Most musicians travel to and from states and countries to lounge in luxury hotels and rock out in huge venues. However, Christian singer and guitarist Jon Troast drives himself around America to perform in living rooms, then crashes on couches for the night.

After arranging a concert over e-mail, senior Daniel Hopper and his sophomore brother Josh received the opportunity for Troast to visit their home, Feb. 8. The Hopper family and a few guests enjoyed an evening of worship music from Troast’s guitar directly from their living room.

The singer slept in Hopper‘s room afterwards, ate breakfast with them, then continued on his way to the next stop. While food and lodging are not a required part of the tour, fans often volunteer to host him.

“I’m very well taken care of,” Troast said, “people feed me, sleeping arrangements vary: sometimes I’m on the couch or in the guest room. It’s amazing how blessed I am.”

Laura Hopper enjoyed hosting the singer last year and was eager to invite him back and spread the word.

“Jon Troast did come to our house last fall, for a similar house concert,” Laura said. “It is very fun to have a performer come give a concert in your living room. Not something you do very often. We like to support him by introducing others to his music. We all like it in our family, I think he has great things to say, and writes beautiful songs.”

As Troast tours from house to house, he is able to observe different lifestyles and catch a glimpse into the lives of people from many different cities.

“Each concert is totally different, but that keeps it fun,” Troast said. “It’s a great way to see the country because for a short time I get to see peoples’ lives day-to-day, whenever they get up for school or work in the morning versus just going to a tour spot and staying in a hotel. This way I get snapshots of peoples’ lives.”

During Troast’s performance, he and his crowd relax in a simple atmosphere.

“I don’t usually have a setlist, I don’t have it planned out at all, but I try to give some options that totally changes where the night goes as far as what songs I play,” Troast said. “I open up to requests. Each one is totally different, some will have kids, some will have dogs or geese honking over the fence or the neighbor starting up a motorcycle, helicopters flying in. It’s not my orchestration, but that’s what happens.”

When Troast began his journey in music, he discovered his goal to reach people individually.

“Just as a musician I was trying to figure out the essence of what I’m trying to do,” Troast said. “It sounds very simple and basic, but I just want to play for people who will listen to me. They will listen to me if I’m playing in their living room, so it took off from there.

“People tell their friends, and then they’ll host. Even if it’s just a group of five, I want to play for people who are in an environment where they can listen, where they’re comfortable.”

With his busy schedule, one would suspect Troast to tire throughout all of his travels, but he manages a relaxing time frame.

“Last year I did that 100 concert tour; it was 100 concerts in 100 days,” Troast said. “Number 98 and 99 were still fun, but I could see how eventually it would get exhausting. I get a good night’s sleep just about every night, it’s not like I’m playing till two in the morning then crashing at a hotel somewhere. It’s a family-oriented way of touring because I get to stay with families at their houses.”

Troast aims to both challenge and spread hope to fans when he tours through his lyrics and message. He tries to tie in positive themes to make listeners think.

“Music is a gift, it has many sides to it,” Troast said. “I try to write songs about things people think about from day-to-day, but say it in a way that sort of tweaks their brain a bit. I try to give people hope; my life as a Christian is full of hope and I think there’s enough negative stuff out there.

“Even if the music I write is intense, there’s still sort of a glimmer of hope in them, which is life to me. Give them hope, make them think, help them relax a bit, so hopefully I’m saying and singing things that are worth listening to.”

For more information about visiting ministries, read the Feb. 9 article, Bible class receives outreach education or the Feb. 4 article, Traveling ministry visits chapel.