When I first dreamed of opening The Living Room, I didn’t have any money.
What I did have was a vision.
After years of performing around Philadelphia, I was heartbroken to watch some of my favorite listening rooms—places like the Tin Angel—close their doors. I wanted to create a place where people came to really listen. I imagined worn couches, comfy chairs, little tables, warm lighting, great sound, and a room that felt more like someone’s living room than a music venue.
So…I called a realtor.
I rented an old nail salon in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, and somehow convinced myself I could transform it into the place I’d been imagining. The renovation was overwhelming, expensive, and completely outside my comfort zone, but I was surrounded by generous friends who believed in the dream as much as I did.
Somehow…it worked.
The Living Room at 35 East held only about 40 people, but it quickly became a place where songs mattered. Within its first year, it received Best of Philadelphia and Best of the Main Line honors. The recognition was wonderful, but what meant the most was watching artists and audiences connect in a way that felt increasingly rare.
As the room grew, so did the dream.
I eventually moved The Living Room into a beautifully restored old funeral home (yes…an old funeral home! 😊) just a few doors from Ardmore Music Hall. With soaring ceilings, exposed brick, beautiful sconces, and, of course, my signature couches and comfy chairs, it became an even warmer home for music lovers.
Adjoining The Living Room was the Cricket Café, where guests could gather before the show over coffee, homemade cakes, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Somewhere along the way, I found myself baking cakes and making grilled cheese between performances. (I definitely didn’t see that part coming!)
Over the years, The Living Room welcomed remarkable artists—from emerging songwriters to friends like Vernon Reid, who performed an intimate solo show in my room before heading next door to play with Living Colour at Ardmore Music Hall. Artists including John Waite, NRBQ, Eric Bazilian, and many others helped make The Living Room feel like something truly special.
For six unforgettable years, The Living Room became a home for songwriters, storytellers, poets, artists, and music lovers who believed that listening was part of the performance. Friendships were formed, songs found a home, and a wonderful community grew around one simple idea:
Music deserves to be listened to.
Although the doors have closed, the spirit of The Living Room lives on in the memories, the music, and the incredible people who filled those rooms with kindness, creativity, and heart.
The Living Room may have closed its doors, but it will always have a room in my heart.