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good thought........

However, I believe it needs to be an actual bank - number one PP takes fees and you have to jump through hoops after 30 days to do any sort of refund. If this next stage is going to happen - it would be best to go to a "national" bank fully insured.........for the $$ we're talking about it should be fee free and we might even consider a CD or investment type account in order to earn interest on the money.

krusin1 wrote:This is a huge undertaking, and first of all, thanks to everyone who has done some legwork and brainwork already.

Here's an idea... how about trying a trial balloon, with a cut-off date.

Go ahead and set up the escrow account - somebody well known (and trusted) on the board should do it. If it can be done via PayPal, it will simplify things.

Then, to gauge interest/ability to get this thing done, let all of us BN'ers put money in - assume $300/person, no limit on how many tix per BN'er. Probably going to have to rely on the honor system to avoid @#!$%!@$% scalpers.

Set a cut-off date 6-12 months in the future. At that date, if we have a specific pre-set amount in hand, we move forward. Otherwise, refunds to all.

I know, I know, lots of details still to talk about - venue, etc., but at least we'd get a pretty good read on how willing we are to put our money where our mouths are.

As for me, I'm in, so is dear wife, dear brother and dear sister-in-law. Just say where to send the $$.

BTW... if we get this thing done, it's gonna be the coolest story of all time.

PHAW Webmistress wrote:good thought........

However, I believe it needs to be an actual bank - number one PP takes fees and you have to jump through hoops after 30 days to do any sort of refund. If this next stage is going to happen - it would be best to go to a "national" bank fully insured.........for the $$ we're talking about it should be fee free and we might even consider a CD or investment type account in order to earn interest on the money.

krusin1 wrote:This is a huge undertaking, and first of all, thanks to everyone who has done some legwork and brainwork already.

Here's an idea... how about trying a trial balloon, with a cut-off date.

Go ahead and set up the escrow account - somebody well known (and trusted) on the board should do it. If it can be done via PayPal, it will simplify things.

Then, to gauge interest/ability to get this thing done, let all of us BN'ers put money in - assume $300/person, no limit on how many tix per BN'er. Probably going to have to rely on the honor system to avoid @#!$%!@$% scalpers.

Set a cut-off date 6-12 months in the future. At that date, if we have a specific pre-set amount in hand, we move forward. Otherwise, refunds to all.

I know, I know, lots of details still to talk about - venue, etc., but at least we'd get a pretty good read on how willing we are to put our money where our mouths are.

As for me, I'm in, so is dear wife, dear brother and dear sister-in-law. Just say where to send the $$.

BTW... if we get this thing done, it's gonna be the coolest story of all time.

Good call on the national bank thing. Keep it coming...

PHAW Webmistress wrote:good thought........

However, I believe it needs to be an actual bank - number one PP takes fees and you have to jump through hoops after 30 days to do any sort of refund. If this next stage is going to happen - it would be best to go to a "national" bank fully insured.........for the $$ we're talking about it should be fee free and we might even consider a CD or investment type account in order to earn interest on the money.

krusin1 wrote:This is a huge undertaking, and first of all, thanks to everyone who has done some legwork and brainwork already.

Here's an idea... how about trying a trial balloon, with a cut-off date.

Go ahead and set up the escrow account - somebody well known (and trusted) on the board should do it. If it can be done via PayPal, it will simplify things.

Then, to gauge interest/ability to get this thing done, let all of us BN'ers put money in - assume $300/person, no limit on how many tix per BN'er. Probably going to have to rely on the honor system to avoid @#!$%!@$% scalpers.

Set a cut-off date 6-12 months in the future. At that date, if we have a specific pre-set amount in hand, we move forward. Otherwise, refunds to all.

I know, I know, lots of details still to talk about - venue, etc., but at least we'd get a pretty good read on how willing we are to put our money where our mouths are.

As for me, I'm in, so is dear wife, dear brother and dear sister-in-law. Just say where to send the $$.

BTW... if we get this thing done, it's gonna be the coolest story of all time.

This wouldn't be too tough to start and might be a good way to gauge how much of a committment is here. I like the bank Idea. It would have to be an escrow/trust account legally controlled. I'm no lawyer but I would think that if we had a law firm set up and manage the account so there could be no embezzeling and a full accounting of all monies at all times that would be a way to go. Also, then there could be a legally binding agreement that if, by a date we determine, there is not enough money to move forward all monies are returned minus the fees the law firm charges to manage it.

Midnight Flyer wrote:

PHAW Webmistress wrote:good thought........

However, I believe it needs to be an actual bank - number one PP takes fees and you have to jump through hoops after 30 days to do any sort of refund. If this next stage is going to happen - it would be best to go to a "national" bank fully insured.........for the $$ we're talking about it should be fee free and we might even consider a CD or investment type account in order to earn interest on the money.

krusin1 wrote:This is a huge undertaking, and first of all, thanks to everyone who has done some legwork and brainwork already.

Here's an idea... how about trying a trial balloon, with a cut-off date.

