I live in Austin, TX, where I've raised two kids. I'm a military mom, active on support boards, an avid fan of music in my town, and I give house concerts in my home to support it. To rsvp for a concert: webbhouseconcerts@yahoo.com
George Ensle with Stephan Paetzold at Webb House Concert's Singer/songwriter Night at Ruta Maya July 16th, 2009.
A wonderful night of songs and singers, Mo McMorrow, Jana Pochop with Emily Shirley and DC Bloom completed the cast...plus a great song circle followed...Bob Cheevers, Kit Holmes and Will T Massey joined in!
This is a repost from Visible Voices...but I have folks that ask questions about house concerts and this MAY answer a few! please use the comment section to ask questions, and I will be delighted to respond! There are also many, many sites on the web that describe how others do their house concerts, as well as Fran Snyders House Concerts in Your Home site.
They told me I could do it. "have a house concert" they said...my musician friends wanted to perform...my other friends were willing to listen!
First thing you always think when you hear the words house concert in relation to your own home is "my house is too small." Let's get over that myth right now. One thing music does in a small space is create intimacy, a mood, a magic that makes you sometime realize that you are holding your breath so that you don't miss the next lyric...and then realize, you are NOT in a bar, or a restaurant...no clanging, no voices, no kids at the next table at full pitch...it's the music. And in a house concert it surrounds you. Your house is not too small.I work in catering and event planning, so granted, I am a little more versed in the ways of venues, musicians and logistics of things like this...but this is MY house! so, I do get a little nervous. Actually, usually it's my back yard...I have neighbors that have no problem pulling up a chair on their back porches, popping a beer and listening along with those in the audience. The little rise in the yard by the fence is the "stage" and I drag every chair I own, and many that my neighbors own to the yard, all in rows. The musicians use small sound systems...not my problem, their gig. At my house concerts, I do a potluck... altho many venues only offer non alcoholic drinks (I usually do a fruited lemonade) and maybe some snacks. I do my concerts on Sunday, so my catering friends bring leftovers from Saturday night! as well as generous guests fill in the edges with other goodies. If a guest wants to enjoy wine or cold beer, bring it along, not a problem.
I set the buffet in the house...the bar as well...on the porch is the merch table, each artist has CDs, T shirts etc to sell. I ask for a donation of $10-15, more if you can, less if you can't...and all the money goes to the musicians. I've been setting up a tip jar, I'm thinking of collecting at the door, then it's done.Base rule for house concerts: It's about the music. Conversation in the audience is just not allowed...at my concerts, in the house, with the door shut, you can eat, chat, visit...the backyard is music only. We take a break in the middle, then encourage everyone to return to their seats before the next set starts up.And the music! it makes it all worth while! clear lyrics, sweet melody... stories about the songs, why they were written...who inspired the thought....harmonies flowing over your head and into your heart. It's a miracle way to hear our wonderful Austin musicians, there is nothing else like it. We are the Live Music Capitol of the World...and this is the best way I know to support it.
My first concert featured Donna Frost, from Nashville, TN opening for Austin's Byrd & Street, a perfect combination! They've done this show twice so far, with wonderful song circles following each one. Webb House Concerts has followed with Cowboy Johnson, Amanda Pearcy, Steve Brooks, Paula Held...and a couple of song circles just because we could...next up is Ladies w/Lyrics...four women with their guitars and their voices...Donna Frost, Amanda Pearcy, MJ Bishop and Leeann Antherton! right in my own back yard!
Leeann throws one heck of a house concert herself here in South Austin...the Full Moon Barn Dance!
May 17th George Ensle comes to our backyard before heading to Kerrville to perform at the Folk festival...with Tom Tranchilla opening the show....then sit back for two sets by George! George Ensle has a touch of his personal empathy for others in each of his songs, bringing to life everyday folks with love and compassion...allowing us all to feel part of one another, but still celebrating our individuality. In today's tough, tough times...a reviewer wrote of George "Ensle paints with the brush of hope." I just like the way that sounds. He also was 2008 Texas Music Award nominee for Singer/Songwriter...he's co-written with Blaze Foley, Hal Ketchum, this man has talent! Still some spots left, do not miss this one!!
