The wall in the Carricks? basement was mostly bare two years ago when the family hosted its first home concert.
Now it is filled with hundreds of posters, pictures, and souvenirs signed by artists from all over the county.
‘The Milroys, Annie and Rod Capps, they’ve become my closest friends ? they’re ready to burst out onto the national scene,? said Craig Carrick, mentioning a few of his favorites.
‘The Salt Miners blew everyone away. The Kennedys out of Boston are an incredible group.?
Craig and Nicki Carrick are hosting a new season of house concerts, pairing local and nationals acts for an audience of up to 60, seated in folding chairs in their basement.
‘I like that format ? the local group’s crowd comes in and joins the national act’s group, and makes a big audience, a double whammy,? Craig Carrick said.
With sound and light systems permanently in place, artists can set up quickly and conveniently.
‘We want to be like a rock concert, make it easy for the artists,? he said. ‘Come in, make a sound check, and they’re ready to go.?
Partner Larry Ahlborn set up the sound system and arranged for live broadcast on the Internet, through the Web radio station www.a3radio.com of Ann Arbor.
‘It’s pretty cool ? we can have 50 people listening to the music here, and thousands more around the world,? Carrick said.
‘We take pride in our sound ? (Ahlborn) worked hard to add more technology.?
Upgrading stage electronics is an ongoing process, he said.
‘It’s always evolving,? he said. ‘I’m looking for some good, quality mics ? we need them for the radio broadcast. We have a reputation to keep up.?
The Sept. 16 concert featuring Brian Vander Ark, singer and songwriter with the band Verve Pipe, is sold out. A Sept. 14 youth concert featuring Back Seat Goodbye is filling up quickly.
Concerts usually take months to prepare, although it can be done in as little as four days.
‘If the right opportunity comes along, we try to take advantage of it,? he said.
Carrick home concerts feature many musical styles including Americana, roots, blue grass, and rock and roll.
‘A melting pot, musically,? he said.
The Carricks hosted their first home concert in October, 2005.
‘There didn’t seem to be anything like this around here, where you can sit front and center and listen to people who sing and write music,? he said.
They offer an alternative to smoky bars ? no smoking in the house ? and concerts don’t run late.
‘Audiences in Clarkston are hungry for something like this,? he said. ‘It’s a thrill ? you can usually meet the artists, get pictures, autographs.?
Admission is a donation of $10-15, most going to the artists. The Carricks provide pizza, pop, and snacks, and concert goers can bring more food and drinks if they want.
For more information, call 248-394-0113.