Information for Musicians

Information for musicians considering performing at the JohnnyLingo concert series: 

In January 2024, I started hosting concerts at my barn for friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to attend and enjoy great live music. These are private events for people I know and their friends, although friends of friends are also welcome. So far, the shows have been amazing and it has been wonderful to experience live music in an intimate setting with people I (mostly) know. 

I've hosted shows with a single performer, duos and small bands. Most of the performers have been local musicians that I've connected with by networking. But, this venue would be very well suited for musicians that could travel through St. Louis between shows and that is able to add another show to their schedule. 

Here is some information about the concert series to help musicians understand what to expect when they are considering performing a concert for my music series. 

Money: 

The musicians get paid by audience donations. I am not making any money hosting these concerts and I will not collect money from the audience. Instead, the audience will give donations directly to the musicians.

• I am able to personally guarantee that the musicians receive a minimum $500 for the show. That is, if the audience donations total less than $500, I'll make up the difference. 

  • All shows so far have exceeded this minimum.

  • The amount brought in at the shows has ranged from $560 to $1200. 

• I will work hard to ensure a good number of people attend the shows so that the musicians can expect to receive more than the minimum.

  • I will remind the audience to donate directly to the musicians and will have a collection bucket/basket available

  • The musicians should also ask/encourage the audience to donate 

  • The musicians should make it easy for the audience to pay them including providing information for electronic payment (Venmo, Paypal, Cash App or others)

    • Please bring business cards or fliers with QR codes for your Venmo and PayPal to make it easy for people to pay you. We’ll distribute them at the tables throughout the room .

  • The musicians may wish to consider other ways to encourage the audience to contribute such as having merchandise for sale

  • Musicians may wish to consider ways to encourage audience members to follow them on Spotify, Facebook or other social media apps

The vibe:

• The audience is coming to listen to music, not to attend a party, and they really listen to the performance.

  • The audience is very interested in hearing the musicians' stories. 

  • The musicians should feel free to talk about their music, their process, their life journey or whatever else they want between songs.

• The audience will mostly be adults but there will be some teenagers as well. Maybe even a few children. 

  • Attendees may bring their own alcohol but they are discouraged from sharing with others. Most don't drink.

• People are sitting around tables with a few in chairs along the walls if attendance is high. 

  • People may get up and walk around or get snacks during the show. 

• A show is typically has two sets with a short intermission between sets or another format that creates breaks for people to talk.

  • For example: 

    • First set: 7 pm -7:45 pm. 

    • Intermission (People will want to talk with the musicians during the intermission.)

    • Second set: 8:15 pm -9 pm

  • Some people in the audience may leave after the first set because they need to get home for kids or because they have work in the morning. So, musicians should anticipate fewer people for the second set. This ISN'T an indication that people don't love the performance. I've had many people that had to leave early tell me they loved a performance and that they appreciate being able to attend and not feel pressured to stay up late. 

The performance space:

• The performance  space is in a sports barn that is insulated and heated. 

  • But, I don't have air-conditioning so summer events aren't possible. 

• I've built a small stage with some simple stage lighting. 

  • There are temporary angled walls on either side of the small stage that create two private spaces beside the stage.

  • The acoustics are really good. The room doesn't echo.

  • I have a receptacles (plug-in spots) all around the stage. 

• I do NOT have a sound system. 

  • So, you will need to bring your own microphones and speakers

  • There is power for sound equipment.

• The audience will be mostly be seated around tables

• There is a diagram below showing the room layout I've been using for shows. 

Expected attendance:

• So far, the lowest attended show had 35 and the largest had 70.  

• Most shows have about 50 in the audience.  

• My barn and house (where the bathrooms are) could accommodate an audience of up to 100. If you would like to try and generate a larger audience, we can discuss what that would involve.

Musical Genres and other preferences: 

• I'm interested in having a variety of different musical styles throughout the year. 

• I prefer performances with multiple musicians but solo artists may be a good fit as well. 

• I don't want performances that are only instrumental - I love the lyrics!

• I want performances that feature mostly the musicians own songs (i.e., not tribute bands). But, a few covers can really complete a great set and I love covers where the artists adds their own style to make the song their own. 

Staying at my house/accommodations: 

If you are traveling though the area, you can stay at my house. My wife and I can comfortably provide accommodations for 1-3 traveling musicians.

• We have two spare bedrooms available and we can setup a third bed in our basement living area. 

• We can provide dinner and breakfast

• We have a washing machine and dryer available 

• Things to know: 

  • We have pets, 2 dogs and 3 cats.  The dogs are not allowed to wander in the house.

  • We don't smoke. So, if you smoke, you'll need to go outside for that. 

Other comments: 

• I'd love for musicians to consider interesting formats that engage the audience

  • Are there ways to involve the audience in some of your songs?  

  • Would you be willing to have a high-school student perform with you for a song or two? 

  • Do you have a song in your set that everyone can sign along with? 

  • Can you create or improvise a new song based on audience input? 

  • Is there a dance the audience can do to one or more of your songs? 

Where:

• I live in Wildwood, Missouri. 

• My house is in a subdivision with properties of 3 acres or more.. 

  • This feels rural to city people and many suburbanites. 

  • It feels like the suburbs to people who grew up in rural areas.