How To Host A House Concert

House concerts are one of my favorite things to do as an artist. They're so simple and intimate. There's nothing like looking every audience member in the eye, finding out their name and their story over some grilled pineapple, and having them all help you load up the car after a night of acoustic music.

If you're unfamiliar with house concerts but possibly interested in hosting one, let me tell you how it works.

It's an acoustic show, approximately 1-1.5 hours in length. No setup is necessary other than just arranging the room to fit people in. I usually try to charge a $10-20 cover (or list it as a "suggested donation") and aim for an attendance of 25-50. Some hosts want to make the event free and take up a love offering. Food is always a good idea. Some hosts want to make it a potluck party, while others prefer to provide the food/snacks themselves (or have a few of their closest friends prepare things). We can make the show private or public.

Now that you're in the loop on how it works, here are my Top 10 Tips For House Concerts, to help make it the best possible experience for everyone involved:

1. Minimize distractions. Get a sitter for your pets and/or children. (Note: if you have cats, please be sure to note this on all advertisements for the show. Many people are allergic, and the last thing you want is someone needing an epi-shot at your home.)

2. Have music playing lightly in the background as guests arrive. Ask the artist what they prefer as a forerunner to the concert.

3. If your door dings when it opens, disable that function.

4. Arrange the chairs in a cluster, if possible, facing the stage. Do not spread the chairs out. This helps encourage an audience to respond to the artists.

5. Make an announcement at the beginning of the concert, asking everyone to silence their phones (vibrate can be just as loud as ringing, so we usually articulate that they should be on silent, not on vibrate). Ask everyone to be respectful during the concert. There will be time for food, drinks, chatter both before/after. But this is the time for listening. In an intimate setting without amplification, all those little conversations and whispers can distract everyone in the room.

6. It is kind to find out about the artist, ask how they want to be introduced, then do it that way. I’ve had all three of my names mispronounced, I’ve been misidentified, mislocated, and misunderstood. You have the power to set the artist up perfectly for this to be a great night. You’re setting the tone for everyone in these few moments.

7. It is kind to ask (in the planning stages) if they need a place to stay for the night. Even if they decline, be sure to ask if they need a private room for warming up, prayer, changing, etc. It would be great if this room had a private bathroom as well. If this isn't possible, it's not a big deal.

8. Outdoor shows can be done, but they are tough to pull off successfully. There are so many distractions – traffic, bugs, etc. If it is outside, it is almost imperative that you have a sound system. Otherwise, the artist risks losing his/her voice from trying to sing in a space where everything travels.

9. It is kind to offer to feed the artist beforehand, but be sure to ask what they like.

Note: If you're planning to feed the artist beforehand, here is a list of things singers aren’t supposed to eat/drink before a show, because the vocal chords suffer: dairy, caffeine, cold beverages. That’s why we usually ask for room-temperature water -- not because we're being snooty. :)

10. It is kind to make an announcement at some point in the show, asking for donations/tips/etc. Perhaps pass a bowl around. You can make people feel more comfortable at this than the artist can, since it is your home.

I hope these tips are helpful! If you're interested in hosting a house concert, send me an email at: tlc@taraleighcobble.com

Have you had a house concert? What was your experience like? What would you add or subtract from my list?

Texas Score Sheet

For the past two weeks, I’ve been touring exclusively in Texas, landing in the following spots: Houston, Highland Village, Dallas, Lubbock, Houston again, San Marcos, Austin, Waco-ish, Dallas again, Lewisville. And here are my reductionist evaluations of these cities and what they have to offer.

