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How many folks still think the concert is doable? I believe we need to take it to one more level before we can know for sure. I believe we need a fact finding commitee and a very loose budget proposal before we know if it is possible to do.
The fact finding commitee would find out about creating a corporation or non-profit to be an umbrella organization, the opening of a secure bank account, accountability thru attnys and a bookkeeper, the viability of securing a venue, create a list of all service needed and a price range for those services. Also can it be made charitable, would we be able to profit from t-shirts or food sales? Then a time line could be created as to which funds would be needed by what dates. What our cut off time would be to actually raise the money if the show was booked 1-2 yrs in advance. This would give us a clearer idea as to true ticket costs and how many would need to be sold in order to proceed.

Certain venues would also give us space we could rent out to vendors selling their own t-shirts, hats, etc.

I guess just list your name and whether you still think it's doable. Remember it will be tough for this many people to sustain interest and energy for 2 years.

What if someone talked to Alex Leist from PHIP. He's done this kinda thing for years and has had to deal with Jimmy showing up, beefing up security, getting insurance, etc.
I really do think its a long shot. And I'm not up for paying more than $100.00 for a ticket, sorry. It's not going to be easy thats for sure.

If you are not willing to pay more then $100. for a ticket do you care how large the venue is? That's a choice people will have to make too. Where to draw the line between ticket price and venue size.

I think the do-ability of it all depends on a) where it would be, and after that, b)how many people would be committing to putting up the money and attending that venue. Where it would be would be the deciding factor for a lot of people, I think. For me and those who would go with me, we would probably commit to anywhere up to 250 a ticket, depending on where it would be and how much we would have to spend to get there, etc.

I think it's do-able. but I think the next big question is whether Jimmy is willing to consider it.

As far as size and venue, the fact is that not everyone will be happy. No matter what size is decided upon, some will want it smaller and more intimate, and be willing to pay for that, and others will want it larger and less expensive. Some person or group will have a tough decision to make.

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:I think it's do-able. but I think the next big question is whether Jimmy is willing to consider it.

That's the most important thing to consider. At the end of the day this all might be academic.

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:As far as size and venue, the fact is that not everyone will be happy.

Size doesn't matter.

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:I think it's do-able. but I think the next big question is whether Jimmy is willing to consider it.

As far as size and venue, the fact is that not everyone will be happy. No matter what size is decided upon, some will want it smaller and more intimate, and be willing to pay for that, and others will want it larger and less expensive. Some person or group will have a tough decision to make.

There are going to be people that will be sooo happy and there will also be people that will refuse to go because of size, price, location, etc.
Everyone can not be satisfied with this many people.

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:
I think it's do-able. but I think the next big question is whether Jimmy is willing to consider it.

That's the most important thing to consider. At the end of the day this all might be academic

I think that comes down to money and planning. First the money would have to be available at the dates needed. Then it would have to be provable that the same was the case for the venue and the other extras. Nobody would want to be associated with a concert gone bad with unhappy unpaid vendors. Basically the bulk of the money would have to be in an account ahead of time and there would have to be accountants with a good reputation associated with it.

There are SO many variables that go into setting these things up. Take into account that we aren't a corporation. We are a group of people scattered all over the country. That makes putting things together much more difficult.

It's possible, but realistically, it's HIGHLY unlikely.

Still, I hope to help as best I can to get this off the ground, that's for sure. Keep the faith!!

I think the deciding factor for most of us is the true differentiation of the BN show vs. the Buffett concerts most of us attend every year.

1. will we be able to see a setlist that reflects the treasures from Jimmy's career that we haven't heard in many years, admittedly and willingly sacrificing many or most of SYKBH?

2. can we do this in such a way that minimizes or eliminates the negatives that result from heavy corporate sponsorships including putting up with non-PHs lining the front rows / scalpers, etc? All the things we're trying to get away from

3. can we get a true "intimate" show with the kind of audience interaction you'd hope Jimmy would be willing to give if he knows he's surrounded by people who genuinely love the man and his music? Anyone who's seen Peter's band in a small venue would know exactly what I'm talking about here.

4. can we do it in a special type of venue that would allow us to be ourselves and in a real Buffettesque environment? Something on the ocean somewhere comes to mind

If we can offer BNers (and most likely other PHs) a show with some or all of these benefits, then by all means LET'S DO IT! It would be a wonderful and memorable experience that I would be willing to pay considerably more for.