Go ahead and set up the escrow account - somebody well known (and trusted) on the board should do it. If it can be done via PayPal, it will simplify things.

Then, to gauge interest/ability to get this thing done, let all of us BN'ers put money in - assume $300/person, no limit on how many tix per BN'er. Probably going to have to rely on the honor system to avoid @#!$%!@$% scalpers.

Set a cut-off date 6-12 months in the future. At that date, if we have a specific pre-set amount in hand, we move forward. Otherwise, refunds to all.

I know, I know, lots of details still to talk about - venue, etc., but at least we'd get a pretty good read on how willing we are to put our money where our mouths are.

As for me, I'm in, so is dear wife, dear brother and dear sister-in-law. Just say where to send the $$.

BTW... if we get this thing done, it's gonna be the coolest story of all time.

This wouldn't be too tough to start and might be a good way to gauge how much of a committment is here. I like the bank Idea. It would have to be an escrow/trust account legally controlled. I'm no lawyer but I would think that if we had a law firm set up and manage the account so there could be no embezzeling and a full accounting of all monies at all times that would be a way to go. Also, then there could be a legally binding agreement that if, by a date we determine, there is not enough money to move forward all monies are returned minus the fees the law firm charges to manage it.

Cool.

Who needs to do what next? I'll help however you like, but with my relatively small total of posts, I should probably bow out in deference to the "elders" for the next step...

Just got in from traveling on the road, thanks for the info MF. Let me know if I can be of any help, I'm a good worker. I would gladly pay the $300 or $150, whatever is decided. Glad to see this thread has come this far, hopefully we can make this happen.

Whew... just skimmed over all the pages. Too kewl!!! Every JB concert I have ever been to, I have openly wished to be at a show where everyone knew every word of every song he played. I'll be the first to admit I feel slighted when I'm in lousy seats and I see people 300 feet in front of me sit down during Banana Republics. This might take awhile, but let's make it happen.

On a side note...call me an optimist...but, even though JB is a shrewd business man even he would have to have a soft spot for something like this and maybe lower the price a bit for us (especially if there was a charity involved). Right?

Just a suggestion...

How about starting a thread where people that want to be part of the committee can volunteer themselves. Maybe they can list some of their qualifications? Or people might want to start nominations.

At least that gives us a starting point and a potential pool to pick from if we decide to take it as far as a vote.

I know this may have been brought up but I may have missed it in the 30+ pages of posts. So here is my idea (again, apologies if it has been brought up already):

If we can truly put together a serious proposal as to assembling this concert I would think we could ask sposorship for the event. This show would generate an enormous ammount of publisitiy I believe (especially among the Buffett world) and many companies would be very interested in sposoring the event. I think news organizations would love doing a piece on how a hardcore concentration of Buffett fans gathered the funds to get their own show. It would be a really great story if this came to frution and I think many companies would want their names associate with the event. For instance, the show could get a title like "The Parrothead Buffett Concert sponsored by (fill in a company)"

I went to a concert this summer of a band I know of which 100,000+ people attended. It was their final show so they made it a huge outdoor free concert. The show was at the Hatch Shell in Boston so in order to make the show feisable they got sponsored by Nantucket Nectars and got alot of funding that made the show profitable.

Now I do not know how this would conflict with Jimmy's sponsors like Corona but it would seem that if we were funding the show we could find sponsors as we found suitable.

Again, maybe finding sponsors for an event like this would not be possible but if it were it would go a long way in lowering costs.

Wow, great weekend for my computer to be down! I too will pay whatever necessary for this to happen. If you need any help whatsoever with the planning, PM me, I'll do absolutely anything save for some illegal activities

Hey, thanks so much, MidnightFlyer!

Some ideas while reading the latest posts:

-Good idea, Quiet and Shy, about working with a Consultant! We've all said, "if I had it to do over again I'd........". Why reinvent the wheel? In the long run, expertise would probably save some money.

-Maybe this Consultant will work for a few tickets! And our lawyer? And the accountant?

-I vote for Red Rock. It looks like a beautiful place to throw the most incredible party EVER! Certain friends go on and on about how magical, awesome, etc. it was when the Dead played there (of course, it could have been the acid, but....).

-This is pretty exciting, yes?

-Some are worried that we won't sell enough tickets. Well, AFTER we have each purchased our two tickets, we could lottery off the extra seats to ourselves. Myself, I'm having a difficult time deciding which best friend I'll be asking to come with me.

-I like the idea that was put out there by somebody......that parking fee profits would go to charity......what about our We-staged-our-own-dream-concert T-shirts? And what about the food and drink concessions? What if we ended up giving away a big chunk of change? How awesome would THAT be? Yes, a consultant would be good. I do have a friend, actually, who used to go out with this guy who promoted festivals for charities, but don't know if she'd be willing to go there (as in, call him up to talk about this outrageous idea).

-As I said earlier, I don't have a problem with purchasing tickets a year or more in advance. Probably alot of you feel the same way. I'd be cool with $200 each. But, how do the promoters do it for less when they've got the same costs?

Well, time to submit so I can read posts from other BNers! And to e-mail my friend with the old boyfriend. So jazzed!

Thanks again, Midnight! This is so fun!

Oops! Sorry about that......I seem to have developed a stutter!

Pepe T. Pirate wrote: Oops! Sorry about that......I seem to have developed a stutter!

I took care of it, PTP...after all, I *AM* a speech therapist...

Just another thought,RE: this being a Charitable Event as well as a great night for parrotheads. If we file the paper work for a 501c3 non-profit group, perhaps we could garner donations of the "professional work"! The pro bono workers could be given "receipts" for the work and take a tax deduction. This equals little or no cost to us! This way some of the professionals who are also "Parrotheads", could donate to the cause and recieve some benefit as well!

An important part of a plan is looking at all angles. Its nice to see that being done here.

Have we considered that Jimmy might not be playing in 1-2 years?. Granted that horrifies all of us, but it is a reality. I am sure he would honor his committments, but it might be something to consider. Not trying to be the voice of doom and gloom....just reason.


I was thinking about something.... what if we write Mr Buffett with our intentions. Seriously, a well drafted professional letter telling him our thoughts, our ideas and our motivation. Even include this thread. Ya never know what might come out of it!

I would be happy to draft one and post it for review. what do you think?

Good point TRF, I was kinda thinking the same thing when the discussions turned towards some undetermined future date due to the costs. If this became a true charitable event, who knows what kind of break we might get in bringing Jimmy to the table. Obviously no one (JB, CRs, venue, support, etc, etc) would want to loose $ on something like this but we don't truly know for a fact that all standard fees would apply either at this point.

I'm a communications guy by trade and am willing to help out in any way I can. Like all of you, I think this is a groundbreaking concept that we definitely can turn into reality as long as we have dedicated pholks who are willing to see it through. Does anyone have any ideas as to how we could get a proposal in front of Jimmy to gauge his real level of interest in such an event?

Caribbean Soul Man wrote:Does anyone have any ideas as to how we could get a proposal in front of Jimmy to gauge his real level of interest in such an event?

The obvious and most professional way is getting it to his management company who will hopefully get it to him.... Maybe MidnightFLyer has an idea since he met with one of Jimmy's inner circle.

Of course we do have some creative people on this board who seem to "run" into Jimmy occassionally...but I am not sure that is the most professional angle. Of course its like the old saying...more business is done on the golf course than in the boardroom!

A presentation is a must. As well as a summary of our intent. And I believe a sincere letter would be very effective.

Just another thought,RE: this being a Charitable Event as well as a great night for parrotheads. If we file the paper work for a 501c3 non-profit group, perhaps we could garner donations of the "professional work"! The pro bono workers could be given "receipts" for the work and take a tax deduction. This equals little or no cost to us! This way some of the professionals who are also "Parrotheads", could donate to the cause and recieve some benefit as well!

Very good idea.

I believe the first things to be done are
1 - Choose several charities and decide the best way to work charitable fundraising into the moneys earned. This will give credibility to the event. It will also make it possible to solicit for free/discounted services such as insurance, bookkeeping, etc as well as sponsorships.

2 - Choose possible sponsors and create a plan so they can be approached/solicited. An example is I would assume we will want an official concert t-shirt which could incorporate a sponsor or two.

When these things are in place we will know whether we will have any help lowering the costs. Then a realistic budget can begin to be put together. I don't think we can start to sell tix until we have a preliminary budget.

3 - First needed committes, One to list all possible needed services/costs. Creating a very loose budget. Searching for venues (I really feel it needs to be on the East Coast to get the numbers).

I'm still at a loss why people are bringing up charity. If we can pull this off it will be a miracle if we break even, and that is with a ticket price that most of you don't seem to willing to pay.
As mentioned before I think our only hope is getting corporate help with the exspenses.

Just wondered if anyone has thought of having Jimmy do a solo acoustical show. I'm sure the expenses would be a lot less.
Also I vote for having it at Red Rocks in Morrison, CO. I believe it holds around 9000. I wonder if there is a way we could set-up a BN'er pre -sell, then open tickets to the public if we don't sell them all through BN.
Just some thoughts.

ToplessRideFL wrote:An important part of a plan is looking at all angles. Its nice to see that being done here.

Have we considered that Jimmy might not be playing in 1-2 years?. Granted that horrifies all of us, but it is a reality. I am sure he would honor his committments, but it might be something to consider. Not trying to be the voice of doom and gloom....just reason.


I was thinking about something.... what if we write Mr Buffett with our intentions. Seriously, a well drafted professional letter telling him our thoughts, our ideas and our motivation. Even include this thread. Ya never know what might come out of it!

I would be happy to draft one and post it for review. what do you think?

I was thinking about that as well. Maybe he won't be playing in 1-2 years. BUT MAYBE he will be and this would be a great way to stage your final concert. How cool would that be?