June 14th! Kathy Street and Tommy Byrd will join me in welcoming Taylor Pie to South Austin! Byrd & Street, w/Greg Whitfield, will share the bill with Pie and my old friend, Eben Wood. Besides the obvious enjoyment of hearing the song writing skills of Tommy and Pie, I am so looking forward to hearing Greg and Eben show their talent on their guitars!
Taylor Pie and Eben are from my home town of Corpus Christi...back in the day when Pie was known as Susan Taylor, from the Pozo Seco Singers ("Time") with Don Williams and Lofton Kline..and Eben was gaining his reputation as "the best" on the Texas Gulf Coast, playing with most of the local bands and having musicians and fans drive in from all over Texas to watch him perform. The 40 years since has not dulled Pie's voice, her song writing integrity or her smile...and Eben uses that unique finger picking of his to bring more than his share to any show!
Byrd & Street, nominees for the Texas Music Academy Duo of the Year Award, as well as pulling in all the recognition that a songwriter of Tommy's caliber does (this year a finalist at Kerrville Folk Festival for the New Folk award) have developed a style unique to them, with harmonies equal to the lyrics. Lyrical stories come to life, with the amazing talent of Greg Whitfield's guitar to lead and follow the threads of the story line. Having the opportunity to hear this duo in a house concert setting is a special treat to those of us who fight the restaurants and bar noise so often to catch a gig!
For a full size version of this video, check our myspace This version didn't shrink to fit...
Save a date:
Greg Whitfield, July 26th! Greg is a very talented singer/songwriter in his own right, and will share his tunes and his songs with us!We are all looking forward to a whole night of Greg showcasing his work!!
Korn Poneys, aka Suzee Brooks and Dan Hardick...Sept 20! These two are part of Fingerpistolwho have a CD that I have truly enjoyed, but not as much as hearing these two in the WHC song circles the last couple of concerts! I CANNOT wait to hear them do a whole show!
email Webb House Concerts at webbhouseconcerts@yahoo.com for more information and a map! We love kids, but none under 12 for these performances! Potluck, if you want...and non alcoholic drinks provided, but feel free to bring your own adult beverage! Just remember, it's a low alcohol concert event, not a party. We LISTEN!
It was a lovely day...all day long and it just got better and better! MJ Bishop, Amanda Pearcy, Leeann Atherton and my bud Donna Frost! how much talent can four women throw at an audience?
Donna makes to Texas twice a year..Austin, Houston, College Station...and MJ is on her Americana Tour...headed around the country with two stops in Texas, this one and the Kerrville Folk Festival. Amanda is becoming a favorite at venues all over Austin and she and her husband, Cowboy Johnson, have been a big support to WHConcerts! Leeann Atherton is a seasoned house concert performer and hostess...her Barn Dances at her home are legendary...as is she. I have more video, I'm gettin' to it fast as I can...and will post more sometime.
This was just so much fun, we had a great audience and a terrific song circle following, with Amanda's son stepping up to join the pros, and doing a hell of a job. Dan Hardick from Fingerpistol, Tommy Byrd and Kathy Street, Mo McMorrow, Sandy McLain, Cowboy...it's always my favorite time..relaxing after being the hostess!
<
Thanks to all these lovely talented women...and the audience that shows up every time to listen and support our live music in Austin, TX...
Next one up? George Ensle on May 17th!!! Tom Tranchilla is opening! George on his way to Kerrville...
After Kerrville, on June 14th, Byrd & Street, with Greg Whitfield will help us welcome Taylor Pie and Eben Wood to our south Austin house concert venue. Taylor Pie, formerly Susan Taylor all those years ago in Corpus Christi when she was part of the Pozo Seco Singers with Don Williams and Lofton Kline, is now living near Nashville where she is putting together her own venue. Eben, our old high school bud, is an amazing guitar player from the day, I cannot wait to see Eben and Greg Whitfield on the same night on my stage at Webb House Concerts. Pie's voice is even better, if that's possible. She is a phenomenal song writer, songs that can be interpreted in very personal ways, making her lyrics part of your life. Pie and Eben will be in Fredricksburg at Hondo's the week before for a CD party for their CD recorded live at Hondo's last year. She will be at the Bugle Boy in La Grange on June 12.
