#1
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House Concerts ?
I've never been to a Living Room or House Concert before but a buddy of mine has and thought it was great.
I'm wondering if I should host something like that at my house. I have a 19' X 29' living room. Is that big enough for a quaint house concert? Is it worth it for the musician? Anyone done this before? |
#2
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How will the room sound with 20+ people and a small PA system? Can you move your regular furniture aside/to another room?
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Mike My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com 2020 Taylor 324ceBE 2017 Taylor 114ce-N 2012 Taylor 310ce 2011 Fender CD140SCE Ibanez 12 string a/e 73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string 72 Fender Telecaster Epiphone Dot Studio Epiphone LP Jr Chinese Strat clone Kala baritone ukulele Seagull 'Merlin' Washburn Mandolin Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele antique banjolin Squire J bass |
#3
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I've played as an opening act at a few, attended maybe two dozen, and really like the format. My favourite one is a regular host and they have great folk music artists, home baked goodies and refreshments, seats about 30-35, and is almost always on Sunday evenings so it doesn't compete with other gigs.
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#4
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I've hosted many, and played at many-many more.
I have seen (from a musician's standpoint) the full spectrum of "work" that might go into any specific event...that is, the *quality* of the efforts made by the host to insure an audience, to having things logistically prepared, the whole schmiel. When properly hosted, they can be events that are beyond-great...for everyone involved...host, audience, performers. When improperly planned and executed, I have seen disasters. Like many things in life, you get out of it what you put into it. Hosting events such as this in your-own community can truly provide for some magical-moments all the way around, and I *recommend* as many people as possible consider doing this! HOUSE CONCERTS – From TRRitchie.com...TR passed away this past January after a brief encounter w/pancreatic cancer. I miss him every day. TR was one of the first to write a guide specifically for first-time house concert hosts. Entitled BRING IT ON HOME: A Simple Guide To Producing House Concerts, his little booklet covered all the details: room requirements, publicity, preparing the concert space, hosting the show, breaktime refreshments, CD sales, money issues, artist accomodations and more. The text of the booklet is included below, so read all about it, then consider hosting a houseconcert yourself sometime... Quote:
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Larry Pattis on Spotify and Pandora LarryPattis.com American Guitar Masters 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists Steel-string guitars by Rebecca Urlacher and Simon Fay Classical guitars by Anders Sterner Last edited by Larry Pattis; 07-31-2014 at 02:03 PM. |
#5
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More from TR Ritchie:
Quote:
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Larry Pattis on Spotify and Pandora LarryPattis.com American Guitar Masters 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists Steel-string guitars by Rebecca Urlacher and Simon Fay Classical guitars by Anders Sterner |
#6
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The last bit:
Quote:
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Larry Pattis on Spotify and Pandora LarryPattis.com American Guitar Masters 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists Steel-string guitars by Rebecca Urlacher and Simon Fay Classical guitars by Anders Sterner |
#7
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Thank you Larry ! I'll study the pamphlet.
Yes I can move the furniture around to make a lot of space and I have a good sounding small PA with RCF ART310A spks and a few decent mics (1-AKG 414, 3-EV PL80A, Shure: 3-SM57, 1-SM58, 1-Beta 58, Senn 835) which should cover the need. In my house with a solo acoustic performer at low volume it would sound fantastic. I've done full band practices in my living room. Parking's not a problem I'm on 2 acres and my nearest neighbor is about 200 ft from my living room on either side. My living room also has a 12' ceiling with a 14'+ cookie cutter in the center In fact once I'm finished with my small studio in a metal building out back (14 X 29) I'll have a spare bedroom free that (If the wife goes for this idea) could be used by the guest artist. There's also a separate Jack & Jill bath off that room. This could be very cool. Thanks again Larry. |
#8
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I've attended on in a house with a small attic just south of downtown Ft. Worth. They squeezed about 30 of us in there . . . very "intimate".
My feet were almost touching the music stand, and I could've reached out and strummed one of the two songwriter's guitars. |
#9
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Quote:
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"One small heart, and a great big soul that's driving" |
#10
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My wife actually likes the idea. We need to do some work before this will happen. She hates the LR rugs so early next year hardwood flooring will be installed. I'm liking this idea of hosting house concerts.
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#11
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Yes, house concerts can be fun for all involved. I've hosted a few, co-hosted a few more, and attended, as well. Of course, the first task is finding the artist. Early on, you two need to reach agreement, as to "the money thing." While some artists are willing to simply accept the total ticket sales proceeds, others have a set fee. In the latter arrangement, you, the host, take the risk of underselling the event. Many artists are willing to hold a "workshop" earlier in the day, which is another opportunity to raise funds.
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#12
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Upon reading TR Richie's pamphlet it seems logical for the host to expect to be reimbursed for reasonable expenses relate to setting up the artist's gig. Are you saying that current artists expect the Host to eat those costs and they want "All" of the door?
Now if an artist has a set fee one would have to determine the pre show interest to see if it works financially. My friend used to own a club that showcased artists who hadn't had a hit in a while and I know first hand (I sometimes did the sound and other times opened shows) that there are a lot of really great artists who are very agreeable to deal with and then there are those who's ego's are inflated to the point that they demand more than they could ever draw. In those instances one needs to politely walk away from the deal. |
#13
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I have played at house concerts where the hosts did little more than put out a bag of chips and some cokes...and others have been elaborate events with great care (and obvious dollars) spent on wine & food. Many of these elaborate events are simply covered by generous hosts.
I personally have never taken a penny for any house concert that I hosted. I wanted *my* contributions to the touring artists to extend to covering a nice evening, oftentimes a pot-luck, but with my contributions covering any normal expenses. I would say that only occasionally have I perfromed at a house concert where the host did take expenses off the top...but I certainly wouldn't complain if they did. It's all negotiable, and *you* folks should decide how *you* want to do it, and then make the circumstances clear to any performers that you might contact.
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Larry Pattis on Spotify and Pandora LarryPattis.com American Guitar Masters 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists Steel-string guitars by Rebecca Urlacher and Simon Fay Classical guitars by Anders Sterner |
#14
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What Larry said. ^^
Hosting a house concert is a great way to support the arts, the artist, and expose folks to live music they may not be able to find, otherwise. For me, the time, effort, and "chips and cokes" were an inexpensive feel-good. You also have the opportunity to spend some time with the artist. It's been a few years since I've hosted one, but that's only because a nearby couple took the reins and have done a wonderful job. |
#15
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I converted a 25 by 30 portion of my workshop to a music room-guitar building room. I call it "The Acoustic Barn". Private invitation only, It seats 65, air conditioned and we use the Bose L1 for sound and vocals. We hosted 2 concerts last year and are going to be hosting one in late August and one in September. I took a 10 month break because the road we live on was under construction but is done finally. This gives me an area in the shop to build and show guitars to clients in a clean work environment. This is a rural area so this type of Venue is very popular. No smoking, no phones, BYOB. The Artist has a captive audience and if you cannot sit for an hour or so without picking up your phone you do not get invited back. We ask for a set donation to cover expenses for the Artist and for food. Be very discreet about who is invited and make the place safe, clean and enjoyable and everyone has a great time. Sorry about the upside photos, will work on that the next post.
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