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Hello to everybody and greetings from freezing N.J.
In regards to TicketB*st*rd and Live Nation:
What happened with the Springsteen shows is outrageous, but not surprising.
Will Congress act? Perhaps, but keep in mind powerful companies have powerful friends. And that Pearl Jam waged a serious campaign years ago vs. TicketB*st*rd that did nothing lasting and substantial that I know of.
"Live Nation" is actually Clear Channel, a massive media company that owns radio stations, owns/operates venues and even has gotten into artist management/representation. Oh, and don't forget all those scenic billboards along the roadside.
Anyone see any conflict here?
Put it this way: A rock artist comes into your area. If Clear Channel is putting on the show, you'll hear its local radio station plugging it via DJ chatter and playing that artist's songs. Ticket contests too. Maybe an on-air interview.
But if that show is not connected with Clear Channel, will the artist get the same promo treatment?
Well, figure that one out.
Also, Clear Channel bought out many longtime local promoters -- but had the nerve to resurrect the familiar, local company names when people started not liking the smell of monopolistic practices. (Example: "Ron Delsener presents".)
By being a nationwide promoter for a tour, instead of local promoters handling each stop, CC also can be anti-competitive when it comes to prices.
As for TicketB*st*rd, well, somehow, years ago, Ticketron -- anyone remember that name? -- made money charging a dollar or two per ticket for its service.
Now, there's enough charges to choke a horse. For instance, last summer at the arts center in NJ -- a formerly nice venue taken over by Clear Channel, with blessing from the state of New Jersey -- I saw Ringo Starr. I bought three lawn tickets, at about $25 apiece.
The total?
About $108 -- or $33 over the total ticket cost.
And that included $6 per ticket for parking. That's a new charge, and you get hit per ticket, not per order. And pay whether you park at the venue or not. Whether you park close to the hall -- or way out in the boonies.
Of course, it you want, "premium parking" is available ... for a premium price ... from your friends at ... Live Nation.
Do the musicians know about this sort of stuff?
Sure they do. And I haven't heard many of them speaking out against it or doing anything to curb it.
Interested in putting a stop to this kind of stuff yourself?
Hit 'em where it hurts -- in the wallet.
Tough stuff, I know. But it's all true. And very real.
Peace to all.
- Tommy
PS: I just spent most of the night typing on my job, so it hurts my hands to pump this one out. But it hurts far more to not say/do anything at all ...