Conversations with Katie Geddes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Geddes.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Green Wood Coffee House Series, live acoustic music in an intimate setting.

The Green Wood Coffee House Series started as an outreach of First United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor in the mid 1990’s.. I became the director in 2000. Recently the church building that housed us was sold, and I decided to keep the Series going, independent of the church. I have built a concert barn in Grass Lake and we rent space in two Ann Arbor churches, so that we have locations for three different audience capacities.

The Series is relaxed and based on the honor system. No one has to show proof that they purchased a ticket. Snacks and beverages are there for the taking; baskets are provided for food donations. We’ll even arrange transportation if you don’t drive.

Admission is by suggested donation, and this is our published admission cost policy: “Times are tough; money is tight. Music brings comfort and joy. If your budget prevents you from paying admission, please don’t stay away. Just pay what you can or mention that you are on the guest list. It’s just not the same without you!”

One of the things that has always struck me about the GWCH Series is that most audiences consist of as many solo attendees as parties of two or more. I am touched that folks are comfortable enjoying an evening out solo. Many
people won’t dine out or visit a movie theater solo, but they will come to see our performers. Also, we have so many regular attendees that friendships have developed.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We like to keep our suggested ticket price low. Some of our performers are quite expensive to present. Very few events break even, and I have always made up the shortfall out of my pocket, along with some patron angels. Before I retired, this was not a hardship; now I have to be mindful of my spending.

The new concert barn was built with proceeds from my retirement savings and from generous patrons via crowdfunding. The building is not finished; yet it has all the necessary fixtures for presenting concerts (stage, restroom, utilities, sound equipment).

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a semi-retired financial services professional.

Now that I am semi-retired, I spend more time with my musical pursuits, which in the past were a sideline.

I am a singer of folk, pop, country, and gospel music. I give concerts annually at venues such as The Ark and Green Wood Coffee House Series, and also sing often at retirement homes and assisted living facilities. I am the music director at Grass Lake United Methodist Church.

My favorite music is early 1970’s radio pop. Many of the Green Wood Coffee House performers are/have been (many have passed away) bigger names from that era: Jonathan Edwards, John Ford Coley, Stephen Bishop, Melanie, Michael Johnson, Livingston Taylor, Tom Chapin, to name a few. Also, at retirement homes, most of the folks from the Cole Porter/Gershwin era have passed on; the current residents love to hear “Let It Be,” “King Of the Road,” and “Leaving On A Jet Plane.”

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
No apps; I use a flip phone!

I am adept at using Google and youtube.com to prepare for weekly church services. As music director, I incorporate secular rock, pop, and folk into our services along with traditional and contemporary Christian songs and hymns. Many secular songs deliver a Christian message.

Pricing:

• Everything is ‘suggested donation.’

Contact Info:

• Website: https://greenwoodcoffeehouse.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenWoodCoffeeHouse