Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Paget.
Hi Mike, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Playing music with others has always been such a wonderful experience, the connection and emotion of sharing music with others is somewhat magical. Over the years I found that organizing live music performances expanded the community that was able to enjoy the magic. Originally from South Carolina, I started helping a local music series while living in SC, I did that for a few years, then took over managing the series. For 12 years I organized 15-20 shows a year. About 15 years ago I moved to Overland Park, KS. I submitted a proposal to my church, Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church (SMUUCH) to start a music series based there. The church and members were enthusiastically supportive. The first show was June 2015. We now do ten shows each year, monthly excluding July and December. We feature local and regional musicians to open the shows, and nationally touring musicians for the main stage. The Green Guitar Folk House brings folk, Americana, roots, bluegrass, blues, and a bit of jazz to the stage. We provide an intimate listening room, where the audience sits in concert listening mode, quiet during the songs, but quite engaged and connected with the performers. During the shows, which I emcee, I often will stand on the side a bit and just observe the audience. We describe the shows as a community, and it is incredibly satisfying to see people make new friends and connections, and to hear their comments about how much they love the shows. It takes a lot of work, but is incredibly satisfying to see the warmth and relationships.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Our team is all volunteer, it takes 15-20 team members for all of the details for each show. Our goal is to support full time musicians who do this for a living, believing that our lives are so much better for having their talents and hearts perform for us. As the manager, I have to make sure that we have a solid team, especially the sound engineers. Without skilled sound engineers, you can’t easily do a show when you have over 100 in attendance. You’ve got to have quality sound. Occasionally we’ve scrambled for sound engineers when our primary team members, for one reason or another, are unable to be there. But the biggest stressor for me, and the organizer, booker, and manager, is getting a good crowd. The bigger the crowd, the better the pay for the musicians. The better the pay, the more they recommend us to other quality performers! Regarding the fact that our shows are held in a church, I always make it crystal clear that the shows are strictly music, not “churchy.” Most who attend are not members. Our capacity is 230 for a sold out show. We are currently averaging about 150 attending each show.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My career has focused on working with students in K-12 schools who have significant emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges. I’ve been a “teacher-therapist”, clinical school director, state department of education consultant, and private presenter to schools, districts, and conferences around the country. I’ve had wonderful opportunities in my career, and as a “retired” professional, continue to be extremely active, doing presentations around the US and Canada, and writing books that are practical for those who work in schools.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
For my career, I feel a great responsibility to do quality work. When working with kids who struggle, there is no perfect answer to any problem. The work is hard, and optimism is essential. I try to convey my valuing of what teachers and other school professionals do in this incredible work. Not a day goes by that I don’t read or listen or watch material to help me find better ways to say things, and to encourage others who are doing the work.
Regarding my “musical avocation” – Every day I receive inquiries from musicians around the US and beyond who are looking for quality stages to perform on. I am continuously sampling their music on YouTube, with a keen eye for each musicians “audience connection.”
I realize these responses are not pointing towards specific resources. So I will add one that is specific: As someone keenly interested in the challenges for justice and kindness in the political arena, I have found a wonderful podcast, “Left, Right, and Center” that calms me, and revives my optimism!
Pricing:
- Tickets are usually purchased online. Adults are $25. Kids through 12th grade are free. College students are $5. Information, including how to make a reservation, is available at www.greenguitarfolk.org.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.greenguitarfolk.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenguitarfolk/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenguitarfolkhouse
Image Credits
Chris Ediger
