By Caitlin Kavanaugh
There's no place like home - and for Lake Geneva musician Jon Troast, there's no place like other people's homes.
For the past several weeks, Troast has been crossing the country, hopping from one fan's living room to another as part of his tour, "100 concerts in 100 days." The unusual tour consists of one-hour personal performances for $100. The host of the event can invite whomever they wish, and usually offer Troast a place to spend the night.
"I feel my songs are more inspired by the people I meet than any particular artist. I get these real intimate insights into the major details of people's lives, which you wouldn't get playing at a club," he says. "I love getting into people's homes - they invite families, friends and coworkers...there's this whole big mix and I get a brief snapshot of their life and their social networks."
The personable singer-songwriter even comes with his own pair or Ruby Red slippers, a set of red Reebok shoes that can always be found on his feet when he's performing. "When I look down at my feet I think, ‘I'm wearing someone else's shoes.' It's a good reminder to look for inspiration in other people's stories."
For Troast, the connection is something he's been fighting for since the very beginning.
Before recording his first two full-length CDs, "A Person & a Heart" and "With, To, From," Troast worked for a special needs ministry group doing fundraising development. Determined to do music full-time, Troast cut back on his hours and began actively sending demos to local bars, restaurants and anyone who might be interested.
"So many times I was in the corner of one place, hoping somebody was listening." It wasn't until his appearance on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion," on National Public Radio, that Troast was able to gain a small, but solid fan base around the nation. In an effort to connect with his new fans, he offered the idea of a living room tour.
"I wasn't really sure what to expect when I sent out that first e-mail introducing the idea," Troast says. But soon enough, more than 100 people had volunteered their home for a private concert.
"We weren't nervous at all. The idea of having a stranger sing in our home with a bunch of our friends gathered is the kind of thing we live for," says Andy Fletcher, from Hughson, California.
While the 75 guests that showed up at the Fletcher's house party enjoyed the performance, the highlight of the evening for the Fletchers was the interaction between Troast and their family. "My wife loved having another musician in the house. A few of our boys were able to play guitar with him. It turned out to be a day of making great memories for everyone."
Judi Dalton, one of the 75 people to attend the show, noted how concerned Troast was with his audience, despite the show being moved to the family's porch due to size. "The best part was being able to connect so personally with Jon. He's really engaging and personable," she says.
While capable of pulling off these intimate shows, Troast admits it isn't always easy. "It wouldn't work for everybody," Troast laughs. "You have to be flexible. Sometimes, I'm sleeping in the middle of their living room when they get ready for work in the morning."
But Troast loves every second of it. Whether running around with kids from a host's day care or witnessing a pastor prepare his Sunday-morning sermon late at night, Troast tries to keep things "quirky" and personal.
Check out jontroast.com for updates, free downloads and a tour list.