When Sharon Cameron heard the long-time music venue the Hungry Ear Coffee House was closing in 2011, she couldn’t handle the news.
“I nearly fainted,” Cameron said.
Housed inside the Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Sandy Springs, the coffee house had offered live music for more than 20 years. The idea that the tradition would end worried Cameron and other members of the congregation.
They couldn’t find volunteers to run the operation. So Cameron took on the task of finding a staff. She needed an emcee, someone to book the acts and a person to operate sound.
Bob Bakert, a local singer-songwriter, called the church in August of 2011 in search of a gig. He had played there once before.
“It was one of the best nights I’ve had performing in the Atlanta area. You get somewhere between 80 and 150 people there,” he recalled. “And they sit and listen to every word, every note of your songs. That’s unusual for a singer-songwriter.”
When he heard the Hungry Ear was being shut due to a lack of volunteers, Bakert was quick to offer his services.
“He turned out to be our angel,” Cameron said. “Bob can do all the jobs we needed. I got all three wishes in one.”
The Hungry Ear, which hosts shows the first Saturday of each month, went dark only one month. By December of 2011, it was back in business with Bakert taking the lead. One of the first things he did was ask the church for money to upgrade the sound and lights.
The musicians at the Hungry Ear basically play for free, so many of the past performers were amateurs. But Bakert decided to start shooting high by dipping into a pool of professional contacts he’s made through years. It hasn’t been a hard sell.
“It’s not all about the money,” Bakert said. “Musicians want a great audience to play for. When they find out you have a great audience, they want that experience, that standing ovation.”
Singer-songwriter Jessica Fine, a former Atlantan who relocated to Los Angeles, echoes Bakert’s sentiment.
“There’s just a really good vibe there,” said Fine. “Everyone is there by choice, and you get the feeling that they really want to hear the music.”
So how does Bakert lure the masses? He believes it’s because the Hungry Ear offers unique performances at a bargain basement price of $5 per show.
“A touring band called Montana Skies recently performed here,” he explained. “People got to see a virtuoso cellist perform for $5 in a room that only holds about 100 people with great sound, good lighting and a comfortable environment.”
The cover charge benefits the church and its charitable projects. Guests are also encouraged to bring food donations that are given to the Community Assistance Center, which aids area families.
Cameron said many other volunteers help make the Hungry Ear happen. A staff sells coffee, tea, soft drinks and sweets at each performance. Guests can bring their own food, beer and wine.
During the middle of each event, Bakert announces that the performers are playing for free. He usually takes $10 from his own wallet and drops it into a donation basket before passing it around the room.
“It actually costs me $10 a month to do this,” Bakert joked, “because I’m a volunteer, too.”
Bakert will be passing the basket again on January 5. Four acts will perform including Fine, the acoustic duo of B.J. Wilbanks and Carly Gibson, guitarist Billy Wilkie and vocal group Catatonic.
As the new version of the Hungry Ear Coffee House passes its one year mark, Cameron couldn’t be happier.
“It’s been fabulous,” she said, “and it just keeps getting better all the time.”
8 p.m. Jan. 5. $5. The Hungry Ear Coffee House at Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 1025 Mount Vernon Highway N.W., Sandy Springs. 770-955-1408, www.nwuuc.org.
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