~Private Concerts~ ~Private Concerts~ ~Private Concerts~

"Hey! Nice Place you got here. Mind if I play some tunes?" You may recall that this is how I opened my At Your House CD. I offered that greeting, intending to give you the feeling that I was right there in your living room. Well, there is a better way to get that feeling, and that's by actually bringing me in to perform At Your House. I've played backyards in Orlando and Vermont and Wyoming. I've sang in a hundred year old cabin on a rocky island in Maine. I've played in a wide open summer field in Virginia and among the flowers of a lush garden in Beverly Hills. Just in the last several months I performed by a roaring fire inside a winery tasting room, and inside a family's rustic suite overlooking Snoqualmie Falls. I've loved all those concerts, but nothing is better really, than just pulling up a chair among a room full of people sitting on pillows and couches, strumming my guitar and singing to you right there in your own living room. People bring me in to play for all kinds of reasons and celebrations. I played a wonderful house warming in Oakland once, and at a Christmas party in San Francisco. Yes, there have been a few weddings over the years, and I even played a divorce ceremony that was as much a celebration as I've ever seen at any wedding. But most of the time, I think my private concerts have just been a case of the person hosting wanted to share my music with friends and family. I can't think of a higher honor and I've never once played a private concert without feeling blessed and grateful to have been invited into a community of friends and family I might never had known about any other way. I'm always open to hearing what your vision is so that I may try to find a way to create something special for you and your friends. Many times, I offer to create a special one-of-a-kind compilation CD of songs for you - sometimes, with a photo for the cover that you provide - and you may then send it out with your invitations. When the concert is in someone's honor, a birthday or anniversary or retirement or graduation, for instance, this makes a really rare and memorable gift. I usually come early or stay after to visit with folks (if that is appropriate for you) and I always put my heart into a performance that I hope will be remembered fondly by you and your friends for years.       My fee is flexible and can vary depending upon several factors; including the type of show; how many are in attendance; where and how far I must travel; season and date of event, night of the week, etc. Though you might think so, my price is not necessarily less for a smaller crowd. I put all the heart and soul and energy and effort into singing for two people that I do for 200. In fact, I like to play for as many folks as I can. With those variables, my fee usually averages $6000-$8000, plus travel and baggage costs and one or two night's hotel if outside the Seattle area. (in some places I fly in a day early to be cover any weather/ flight delays/ guitar-luggage losses         My fee is not solely for the concert itself, but also for the 2 - and sometimes 3 - days that I must spend away from home and traveling to and from your city. I'm open to considering any offer and to hearing what you propose - even including possible barter or trade for a portion of my fee. You never know what is possible when we get creative. I live my life with that in mind. So feel free to make an offer and I'll let you know if I can make it work. Email me your questions or proposals at: mt@michaeltomlinson.com

Some notes on Private Performances 1. Atmosphere: It's important to me that I am able to sing and tell stories in an intimate way for you. So the way you set up the space for the show can really matter. It doesn't have to be ornate or large, just condusive to people being able to pay attention and hear. We should all be in one room or area if possible, and arranged comfortably enough that we can relax for the show. 2. Sound amplification: If the concert is outside of driving range from Seattle — where I can bring my own amp — and you have an audience of more than 4 people, or if you're choosing a larger room or outdoor area, you may need to borrow or rent a small sound system or amp and microphone and someone to operate it. I have never once seen this become a problem. You or I may know a musician in the area who can help us with any number of solutions. If you do have to rent something from a local music store and don’t know how to go about it, I can usually help you communicate with them. The cost can vary, but is generally in the neighborhood of $150-$300. 3. Time of concert: This is more important than you might think. Of course, I will go with your vision, any time you wish me to play. But I can tell you that a concert is best performed when people are fresh and eager. It's less effective to have me perform after dinner or after people have had a couple of hours to drink. If dinner or alcohol is a part of the event, I highly recommend beginning the concert early, before dinner and before people have had more than half an hour or so to imbibe.  Let me tell you why this is a better choice: At most private concerts, everyone there is not already a big fan of me and my music. Of course, you love my songs or you wouldn't be creating this. But those songs you love have not had years to wear familiar grooves in the minds and hearts of everyone else. So they need me to really actively give them a great concert, telling stories that interest or charm or create laughter, and singing songs that are rich and exciting and moving. This works much better with an audience that is fresh and clear. This is why I usually suggest that music comes before too much partying. There is always time for that afterwards, and I will often stay a while and enjoy the after concert celebration myself. 4. Choice of songs: I'm open to your sending me a list of five or six songs you'd love for me to include in my concert. Sometimes I can include them all, other times there will be only 2 or 3 of those that will work for the performance. There are many reasons that I do or don't play certain songs. Sometimes they are songs that do not work as well solo. Sometimes they are simply not as strong performed live as other songs I choose. And sometimes they require a special guitar or tuning that is not available to me on the road. I do bring two guitars, so I am able to play songs from every era of my recording career. 5. Length of Concert: Usually, for private concerts, I play between 75 and 90 minutes. I'm not at all miserly about the number of songs, I just have a very good feel for how long to play and what will leave the most people happy and fulfilled, rather than tired and wishing I'd stop so the party could begin.  6. Travel and Accommodations: Whatever our negotiated fee, I'll also need you to provide a round trip coach air fare to your city - with baggage costs (I check two guitars) - and one night's accommodations in a moderate hotel. For some concerts, due to arrival times, I am willing to fly in a day early to be certain that I make it in time for your show and if guitars are lost (rare but we can't take a chance) we will have the next day for them to catch up with us. I'll also need you to arrange to have someone pick me up at the airport (unless we make other plans) bring me to your house or venue and back to my hotel, then to the airport for my departure. 7. Deposit: Upon our agreeing on a date for the concert, I will hold that date for you for a few days — allowing you time to send me 1/2 of the payment in advance. Just a regular ol' personal check is fine. Then the concert will be set and finalized — the remainder of my fee to be paid to me in cash the night of the concert.