Best food: Dallas (Tillman’s)

Best dessert: Houston (Eddie V’s)

Best coffee shops: Austin (Bennu)

Best coffee: Houston (My-T Good Texas Pecan)

Best organic grocery: Dallas (Urban Acres)

Best radio stations: Austin

Most radio stations with too many accordions: Houston

Best place to burst into tears on stage: Highland Village (The Village Church)

Longest red lights: Austin

Worst traffic: Austin

Easiest navigation: Houston (it’s like a bullseye target)

Most confusing navigation: Dallas (it’s like spaghetti)
Honorable mention: Austin (there's a place where 38 1/2 Street intersects with 38 1/2 Street)

Cheapest gas: Lubbock

Best temperatures: Hawaii

Best views: Texas Hill Country

Best skyline: it's a draw -- Austin and Dallas

Best wildflower fields for running through like in movies: none, all are covered in bees

Best food trucks: Austin

Best flatness: Lubbock

Best running trails: Austin (The Drag)

Running trails on which you’re most likely to get lost and subsequently run an accidental half marathon: Austin (a drag)

Best theological library: Houston (Lanier Theological Library)

Best truck stop chain ever: Buc-ee’s

Best Buc-ee’s: I-45 halfway between Houston and Dallas

Best Granola: Dallas (Impact Granola)

Best place to eavesdrop on conversation and awkward dates: Waco (Common Grounds)

Best place to get a flat tire: Highland Village (Matt & Lauren Chandler’s driveway)

Vote For My New Book Cover!

I would love your input on my new book cover.

Please tell me what you think!

Simply reply in the comments with 1, 2, 3, or 4.

1.
2.
3.
4.

The 7 Greatest Sermons I've Ever Heard

I've been wanting to share this list with you for a while. These are the sermons God has used to change the trajectory of my life, or at least the pace.

Why 7 sermons? That's just how it is. Hardly a week passes that I don't think about the truths God revealed to me in these sermons. I see no reason to add more just for the sake of making it a top 10 list.

There's really no order for this, so I'm just going to go alphabetical by pastor.

JOHN PIPER:

Piper's sermons are dense with wisdom. He wastes no words, no pauses. When I listen to him preach, I find that I only absorb about 1/3 of what he teaches each time through. The "Battling Unbelief" series from which the first sermon comes is my favorite sermon series of all time.

1. Battling The Unbelief Of Anxiety

2. Getting To The Bottom Of Your Joy

3. If My Words Abide In You


MATT CHANDLER:

This doesn't even feel like listening to a sermon. Matt's teaching is so easy to listen to that I prefer it over music in my car on most days. And I recommend that you don't skip forward through his lengthy introductions or cut it off before his closing prayers, because his announcements alone carry more theological truth than entire sermons preached in many churches.

4. Heart Matters: The Question

5. The Art Of Prayer

6. Ecclesiastes: Approaching The Divine


TIM KELLER:

Tim was my pastor during my 3 years in NYC. He teaches with gentle authority, unpacking truth in a way that appeals to the intellect of the skeptic. Even after having spent my lifetime in church and in the Word, I had never come to understand this aspect of the fruit of the Spirit until I heard him teach on it. Gamechanger. Unfortunately, it isn't free. This is the only sermon that you will have to purchase. But it's only $2.50. (If I'm still thinking about it nearly 4 years later, I'd say it's worth that little.)

7. Led By The Spirit

I hope these will be helpful for you as you press on to know Him better. Enjoy!

D-Group Update

We've been up to a lot with D-Group. I can hardly keep track of where and when every group is meeting. But I'm posting this here as a means for any interested parties to access the information easily. This is a list of the D-Groups we're rolling out at the start of 2012. There will be more with the next 2 months. All groups are ladies only, except where specified otherwise.

ANDERSON
Monday 7-9pm
Wednesday 7-9pm
Wednesday 7:15-9:15pm (Women 40+)
Co-Ed Married D-Group coming soon!

GREENVILLE
Monday 7-9pm
Monday 7-9pm (Co-Ed Marrieds)
Tuesday 6:30-8:30pm
Tuesday 7:30-9:30pm

CHARLESTON
Tuesday 6:30-8:30

CLEMSON
Tuesday 7-9pm
Thursday 5:30-7:30pm

COLUBMIA
Tuesday 7-9pm

FLORENCE
Tuesday 6-8pm

MACON, GA
*leader seeking members*

MYRTLE BEACH
*leader seeking members*

If you're interested in being a part of D-Group or finding out more info, click here to visit an older blog entry explaining it in more detail.