Speaking of that, this weekend, on Friday April 24th, Byrd & Street, w/Greg Whitfield will be at the Bugle Boy as well. They will be on their way to Palestine, TX for the Texas Music Awards where they are nominated for Duo/Group of the Year. We wish them all the best on that Sunday! Tommy Byrd is a finalist in the New Folk songwriters contest at the Kerrville Folk Festival, performing on May 23rd.
If you ever have the opportuntity to hear any or all of these Ladies w/Lyrics...do not miss it, each has a talent and voice to share with you....
that's the note I wrote to myself over my busy music days in March...trying to not forget the blog thoughts I had..but no worry here. A miracle.
My nephew is a brain injury survivor. In a moment of a car crash, lives changed and one ended...and Leland ended up in brain injury rehabs across our state. The Brown School, right out here on Dittmar, in the Bluebonnet unit just 5 minutes away was his home for several months back then. I've written about that time in other blogs, today I write about the music, and how it heals.
At Christmas, Laurie Freelove, a local musician, asked Byrd and Street to do a Christmas carol show for the kids at what was the Brown School, now Texas Neuro and I tagged along. Just driving down that driveway was more emotional than I realized it would be, so many days I made that drive, sometimes four or five times in one day, sometimes alone, sometimes with Matt..even Boomer came along sometime. He was a big dog with a big heart and he could take the big pets and love them.
The kids in the audience were young to old teens...some brain injury survivors, or other neurological diagnoses. And they love to sing! I'm not sure Tommy and Kathy expected to do Santa Claus is coming to town four times, but hey! it was a hit and it was a very enthusiastic sing along every single time.
It was a natural thing to ask Donna Frost to sing for those kids...she's as real as they come and those kids would love her...so one Friday afternoon we headed out there..driving down that drive, we spotted the kids in the bluebonnets across those rolling hills...getting spring time Texas photos. Soon, she was up in front of them in the little art and music room. Bless her for learning words to a George Strait song the night before! and I Love Rock and Roll! the enthusiasm was contagious, and loud! Drift Away, truly beautiful voices, I have a video of it, but for privacy reasons cannot post it.
And our miracle...a dad coming all the way from Alaska where he works, to visit his son..about 12-14 years old, I guess. Autistic, I assume. Very to himself, but trying. Dad, sitting next to him, keeping his hands in his lap, when you could feel how much he just wanted to hug that kid..but he knew the ropes. He sat and the kid sat...and they listened to Donna's songs. And a toe started tapping...she connected. and time passed and all of a sudden I looked over...and that boy's arm had come up around his dad's back...and didn't leave. He reached out. He held on. And when that dad shook my hand and thanked us for coming, he was close to tears as he told us it was the best visit he'd had with his son in quite some time. He reached out. He held on.
I saw a miracle today, I wrote that night. Reminded myself of all the miracles I had seen at that school and other rehabs as we tried to bring our Leland back to his old self, and learned how to love his new self just as much.
Music heals.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Well, time is aflyin'....keep thinking I need to do the blog...and more stuff just keeps happening! Life just gets in the way...
Okay..SXSW...I have a somewhat perverted view of SXSW...it's spring break, my regular catering work dies and I hit High Beam Events to party manage for them. Their client is SXSW...do the official parties from day one. So, I started with a breakfast with folks from the UK here for Interactive stuff on SXSW, then on to the Lanai for Custard Records. Note to self: remind all to go to the Lanai..absolutely one of the finest, most professional bar staff and team I have ever, ever worked with! Just amazing! My final gig with High Beam was the underage bands..a showcase of about a dozen bands at Momo's. And, yeah, I loved those guys from Momo's as well, because they did not have to kill one underage "I'm with the band" kid. Not one. Now those folks are pros! Truly, these kids were mostly sweethearts...one the son of an old friend from back in the day in Corpus Christi, when all we knew were underage and barely aged bands. So, it was pretty interesting, over all. Check out some videos from Momo's that day. Some really good talent there, and some kids that make you remember what life was about when all you had was a dream and your future in front of you.
