Martin Shears: Home

So most of you know that I travel a lot these days doing gigs between Carmel/Monterey (where I live) to the Bay Area, and Tahoe.  I always seem to be going to or coming from somewhere.  I'm sure some of you can relate.

This week, however, I am home and very happy to be playing some of my favorite local spots.  I'm also working on: a mixing project for an Irish band from Phoenix AZ, a jingle for a local business, rehearsal my School Of Rock students for their showcase in March (more n that later), and preparing for the Rock N Roll Kids fundraiser and silent auction that's coming up on March 4th at the Sunset Center (more n that later too).  So I'm staying ridiculously busy as usual.

Performing is one of my great joys in life but it's only fun if YOU are there.  So please come on out to see me this week and shout requests at me.

Thursday Feb 2nd - Cypress Inn - Lincoln & 7th, Carmel by the sea. 6PM to 9PM

Friday Feb 3rd - Plaza Linda - 9 Del Fino Plc, Carmel Valley Village. 7PM

Saturday Feb 4th - London Bridge Pub - Wharf #2, Monterey. 9PM 

Cheers, Martin.

As a performing/recording/working my a*** off musician, the biggest challenge I face is time.  Time to do everything that's necessary to move my career in a forward direction, time for my family, time to just reflect and think and write new songs.  Not all of these things are direct and immediate sources of revenue.  Oh, did I mention, I've got to make a living in there somewhere too?

I'm not one who typically asks for favours or help.  But all the website creation, facebooking, email updates etc cannot replace a good old fashioned word of mouth buzz.  Nothing is more effective than a personal recommendation.  It's like you're letting them in on a secret.  So here's your mission (if you choose to accept it).  If you are truly a fan of my music whether it be my solo work or my work with The Scones or Ike & Martin, I would like you to simply SPREAD THE WORD.

Here's a few ways you can help:

1.  Pick five people you know that are really into similar music to mine.  For example, If their favourite band is Squeeze or Crowded House or if they're are into singer/songwriters and acoustic music send them a link to my website or send them to my facebook page.  You can copy various links at the end of this message.

2.  Bring a few people to a show.  I play a lot.  Let's make a night of it.  Check the calendar and arrange a night out with some friends.

3.  Recommend me to a venue.  Is there a particular spot that you and your friends frequent that would be a good venue for me to perform either Solo or as Ike & Martin?  If you can convince the owner or manager that you'll bring 20 or more people to see my show chances are they will be happy to book a concert with me.  Then you'll have a regular local spot that I can rotate in my performance schedule.

4.  Host a house concert.  This is one of the best ways to spread the word.  A house concert is a unique experience.  An intimate "unplugged" "storyteller" setting in your living room for 30 plus people.  We have a very specific and effective way for you to present this to your potential guests as well as how to create the right vibe on the night.  You'd be surprised how much fun this is for a very small amount of effort and little to no cost to you the host.  And a house concert creates a totally different kind of fan.  It's an experience that will stay with your guests for a long time.  They will be talking about it to their friends and saying how cool YOU are for giving them an evening to remember.

5.  Finally.  Regular FBing and Tweeting.  These are the modern tools of mass communication.  I do it as much as my time allows, but the "Buzz" only takes hold if YOU take up the baton and run with it. So be a part of the movement.  Here are some links for you to copy.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT

http://martinshears.com

http://ikeandmartin.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Martin-Shears/61048457840

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ike-Martin/197843056903811