Bringing Concerts to the Home is a Win-Win Situation for Artists and Audiences Alike

A few weeks ago, I happened to run into (almost literally) one of my daughter's former soccer trainers. I hadn't seen Dave in several years; during those years, he had gotten married, has an adorable year old son named Stanley, continued training our town's youngest soccer players in the sport's finer points, and also developed an intriguing concept of hosting musical concerts in his living room.

Since 2002, Dave and wife Jen have hosted over thirty musical concerts/events in the intimacy of their own living room. What led them to allow friends, family and, frequently, strangers into their own home? It was their shared love of music - and their frustration with the conditions at traditional, large concert venues - that led them to open their home to musical artists and their fans. "We just love music", said Dave. "We got very frustrated in going to concerts in Philadelphia and Trenton, where people were talking while the show was going on, or not paying attention when the artists performed.

It was also a problem, since we both work full time, when headliners didn't start playing until 11 PM. Some of these venues were also really overcrowded, and used to be too smoky as well. We're both big music fans, and thought it would be really cool to have the shows right here in our house. We like giving people the opportunity to hear some of the same artists that they could hear in Philadelphia in a less-crowded setting. We look at this as a real opportunity for the performers and their fans alike."

"Some of the performers are individuals, some are bands. Many are established names with Grammy nominations and hit records to their credit. We'll often have artists who are up and coming, based on our own musical tastes. We contact them through their managers or their booking agents, and sometimes directly. Over the years, we've had at least twenty performers who've contacted us directly, wanting to play in our house", said Dave. "The artists pretty much fit our own personal tastes, and range from pop, rock, country, bluegrass, and singer/songwriters. Our audience spans a wide age group, from teens to baby boomers, people in their fifties and sixties who've never lost their love for rock."

Who are some of the artists on Jen and Dave's own play lists? Their taste runs to Feist, Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse. Artists who have graced their living room (which seats at least fifty people comfortably) include Graham Parker, Freedy Johnston, Mike Doughty of 'Soul Coffin', and Pat DiNizio of the 'Smithereens'. Their most recent guest performers were 'The Teenage Prayers' and Steve Wynn.

Wynn's career spans nearly three decades in music; he can often be heard on local radio station WXPN. "Steve is an example of the more established artists that we feature. He's been associated with the Dream Syndicate and Steve Wynn and The Miracles 3. Wynn is a genuine rock Renaissance man", Dave noted. (USA Today recently defined Wynn as "a raw and seasoned alternative to top 40's processed junk food. With tough guitars and heartfelt, wry lyrics, Wynn restores the unbeatable balance of brawn and brains to modern rock. He may not be in the commercial forefront, but in the battle for rock 'n roll authenticity, Wynn can't lose."

Donations to attend their in-home concerts are $15 per person. All of the donations go directly to the performers themselves. The Jen and Dave House concert series is a totally non-profit venture, actually more of a labor of love on the part of the couple. "We set out a few snacks and beverages, the evenings are BYOB, and our guests are encouraged to bring some snacks to share as well. Rather than charging admission, all of the money goes directly to the evening's performing artist. "Admission is pretty much always $15, sometimes $20, depending upon who the artist is", added Dave. "Following each performance, members of our audience can buy the artist's CD or tee shirts, and have them autographed by the performer."

"Most of our shows sell out way in advance, so buying advance tickets is recommended. Very rarely, we'll have a few extra tickets available at the door", continued Dave. For information on upcoming shows scheduled at Jen and Dave's house, which is located in the center of Moorestown, New Jersey, check out their web site at www.jdhouseconcerts.org. You can purchase advance tickets there or sign up for their mailing list at the site.

You may also contact them by email at jdhouseconcerts@snip.net. Visiting their site, I discovered a number of links to other couples and individuals who also host house concerts in nearby cities and towns. (Moorestown is located in southern New Jersey.) If this idea appeals to you as a possible host, you might want to ask via email how to get started yourself in your own town. Checking www.craigslist.com is also another source for house concert listings in your area as well.