Dear Programmers and Concert Bookers,

Thanks for checking out the web site and all of the new Music & Video! For a note about the songs, the music and the tour, check out: The Big Bio! link. In this note I'll focus on the nuts and bolts details of presenting my show on campus.

I've been touring colleges nationally for many years and I'd like you to know about the tour, the music, the gear, and my passion for not only bringing a truly original music concert to your campus, but also about my commitment to handling the details of the set up and production in a professional and reliable way. I've played more than 2000 schools over the years and I know that between students' study, class and work schedules, and staff's priorities during the working day it's not always possible for you to free up the time you'd like to, to focus on the performer and to produce the entertainment event. And so it's important to me that I do whatever I can to help to make your day go smoothly and to make the event a very successful and truly enjoyable experience for everyone.

I not only provide an excellent sound system, but I even have a cool cart that I use to wheel in my gear. I've found that by providing all of the sound equipment and taking care of the load in myself you can have complete confidence that I'll be ready to rock!, and you can focus on your busy schedule too. We never need to wander around looking for a microphone, or hurry and rush to take care of the business of set up. In fact, I'm often half way set up before everyone even knows I've even arrived, and I actually enjoy helping you out in this way (I even move tables in the cafeteria if no one's around!!!) because I can time my set up, warm up and sound check in the most cool and relaxing way, which helps me greatly to prepare to do a wonderful performance for your audience. I also load in my equipment at least 90 minutes before show time to allow time for an unhurried set up.

I play all kinds of events including noon shows, coffeehouses, concerts, club fairs, vendor fairs, blood drives, late night weekend shows, residence halls, outdoor concerts, class workshops in songwriting and music business and more. I've found that by keeping my volumes down a bit, and not blasting out the room, staff, offices and classes nearby can function normally, students can listen while studying, or hanging out with their friends, and the audience close by can really focus on the words and the music. It works for everyone! And I've found that especially in cafeterias, or for special events like club fairs and vendor fairs, by keeping my volumes low enough that everyone can still talk without shouting, the music becomes a very wonderful addition to everyone's day. In fact, I may be the only musician in America that they have to tell to turn up! In Decatur, IL, recently, they actually opened up the doors to the library near by my performance to let the music roll in. And I've found that a simple, "Hi, I'm David Harris, please let me know if the P.A. is too loud and I'll be happy to turn down," to the cafeteria staff, or the teachers in classes nearby goes a long way toward making the event work for everyone. And, the fact is, if the volume is too loud for the cashier at the back of the room, or the staff in offices down the hall, or the students in class nearby, then it's way too loud for the audience.

These days I've got a cool new show. I write country, jazz, rock, pop, folk, acoustic, songs, and my own unique singer songwriter style, and I play all of these different styles in my live concert. It's a little something for everyone! And I've seen a lot more interest from students when I jump around styles like this. I guess I'm sort of like: The Human iPod. Also, in addition to playing solo I use backing tracks like bass and drums (and a little keyboard now and then) for a part of the show to spice up the sound and free me up to play some pretty cool guitar solos.

I truly appreciate the chance to share the songs I write for all audiences, in all sorts of performance venues from the noisiest cafeteria to the quietest concert hall. And whether it's a crowd of 10 or 10,000, my job is the same, and I love to play music! A long time ago I was doing a cafeteria noon show at a Community College in Iowa and a girl sat with her back to me just a few feet from the stage for my entire two hour concert. She had headphones on the whole time, and she was studying, and she barely raised her head from her book. After the show she came up to me and said how much she enjoyed the music, and she even bought a CD. I realized then that your audience can enjoy the music in so many different ways. I always keep this in mind and I have a knack for knowing how to perform with presence, how to reach out to the audience with just the right attitude and energy, but not too "loudly," not too over the top. In this way then the music touches everyone whether they're sitting nearby and listening to every word, or studying, hanging out with their friends, or just stopping at the door for a few minutes to listen.

From the songs I write and play, to the stories told, to The Grasshopper Joke (which I promise not to tell more than 14 or 15 times, even if everyone's still laughing!), to a reminder to everyone to keep their hearts and heads open to something new and different, like original music, and to remember that their own plans and dreams depend on looking out past what they know for some new idea or piece of the dream puzzle, we manage to have a really wonderful music concert and a great day of entertainment on campus!

Although I live out west I route my tours nationally and I regularly play in all regions of the U.S.A. In more than twenty years of touring I've never been late to a show and I've only had to cancel one concert (four months in advance of the performance!) along the way. My reputation as a dependable performer is as important to me as the quality of the songs I write and my performance at your school.

Thanks for listening and for considering me for your music programming needs on campus. There's more information at The New Music & Video Link!!! & The Big Bio Link!!! and throughout the web site!