Here at home, I had a young man from Seattle come to board while he ran himself all over SXSW, both as a volunteer and a fan! His name is Rich, and he was a darlin'. Certainly here in South Austin, both my little dog and I thought so! I think my Rosie thought I finally had brought her the buddy I keep promising her...and by the line up of toys she left outside Rich's door every night, I'm sure she thought he was there just to play with her. Introduced Rich to Tommy Byrd, and they had a great visit...Tommy's house on a bad day is a treasure trove of stuff to pursue, and a young musician like Rich had a blast, taking photos and talking music with Tommy. Then Rich went on that schedule only the young can do...late nights out and up early mornings, to volunteer and go hear all that SXSW has to offer...a day off and then Rich went off to New Orleans for a few days, then back for supper and a new song he shared with Donna Frost and me...and back to Seattle! Nice guy, I hope he drops by again the next time he's in Austin. I have a feeling he'll be back...it's a young musician's dream town.
I did get out and about to hear some music during SXSW...I'll post it later... SXSW can be good for Austin, but not necessarily for our local musicians, but all in all, I just don't know if there's such a thing as too much music.
More later about the house concert, and Donna's special time on a wonderful day with some kids that just deserve the attention she gave them...
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Take a little South Carolina charm and add a big Texas heart and meet Leeann Atherton, one of the nicest and friendliest Texas southern belles you would ever want to meet who is now one of Austin's own singer/songwriter treasures. This lady can sing it all, all night long and still have audiences beggin' for more! We are so happy she's in the debut performance of Ladies with Lyrics!
A native of Nashville, Donna Frost is the real deal, Diverse in her music, from Nashville punk to Americana... she’s clearly fond of telling stories relying on her voice and her guitar talent to convey assorted messages of love, loss, life and hope. Her semi-annual Texas tours has made her a WHC regular performer and fan favorite.
"Her music is incredibly full of beautiful, haunting Texas soul, it aches and soothes at the same time. ." is one description of south Austin's Amanda Pearcy. She has stories to tell, and her poignant lyrics lead you there with sweet emotion. This woman has a heart as big as Texas, and a smile that can light the world!
"Superb poetically written lyrics which blend beautifully with her silken honeyed voice". MJ Bishop is an acoustic folk Americana artist who has performed steadily since 1998 in and around Seattle and across the US...Our venue is one stop on her Wild Blue Americana Yonder Tour 2009!
Singer/songwriter Ken Gaines listened when I pitched this concert at his performance at another Austin house concert, then came to me and told me that this was a phenomenal lineup of women singer/songwriters! I already knew that but I like being told I'm right!!
I hope you join us in my backyard to hear each one of these talented women, we're so looking forward to Sunday March 29th and sharing it with you. Karen
Potluck like always, but not required! Bring your adult beverage of choice, we provide non-alcoholic drinks. We love children, but for this concert, no kids under 12 please!
We're suggesting a $20 donation for this one, more if you can and less if you can't..all donations go to the musicians Merch tables and CD's for each artist available.
Gate will open at 5, music starts around 6. Open song circle after Ladies w/Lyrics performance.
RSVP Please! map and directions available email webbhouseconcerts@yahoo.com
Introduced Rich to Tommy Byrd, and they had a great visit...Tommy's house on a bad day is a treasure trove of stuff to pursue, and a young musician like Rich had a blast, taking photos and talking music with Tommy. Then Rich went on that schedule only the young can do...late nights out and up early mornings, to volunteer and go hear all that SXSW has to offer...a day off and then Rich went off to New Orleans for a few days, then back for supper and a new song he shared with Donna Frost and me...and back to Seattle! Nice guy, I hope he drops by again the next time he's in Austin. I have a feeling he'll be back...it's a young musician's dream town.
