It’s time for another front porch concert!  This event—the TJC Spring Jam and Recital—will be the eighth Front Porch concert I’ve hosted (I think), and I’ve learned quite a bit from the others, including the last Spooktacular.

This year marks the fourth Spring Jam, which has become a popular event with my private music students.  These front porch concerts started out as a way for my buddy John and me to play gigs during The Age of The Virus, when nobody was open for live music.  I realized that if I wanted to play in front of a live audience, I’d have to circumvent the hysteria and become the venue and talent.

Gradually, the concept morphed from a self-indulgent concert into a recital for my private music students.  The Lord Has Blessed me—far beyond what I deserve—with a large clientele of private music students (I’m a bit murky on the number at the moment, as I have several seniors graduating tomorrow, but it’s around fifteen lessons a week), so it made sense to offer a couple of recital opportunities a  year for them.

Rather than go through the hassle and expense of booking some venue, I figured, “hey, why not take a good thing and make it better”?  The kids and their families seem to prefer the more laidback approach.  It’s hard to get nervous playing in front of an audience when it’s on a tiny front porch and everyone is eating hot dogs.

I used to take up a “suggested donation” of around $10 per family, and even though it was always optional, I’ve eliminated that entirely.  Sure, if someone wants to hand me some cash, I won’t say no (well, I will at first, but if they persist, I’ll take it), but I realized that this recital is my gift to my students and their families.  All I’ve asked for this year is for folks to bring something if they really want to do so.

Regardless, I am excited for tonight’s recital, and am thankful I have the opportunities to do cool stuff like make my porch into a stage.

Rock on!

—TPP