So I wake up this morning to find out that I was not dreaming – there is in fact a 4th Dave Matthews show over at Red Rocks! And as the morning progresses things get more and more interesting (and in some ways, funny).
Foremost, please don’t think that I’m ignorant or apathetic of the Hurricane Katrina situation – the very reason they’ve scheduled the 4th concert. Watching the news over the few days and seeing how this whole situation is unfolding it’s very tragic and sad to see things where they’re at. My prayers throughout this week has been for those who have lost homes, loved ones, and lives. It’s interesting how times like these can bring out the best in people, but also the worst in people as well (with all of the looting, taking up arms, and rampant crime). I just pray that more good continues to come of this, and that the people of New Orleans find some kind of comfort and support. I also think that it’s important in times like these to do what we can: volunteer & donate. This morning I had the chance to kick some money towards the Red Cross, and it’s pretty cool to see that their web site is getting slammed, bogged down with so many people trying to donate money. Secondly, it’s really cool to see people stepping up in their own unique ways to help where they can – like with Dave Matthews Band and the concert. You also see people from all facets of society helping where they can. A guy from a radio show I listened to last night offered a dinner, signed book and a personal "War On Terror Intelligence Briefing" for the first person who would match his $100 donation. The phones rang off the hook, so he upped the offer to the first 10, then the first 20. Finally he capped it out at 24, but it’s amazing to see all these different outlets available for people to help.
So getting back to the concert… It’s still pretty surreal that it’s happening. The news stories are out there – location TV & radio stations are reporting the news, and the story has been confirmed by a few different media web sites – yet there is still no announcement on the official web site. Also there’s nothing official on the Warehouse fan club web site. Supposedly there’s supposed to be a news conference about the concert today, and rumor has it that tickets will go on sale next week.
What’s funny is that the news has made it’s way to the Warehouse message boards, and it can’t be any funnier. One thing you have to understand about these Warehouse fans, they’re totally hard-core. I know many of my friends out there think that I’m a DMB fanatic – but I have nothing on these guys! A lot of these people spend huge jack flying all over the country and going to shows. While the 3rd night of Red Rocks will make my 10th DMB show of all time, many of them have easily been to 10+ shows this year. These people are nuts… and now they’re all PISSED!
It’s pretty funny to see their reactions. Of course they’re not mad about DMB putting on a benefit concert – they think it’s really noble (which it is). The reason they’re pissed though, is because they’re all flying in for the weekend, and their flights home are all scheduled on Monday. Hilarious! So now a lot of them are scrambling, seeing if they could re-schedule their flights, take more time off work, and book an extra night in their hotels. And yet tickets haven’t gone on sale yet! And the reason that many of them (including me) got tickets is because 2,500 of the 9,500 seats were allocated for Warehouse members. But getting an idea how the Warehouse ticketing system works, as well as the fact that this is a benefit concert, I’m predicting that Zero tickets will be sold through the Warehouse.
Time to dust of that Ticketmaster playbook… But honestly I don’t know if I’ll be able to go to the 4th night. As it turns out I have a Pastoral Council meeting on that Monday. No big deal, except for the fact that I’m the chairperson! Ugh… Hmmm, maybe it’s time for the Vice Chair to take over for a meeting… We’ll see though. What I really want to do is help some of my friends (like Matt) who tried really hard to get tickets to the original shows and lucked out. So we’ll see how things go!
<edit> "Tickets will go sale Wednesday September 7 at 10 a.m. They will be available by calling 303-870-TIXS. Most tickets will go for $58.50, but some VIP tickets will be sold for $500 and $1,000." </edit>
Also I heard that part of Saturday Night’s (Sept 10th) show is going to be on MTV! Check it out:
NEW YORK, NY, United States (UPI) — MTV, VH1, and CMT said Wednesday they will simulcast a live performance special to raise funds for an ongoing Hurricane Katrina relief campaign.
The special, scheduled to air Saturday, Sept. 10, will raise funds for the American Red Cross and other relief organizations. MTV Networks head Judy McGrath said the campaign is also intended to promote volunteerism among the MTV, VH1 and CMT audiences.
Plans call for the campaign to kick off with a live programming block on Saturday from locations in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Nashville. Scheduled performers include Ludacris, Green Day, Gretchen Wilson, Usher, Alicia Keys, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews Band. Additional details will be announced later.
Look mom, I’m going to be on MTV (kind of)