house concerts

House concerts are the result of music fans wanting a more intimate concert experience from the artists they discover. These "house concert hosts" invite a music artist or small group to perform a concert in their living room (or other non-traditional concert space.)

House concerts have existed in their present form for decades. Generally, a host will schedule a concert and invite 25-50 friends, neighbors, and co-workers to attend.

The set up for the show is usually simple: move a little furniture around, bring in some extra chairs, and create a little space for the performer. Hosts can also elect to serve light snacks or have a pot-luck dinner before the show.

Guests usually donate $10-15 per person, all of which goes to the performer. Traditionally, the host also offer a meal and a guest room for the night to the artist.

Hosts make no money from these events, but rarely spend more than a modest amount to create a unique concert experience for their friends.

Artists can do quite well with these events, which can sometime allow them to break into new markets before they've established enough fans to fill a club venue.

Much more information, including hundreds of house concert hosts and artists can be found at http://concertsinyourhome.com

People sometimes get the mistaken impression that house concerts are not something that would appeal to artists who've had a lot of success. In fact, there are many hit songwriters and artists who've toured the world's big stages who really enjoy performing in people's homes.

I was looking through our website the other day, and was reminded of how many commercially successful artists who have joined ConcertsInYourHome.com.

Here's a partial list - I'll try to update this from time to time.

• Jennifer Batten - lead guitarist for 3 Michael Jackson tours, and several tours with Jeff Beck.
  
• Buzz Cason - co-writer of "Everlasting Love" and other hits, covered by artists as far-ranging as Martina McBride and U2.
  
• Steve Poltz - co-writer of Jewel's "You Were Meant for Me."
  
• (in fond memory) Robert Hazzard - co-writer of Cindy Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"
  
• Craig Bickhardt - songs recorded by over 100 artists - from Willie to Ray Charles, including 3 #1 Country Hits.
  
• Wayne Gratz - 7 albums on the prestigious Narada label
  
• DC Anderson - cast member of the Phantom of the Opera touring company
  
• Mark Turnbull - Grammy-nominated by age 17, songs for many major motion pictures
  
• Jeff Holmes - of the legendary Floating Men
  
• John Young - major tours with Asia and the Scorpions, as well as Fish and Bonnie Tyler
  
• Kenny Edwards - co-founder of the Stone Poneys with Linda Rondstadt
  
• Wendy Waldman - writer of hit song "Saved the Best for Last" for Vanessa Williams
  
• Freebo - sideman to the stars, most notably with Bonnie Raitt
  
• Thea Hopkins - writer of "Jesus is on the Wire" by Peter Paul and Mary
  
• Tracy Newman - hit comedy writer (Cheers, Ellen, According to Jim)
  
• Kevin Welch - songs recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Roger Miller, Jimmy LaFave,
  
• Chad and Jeremy - several hit songs "Summer's Song", "Yesterday's Gone,"
  
• David Bradstreet - Juno award-winning hit songwriter

Imagine having one of these artists perform in your living room.