Singer Takes His Tour Into Living Rooms

Frustrated with pie-in-the-sky promises from the recording industry and tired of city life, musician Michael Krieger sent letters to more than 1,000 friends across the country and begged them to set up gigs for him in small clubs.

“I’d even do a concert in your living room,” he wrote. He decided that wasn’t such a bad idea, and that launched a six-month Living Room Concert Tour for the Van Nuys-based Krieger. He is leaving at the end of the month and has already booked 50 performances in 17 states.

And, just as he is about ready to leave town, recording agents have suddenly become interested in Krieger’s folksy, personal music and original songs. Before, music promoters wanted him to target his music to specific audiences, make compromises and “even wear hair extensions,” joked the guitarist and piano player who has thinning hair.

Krieger, 30, moved to Los Angeles from Detroit 10 years ago to get a recording contract, but his mellow, soul-searching singing style didn’t sell. Then, he joined the Great Peace March of 1986 and walked across the country promoting nuclear disarmament. Along the way, he and other marchers formed Collective Vision and wrote songs.

“Because of the march, I started writing about social and political issues rather than you-broke-my-heart love songs,” Krieger said.

Along the way, he got to play music with legendary musicians who visited the marchers, such as Pete Seeger, Graham Nash and Peter, Paul and Mary singer Peter Yarrow, who called Krieger a “fine and sensitive singer.” Krieger and his band led 30,000 demonstrators in song in front of the Lincoln Memorial after the nine-month march.

Most of the concerts so far are at the homes of former marchers. Krieger’s first living-room concert was held two weeks ago at the home of Mary Natale, who took Krieger in when the march went through Claremont.

Fred Broadwell of Culver City held a concert in his home after hearing Krieger sing a month ago. The UCLA urban planning student invited 30 of his friends over and charged them $10 each to help kick off Krieger’s tour.

“I’m not an old friend, but the idea of concerts like this reminds me of kinder and gentler days,” Broadwell said. “He’s such a charming guy.”

Krieger gave up his apartment, quit his job as a secretary at a UCLA ulcer clinic and is leaving at the end of the month. He has appearances planned at some clubs and coffeehouses along the way, but most are planned in homes. He is bringing a sleeping bag in case he can’t find a bed to sleep in, and while traveling, he is seeking a new town to call home.

“Los Angeles is not a nurturing environment; it’s hard to retain your humanness,” Krieger said. “I may sound like a crybaby, but I just didn’t want to play the game.

“After a while you really want to get revenge on this city,” Krieger said. “But I’ve managed to turn something negative into something positive.”

Krieger will give a free concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, at the Coffee Junction, 19221 Ventura Blvd. , Tarzana. His final concert in Los Angeles is planned for 8 p.m. Wednesday, at The Living Room Coffee House, 110 S. LaBrea Ave .