Longview WA, House Concert? Korby Lenker

Subject: Longview WA, House Concert? Korby Lenker
From: Lane
Date: 23 Mar 03 - 03:04 AM

I'm thinking of hosting a house concert near Longview, Washington. Its short notice - April 6th and I'm wondering if anyone in the area may be intersted in coming... kind of concerned about getting enought people to make it worth his while... Please contact me if you're intersted... The artist is Korby Lenker... he plays folk, bluegrass and trad stuff on several instruments and does some very nice stuff that you can check out at: www.korbylenker.com   You need to go to the "buying" tab to hear some sound files.


Here's a review on him:
Not only is award-winning singer-songwriter Korby Lenker a real good picker, but he also sings with a voice as smooth as Tennessee molasses. Imagine a more honest Roy Rogers. A Gillian Welch with a hot-picking edge. This acoustic crooner brings his high-lonesome singing from the Northwestern-most county in the US of A. With an ambitious sweep of instruments—guitar, mandolin, fiddle and pennywhistle among them—Korby blends honest songcraft with the subtle ferocity of traditional old-time and bluegrass music. An engaging performer, his natural penchant for play translates into an uncanny ability to connect with his audience: expect to hear tragic ballads, playful fiddle tunes, fast flat-picking, and a lot of great singing from this genuinely original voice from the Pacific Northwest.

Subject: RE: Longview WA, House Concert? Korby Lenker
From: JenEllen
Date: 23 Mar 03 - 02:30 PM

Kinda short notice for me, Lane, but hope all goes well and you have a housefull.
~Jen

Subject: RE: Longview WA, House Concert? Korby Lenker
From: Lane
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 09:29 AM

Jen,
Thanks for your note. Sorry you cant make it. I don't know if this will happen - need to get some folks lined up first. Take care, see you this summer perhaps.
Lane

Subject: RE: Longview WA, House Concert? Korby Lenker
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 09:40 AM

If you do not have a list of local friends and contacts you can phone up and invite while also making it clear that there will be money expected, then no, this will not fly.

~S~

Subject: RE: Longview WA, House Concert? Korby Lenker
From: open mike
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 11:07 AM

Lane, is there a local group of folks who attend such events?
Do you have a mailing list? How will you get the word out?
Is there a music store, or radio station with an acoustic
music show? In Chico we have a folk music society which is
well-established, and we present concerts in houses, halls,
coffee shops etc. on a regular basis. Is there such a net-
work where you are? If not, perhaps it would be a good oppor-
tunity to get such a group established and going. The good
thing about a house concert is that you don't have to pay for
the hall, and the proceeds can go to the performer. How did you
find out about this player? are they in the area, or on tour,
or what? There are 2 weeks to get the word out. Chances are
better that folks show up if you do advance sale tickets.
if folks purchase a ticket they are more likely to show up.
What sort of places exist as ticket outlets? music stores,
and other shops might be willing to sell tix if they are
places that are easily accessible to your potential listening
audience, then they can get them before hand. And if you
have a discount for gettinig tix ahead of time, there is
an incentive for purchase. What other venues for live music
are in your area? is there any other performance that might
conflict in time? will the potential audience base be
divided between other shows happening at the same time?
Is the musician expecting a certain guaranteed amount?
Would there be a contract? sometimes they want "X" amount
no matter what, and at other times it might be a percentage
of what is taken in by ticket sales. Would you have costs
for advertising, (postage, printing)? What requirements
are there for sound? Does the artist bring their own sound
system, or do they want yo to provide one? or will it be
unplugged? Has anyone ever heard of Korby? Have they had
a chance to hear what this person sounds like, has there
been radio coverage, to get the people a chance to listen,
so they know if they like to come to a concert ? Have i
asked enough questions yet? Are you prepared to foot the
bill and consider it a prresent to your self, or your household,
and if others come, enjooy and pitch in to help with the
cost, it will be a nice bonus? Are you prepared to feed,
and offer a place to stay for the performer? perhaps that
would be enough for them to know they get a meal and a place
to stay, if their needs are not great, you could all have fun.
http://www.korbylenker.com/watching.php I see he is playing in Bellingham and Ashland...and is in a band, too, the barbed wire
cutters. Is this person a friend, and willing to do a show on
the way between Bellingham and Ashland for not much of a guarantee,
and happy to know that he has a place to stay while travelling
between these gigs? If it is a case of you both doing each other a favor by planning a performance, go for it! if it will possibly
be a source of bad feelings if the turn out doesn't meet expectations, you might want to hold off. In the words of tony hillerman, (the title of his autobiography is:) something like this: if you don't have high expectations, you are seldom disappointed. Let us know what you decidce and how it goes...anyone who wears orange shoes can't be all that up-tight, however their shoe budget may require high dollars!@

Subject: RE: Longview WA, House Concert? Korby Lenker
From: open mike
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 11:10 AM

if you can find a sponsor willing to foot the bill,
or find another area gig for him (sometimes we
work with local schools to schedule an assembly
if the performer has a program that might be
appropriate for young audiences, educational,
historical, etc.) or a place where he can pass the hat..
just thinking of options here...or even a live radio
appearance to get the word out about himself,
good luck.

Subject: RE: Longview WA, House Concert? Korby Lenker
From: JenEllen
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 11:36 AM

Sent you a PM about some PR---good luck.
~J

Subject: RE: Longview WA, House Concert? Korby Lenker
From: Lane
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 04:10 PM

Jen,
Thanks for the PM info...

All - I appreciate your comments and suggestions... I think this is a low key deal, he'll be on the way from up north to Ashland and will stop by for the evening to play for whomever I can get there. No guaranteed minimum, no promises to him - just a chance for some of us to hear some nice music at my house on the riverside.

Lane

Subject: RE: Longview WA, House Concert? Korby Lenker
From: open mike
Date: 24 Mar 03 - 04:52 PM

then don't let nothin' stop you!!
and you might announce it thru here:
www.portlandfolklore.org
they might be able to help get the word out!
or check these links..
http://www.3rfs.org/info-nw.htm
or this:
http://portland.craigslist.org/eee/
the more the merrier...

Subject: RE: Longview WA, House Concert? Korby Lenker
From: Lane
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 01:24 AM

Refresh....

Any takers?

Subject: RE: Longview WA, House Concert? Korby Lenker
From: David Ingerson
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 06:58 PM

Sorry, Lane, but that's our anniversary and we have a tradition we keep to each year. Hope it goes well!

David