Rob Mehl: ~House Concerts

WHAT IS A HOUSE CONCERT? My friend Kelly McGuire puts it this way: Playing for a small and intimate audience who are "Ticketed, Seated, Listening"!

A house concert isn't a party although there is normally a potluck before or between sets. It is a seated concert that provides an opportunity to hear live music in a friendly, intimate, home setting. It is a gathering of guests, family, friends (and their friends) in which to share a casual fun experience; a place to meet the artists, become acquainted with their music if this is your first meeting, and learn some of the background behind the songs.

WHY AT A HOUSE? Folks open their home to friends and neighbors because they like to share great music with them. Hosting house concerts allows them to hear musicians and songwriters folks might be unfamiliar with, or reacquaint them with those they've heard at other house concerts and help introduce their first-class talents to you. Additionally, it gives the songwriters a lot of pleasure to share their music and hopefully farther their names in the music world and keep them doing what they do and love.

WHAT DO THE HOSTS GET OUT OF THIS? They receive no economic benefit from the house concerts. The benefit they do receive is the joy the music and gatherings bring to their home. 100% of the suggested donation goes to the performers.

DOES IT COST THE HOSTS ANYTHING? Yes, it costs a few $'s. They may want to rent chairs, provide ice, water and some food, paper and plastic goods. It also costs them time and wear and tear on the house. But the benefits of having a group of people who appreciate the same music they do, far outweighs the money and other costs.

WHAT DOES IT COST YOU? There is a recommended cash donation of $15-$20 per person, depending on the distance the songwriter must travel.

HOW MANY PEOPLE COME? As many as the home can easily accommodate without becoming a fire hazard. Depending upon where the songwriter is traveling from, 30-35 people is usually the minimum it takes for it to be financially feasible.

WHAT ABOUT THE NEIGHBORS? Hosts usually invite their neighbors and encourage them to attend. As a courtesy to them, they plan their gatherings on weekends only, either Friday evenings, Saturday afternoons or evenings or Sunday afternoon. No performance runs later than 10:30 p.m.

HOW CAN YOU BECOME OR FIND A HOUSE CONCERT VENUE? First, find someone with a home that could accommodate 35+ people. Then contact the entertainer you are interested in hearing … oh, like maybe, Rob Mehl … and then determine a date for that performance. As you begin to promote the show to folks, ask them to be considerate and make a reservation only if they plan to attend.