If you like what you read and want to be a part of what we're doing (currently there are available slots in all our D-Groups), feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email through my website to let me know!

Slack.

Hey friends!

While I haven't been posting here lately, I've been busy writing many things elsewhere.

My new book, Orange Jumpsuit: Letters to the God of Freedom, the third in my Letters series, came out in 11/1/11. Hooray!

If you haven't picked up a copy, there are only 3 places you can do that. Click on the links for whatever your needs may be:

1. Print
2. Kindle
3. Nook

For those who've already read it: if you have 5 minutes (and 5 stars... cough cough) to spare, feel free to leave a review!

Since the book's release, I've been working on my 4th book, Mile Deep: A Practical Guide to Discipleship, based on my experiences with the Discipleship Groups ("D-Groups") that I lead. It's short and easy and very weird to write. Telling people what to do is way different than sharing my life experiences. Hopefully it won't come across as pushy. :)

I hope it will be out in March.

What are you up to so far in 2012?

Every Move I Make

Every move I make and word I speak should amplify the Gospel and serve to advance the Kingdom, even in my rest and leisure activities. So, here's a list of things to hold my actions up against and see if they measure up.

1. Is it beneficially to me personally and to the gospel generally?

2. Does it make God look glorious?

3. Will I lose self control and be mastered by what i participate in? Can I handle it?

4. Am I doing this in front of someone who will stumble because of it? (Sometimes it is best not to exercise your freedom. Christian maturity is laying down your freedom and not demanding to walk in it.)

5. Is it illegal?

6.If I fail to do this will I lose an opportunity to share the gospel?

7. Am I doing this to help other people or am I just being selfish?

8. Can I do this in a way that glorifies God?

9. Am I following the example of Jesus to help sinners be reconciled to God?

Thanks to Matt Chandler at The Village Church for this list. D-Group has just wrapped up our Colossians series from The Village Church, and this is from sermon 19. By the way, sermons 19 and 20 are game-changers.

When I Was In Prison...

I hope your summer is wrapping up nicely! What did you do? Where did you go?

Apart from eating a few too many fried things at a county fair, I had a great summer, working hard at a new project that is both terrifying and exciting. Here's a quick update on that:

NEW BOOK!

I spent much of my summer living in the empty homes of friends and strangers, while they were away on vacation, writing my 3rd book. It's much like my previous books, written from a personal perspective in the memoir style similar to Anne Lamott or Donald Miller -- and it's about freedom from fear, about learning to walk in the fullness of what Christ purchased for me on the cross.

It's called Orange Jumpsuit: Letters to the God Who Frees (hence the title of this blog entry) and it is the 3rd in my series of spiritual memoir / essays. If you're interested in reading part of the introduction, I've posted it on my KickStarter page:

http://www.tinyurl.com/orangejumpsuit

In order to release the book, I need to raise $5500 before Oct 3 through KickStarter. If you feel led to donate or even just to pre-order a copy of the book, that would go a LONG way in helping make this happen! (NOTE: KickStarter requires that ALL the funding be pledged before they draft it. So if I don't meet my goal, none of the money is taken from sponsors, and I don't get any funding at all.)

FALL/WINTER/SPRING TOURING:

I'd love to come speak at your college chapel service, or to your youth group, or lead worship at your singles retreat, or perform a concert at your house. Or whatever works! If you're interested in putting something like that together, please let me know ASAP, so we can get rolling with that! Booking a show is super easy. Just send me an email saying you're interested: booking@taraleighcobble.com

I hope you're all doing well, and I can't wait to see you out there soon!

Much love,
Tara-Leigh
http://www.taraleighcobble.com