Is this how you show appreciation to your fans?

[Kentbuffettnews]

I've been a Jimmy fan since the late 70's from the first time I saw him playing for free on the University of Florida campus.
Over the years I've attended numerous shows and it's always a great event. I attended the Saturday, July 15 show at Wrigley Field which was an extra special scene. As usual Jimmy and the Coral Reefers put on a great show.
One trend I've noticed over the last few years is the increases in cost seem to be going up at an alarming rate. T-shirts were $45 and other merchandise was priced similarly. As we were entering Wrigley we were told that we could not take water inside. I asked the gate supervisor about this and he shared with me this was not a Wrigley Field/Cubs policy (you can bring in your own water for Cubs games) but specific for this particular concert. Last night we attended the James Taylor concert which was also at Wrigley. No problem taking in your own water.
The cost to purchase a bottle of water inside............$6! I know this may seem trivial to many people but seriously where does it end?

[LIPH]

Nobody is forcing you to spend $45, or 45 cents, on a t-shirt. As far as not being allowed to bring water in, I'm not from Chicago so I can't comment on the usual policy at Wrigley Field. But I've been to hundreds of concerts and sporting events in countless venues all over the country. None of those venues allow outside food and beverages.

[Phinn]

Nobody is forcing you to spend $45, or 45 cents, on a t-shirt. As far as not being allowed to bring water in, I'm not from Chicago so I can't comment on the usual policy at Wrigley Field. But I've been to hundreds of concerts and sporting events in countless venues all over the country. None of those venues allow outside food and beverages.

Amen!
Jimmy shows his love for his fans each and every show. I have never ever EVER! not had a great time. I just wish he sold tour posters more often like the Dead or Dave Mathews. I spend big money on that!
Jimmy please keep on going as long as you can and are willing. This year tour has been so much fun to follow.

And FYI....if it was Jimmy that wanted you to spend $6 on water, it say Margaritaville on the side.

[urlcenter]

I believe the water bottle thing has to do with the number of inflatable objects that get tossed at the stage during the show, such as beach balls and other inflatables. Jimmy wants his shows to be as safe as possible for all his fans and while beach balls do not due any damage or cause injuries, a full or partially full water bottle could.

[Phinn]

I believe the water bottle thing has to do with the number of inflatable objects that get tossed at the stage during the show, such as beach balls and other inflatables. Jimmy wants his shows to be as safe as possible for all his fans and while beach balls do not due any damage or cause injuries, a full or partially full water bottle could.

That is a very good point. I think you hit the nail on the head.

[SMLCHNG]

As Larry said, most of the venues have their own rules regarding food and beverage. Jimmy doesn't have control over this, any more than any other performer.

[boatdrinks84]

T-shirts were $40, not $45, and $40 is pretty much the going rate for national act tour shirts these days.

[boatdrinks84]

Also keep in mind that this was a City of Chicago venue. Everything--from the ticket prices to parking to concessions--is insanely overpriced.

The video boards during Back Where I Come From should have showed images of Illinois politicians being thrown in the slammer, failing to balance the budget for years, and a mountain of debt. That would have been very fitting and accurate.

[FinsUp6835]

Yeah, when I went to the NYE show in Brooklyn - they had to take the caps off of the water bottles because Jimmy doesn't want anyone to get hurt. The concession guy told me this. And, I have been to probably over a 100 concerts in my life and NO venue lets you take your own water or food in unless you have a documented illness and get it approved ahead of time. This is part of why they want big named guys at their venues - so they can make tons of money on everything else. As for the t-shirt prices, $40 is very standard for any big act as mentioned above. Just don't buy one.

Only watched the Bing and Bong interview and Go Cubs Go but it was totally awesome! Wish I could have been there. FINS UP!

[PetalMel]

I have been t a few JB concerts where we were allowed to take in one unopened bottle of water because it was so hot and humid. Of course, this was several years ago, but I thought it was kind of neat. There were signs at the gates that said something like "Jimmy wants you hydrated so one unopened water bottle is allowed per ticket."

I found that funny but also true. So many Parrotheads forget that it is a marathon, not a sprint.

[TommyBahama]

I work at a Theater that has local performances and national acts , we have a no outside food or beverage policy. One reason is , one of the theater major sponsors is a bottled water company , also we sell candy and other snacks ( water is 2.00 candy and chips are also 2.00 ) and we have a bar ( I bartend and also work some security ). The other reason , we've actually had people trying to sneak booze in. There is also the , we ( Maintenance staff) doesn't want to be cleaning up food from the isles and the seats ( which are velvet). I was surprised when I went to a Mets game a couple of years ago , they allowed food and water in. My cousin had a whole meal with her. I'll pay the extra few bucks if I want something.
As for t-shirt prices , they are a bit ridicules , I try to get the bootlegs outside if they are around , for about 20.00 , and the quality seems to be a lot better.

[TommyBahama]

Some performers that we have had , don't want alcohol drinks in the theater area when they are performing. Ian Anderson was one , and we had another one recent , who I can't think of right now.

[finsup2k]

Jimmy doesn't have control over this, any more than any other performer.

This is not entirely accurate. He has control over many revenue-producing elements of a venue. Remember, the venue isn't free real estate where a show magically happens. There's a cost to him to put on the show.

[chippewa]

Regarding the bottled water, we checked the Wrigley Field info at the Cubs official website and found it is allowed. "Water in unopened plastic bottles is allowed to be brought into the ballpark" Didn't see any mention that the policy could be changed for other events. So we took 2 bottles in one bag, 2 in another. Two were taken away, the other 2 got in. So much for "security."

[SMLCHNG]

Jimmy doesn't have control over this, any more than any other performer.

This is not entirely accurate. He has control over many revenue-producing elements of a venue. Remember, the venue isn't free real estate where a show magically happens. There's a cost to him to put on the show.

Agreed. I know that. I'm just referring to water.

[C4Parrothead]

This is a ridiculous post.

You do not have to purchase TShirt - you choose too. $40 or not - it is up to you.

Where at an event are you allowed to (legally) bring anything in on your own. All venues have the same "No Outside Food/Beverage" policy. Try to go see an NFL, MBA, MLB, or NCAA game, and they will not allow anything to be brought in from the outside.

Why would you think Wrigley would be any different? Also, why is that Jimmy Buffett's fault? The man & his band, put on a helluva show for us Saturday & every night. The cost of water & the outside beverage policy, hardly have anything to do with the experience of seeing Our guy & his band on stage. If not being allowed to bring in your own water OR not wanting to buy water at the venue, is ruining that experience for you. Perhaps you should chnage the way you look at things (here is a clue: the man isn't gonna tour forever) or don't come. But, you are doing this to yourself.

Fins Up, Jimmy. Thank you! We do appreciate you!

[TommyBahama]

This is a ridiculous post.

You do not have to purchase TShirt - you choose too. $40 or not - it is up to you.

Where at an event are you allowed to (legally) bring anything in on your own. All venues have the same "No Outside Food/Beverage" policy. Try to go see an NFL, MBA, MLB, or NCAA game, and they will not allow anything to be brought in from the outside.

Why would you think Wrigley would be any different? Also, why is that Jimmy Buffett's fault? The man & his band, put on a helluva show for us Saturday & every night. The cost of water & the outside beverage policy, hardly have anything to do with the experience of seeing Our guy & his band on stage. If not being allowed to bring in your own water OR not wanting to buy water at the venue, is ruining that experience for you. Perhaps you should chnage the way you look at things (here is a clue: the man isn't gonna tour forever) or don't come. But, you are doing this to yourself.

Fins Up, Jimmy. Thank you! We do appreciate you!

Surprisingly Citi field in NY allowed outside food and beverages in for Mets games. They did when I went a couple of years ago , my cousin brought in a salad and other food. My sister went about a month ago , again they were allowed to bring in food. They do search also. But as far as other stadiums . I've never seen it. They need to make the money in the stadiums.

[urlcenter]

This is a ridiculous post.

You do not have to purchase TShirt - you choose too. $40 or not - it is up to you.

Where at an event are you allowed to (legally) bring anything in on your own. All venues have the same "No Outside Food/Beverage" policy. Try to go see an NFL, MBA, MLB, or NCAA game, and they will not allow anything to be brought in from the outside.

Why would you think Wrigley would be any different? Also, why is that Jimmy Buffett's fault? The man & his band, put on a helluva show for us Saturday & every night. The cost of water & the outside beverage policy, hardly have anything to do with the experience of seeing Our guy & his band on stage. If not being allowed to bring in your own water OR not wanting to buy water at the venue, is ruining that experience for you. Perhaps you should chnage the way you look at things (here is a clue: the man isn't gonna tour forever) or don't come. But, you are doing this to yourself.

Fins Up, Jimmy. Thank you! We do appreciate you!

I was just looking the rules for event at Xfinity Center in Mansfield (aka GreatWoods) and the only artist that has restriction on bottled water being brought in is Jimmy's show on 8/19 all of the other events are allowing outside food and water to be brought in. As I posted last night Jimmy's decision not to allow bottled water is mostly likely connected to the inflated items that tossed around at Jimmy's show such as beach balls, sharks etc. Many of these objects ended on on near the stage as the show progresses. Jimmy often playfully sends the beach balls back into the crowd but never with intent to injure. Given how much we Parrot Heads mean to Jimmy he does not want to see anyone get hurt, and he himself does not want to be dodging full or partially full bottles of liquids while he is in the middle of song such as "Son of A Son of A Sailor"

[C4Parrothead]

This is a ridiculous post.

You do not have to purchase TShirt - you choose too. $40 or not - it is up to you.

Where at an event are you allowed to (legally) bring anything in on your own. All venues have the same "No Outside Food/Beverage" policy. Try to go see an NFL, MBA, MLB, or NCAA game, and they will not allow anything to be brought in from the outside.

Why would you think Wrigley would be any different? Also, why is that Jimmy Buffett's fault? The man & his band, put on a helluva show for us Saturday & every night. The cost of water & the outside beverage policy, hardly have anything to do with the experience of seeing Our guy & his band on stage. If not being allowed to bring in your own water OR not wanting to buy water at the venue, is ruining that experience for you. Perhaps you should chnage the way you look at things (here is a clue: the man isn't gonna tour forever) or don't come. But, you are doing this to yourself.

Fins Up, Jimmy. Thank you! We do appreciate you!

I was just looking the rules for event at Xfinity Center in Mansfield (aka GreatWoods) and the only artist that has restriction on bottled water being brought in is Jimmy's show on 8/19 all of the other events are allowing outside food and water to be brought in. As I posted last night Jimmy's decision not to allow bottled water is mostly likely connected to the inflated items that tossed around at Jimmy's show such as beach balls, sharks etc. Many of these objects ended on on near the stage as the show progresses. Jimmy often playfully sends the beach balls back into the crowd but never with intent to injure. Given how much we Parrot Heads mean to Jimmy he does not want to see anyone get hurt, and he himself does not want to be dodging full or partially full bottles of liquids while he is in the middle of song such as "Son of A Son of A Sailor"

Great info & agree on the water bottles flying.

Not the point though. If something as small as not being allowed to bring a bottle of water in ruins the experience, then perhaps the glass isn't exactly half full (pun intended). Would hardly let that interfere with enjoying Jimmy's show. We only have some many of them left. Just sayin'.

[Dr.Corona]

I was just looking the rules for event at Xfinity Center in Mansfield (aka GreatWoods) and the only artist that has restriction on bottled water being brought in is Jimmy's show on 8/19 all of the other events are allowing outside food and water to be brought in. As I posted last night Jimmy's decision not to allow bottled water is mostly likely connected to the inflated items that tossed around at Jimmy's show such as beach balls, sharks etc. Many of these objects ended on on near the stage as the show progresses. Jimmy often playfully sends the beach balls back into the crowd but never with intent to injure. Given how much we Parrot Heads mean to Jimmy he does not want to see anyone get hurt, and he himself does not want to be dodging full or partially full bottles of liquids while he is in the middle of song such as "Son of A Son of A Sailor"

Bam! On the money URL. Hate to say it but there are plenty of people at the show who drink to damn much. Putting a full water bottle in their hands could be an issue.
Expanding on your topic of the beach balls, I get the pre concert batting of the beach balls all over the place, but personally it bugs me once the show starts. Find it distracting. This season the bb's flying around within the first 15 rows were crazy. By the way, GET OFF MY LAWN/BEACH!!