Dunno how things are done in the UK, but here in Seattle, in the U.S. and A.—

In October of 2007, when Bob (Deckman) Nelson and I did our "Reunion Concert" (we worked as a duo in the late '50s-early 60s), we performed in Central Lutheran Church. No problem.

My wife and I are members of the church (she attends regularly, I attend fairly often). Central has superb acoustics. I simply asked the pastor if we could hold the concert in the church on the specified Sunday afternoon. Since Barbara and I are members, we are permitted to use the church when it is not otherwise being used, with the pastor's approval. And no charge!

Heck of a deal! It is customary to slip the custodian a gratuity because he has to turn the lights on and off and do any necessary cleaning up after the event.

I'm tentatively planning to record as much of my repertoire as I can (straight voice and guitar, no drum tracks, overdubbing, or other hanky-panky) and maybe issue some CDs. All public domain material, by the way. Central Lutheran has a nice natural reverb, and recordings I've heard made there sound excellent in terms of ambiance, without any electronic messing about. I have a bit of computer-centered recording equipment, and it would be no problem lugging it down to the church and setting it up.

No "recording license" necessary. And I'm sure Pastor Cindy would tell me to go ahead and use the church any time it's not otherwise in use.

As long as I don't leave a bunch of empty beer bottles sitting on the altar.

Don Firth