Otherwise, it would be just another stop on the tour. Great fun of course (as are all the shows I've been lucky enough to attend) but we wouldn't have accomplished much accept having had to go through the process of putting it together ourselves.

But for the record, I definitely believe it's do-able and will gladly help with the effort! As SGH pointed out, the ultimate question is does Jimmy have a desire to do something like this. I sure hope so!

sailingagain wrote:It's possible, but realistically, it's HIGHLY unlikely.

OMG, SA, now you've done it.....

Making the huge assumption that Jimmy is open playing this gig, you've just assured it will happen....

DON'T YOU KNOW BETTER THAT TO TELL THIS BUNCH THAT IT'S UNLIKELY THEY COULD PULL SOMETHING OFF??????

It's practically a done deal....

LIPH wrote:

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:I think it's do-able. but I think the next big question is whether Jimmy is willing to consider it.

That's the most important thing to consider. At the end of the day this all might be academic.

Did MFlyer find out specifically the order the steps are taken? He said half down at booking I think... do you give them a half a million, and then the booking agency asks Jimmy if he will or will not do it? I guess I assumed if you paid, he played. (obviously this is all way over my head!)

Or do you ask for a date first, get it approved, and then pay the half?

I think, first of all, that someone needs to take the reins here. We've got quite a few people with loads of great ideas, but somebody...or a few somebodies....need to jump in feet first and take control.

With that being said, I think the first thing to do is create a business plan (kudos to the person who brought this up in the first place). We need to know exactly what we're dealing with in terms of...well...everything!

If we could get someone to take on this responsibility (hopefully someone with experience in these matters) then we can start moving forward, I think. Once the business plan is in place, THEN we could take it back to Jimmy's management co. and make a proposal to them. If they (and ultimately Jimmy) accept, then go from there.

And hey...if I had the experience, I'd offer. But I'm a lowly jack-of-all-trades/master of none working for the government.

By the way, there is a separate "sign-up" thread, that no one has signed up in yet, of anyone's interested, but didn't see it.

Do I think it could happen, yeah. Do I think it will happen, no.
I'll sure try and help as much as can to make it so, but I just think it's way too big an undertaking. Most people don't seem able, or willing to pay for what it will cost to make this happen.
One thing I think we are overlooking is the setlist. What makes you think they are going to rehease 20 songs they haven't played in years just for us. Now you're really stretching it.

Ok, I've lurked for long enough on this topic.

I agree partially with C Soul Man, a larger venue would be like any other stop on his tour. I'm not willing to pay any more for the chance of the same seats that I've got in Nissan or Philly. Nor is it worthwhile spending many manhours trying to organize an event like those he's already doing this Spring/Summer.

Personally, I'd like to see him "up close and personal." In 10 years of about 30 concerts, I've never been closer than about 50 rows away. I'm willing to spend a bit more to ensure a better seat, and NOT line the pockets of ticket brokers. A venue in the neighborhood of 1000 minimum to 2500 maximum seems like a good range (i.e., average row of 50 people, assures no one is further than 50 rows away). This also would keeps a good mix between "intimateness" and ticket price.

From what I'm reading, if you can get Jimmy for $500,000 (which sounds cheap to me), and a smaller venue for another $250,000 (includes security, places for food/drink, permits, etc.) divided by full attendance, you'd have ticket prices between $300 and $750. Charity not included.

As far as where, it looks like the northeast/mid-Atlantic contains the greatest CONCENTRATION of parrotheads that would likely attend, thereby minimizing overall travel for the group.

Sounds to me like the first step is where. Then we come up with a business model to fit the venue constraints.

i dont know how i could help, but i will if possible. get some logistics down...place, date, etc, adn let's figure it out, sounds like a great fly in, fly out the next day gig...sounds like a blast.

how about south, in the late fall after we try to reason with hurricane season. mabye myrtle beach, isle of palms, charleston, etc?

There are some VERY good points on this thread. This is probably has the most logical and thought out ideas since I spoke with Steve. Here is my take (for what it's worth) on where we are. We have the intial information. It may change, i.e., when we are ready to negotiate the contract it may not be for the full band or the full amount.

chu wrote:I think, first of all, that someone needs to take the reins here. We've got quite a few people with loads of great ideas, but somebody...or a few somebodies....need to jump in feet first and take control.

This is first and foremost the next step. Somebody, one person, needs to take firm hold of the reins. We are like the Key Stone Cops here. Everybody's excited and running around in circles banging into each other and not moving forward.

chu wrote:I think the first thing to do is create a business plan (kudos to the person who brought this up in the first place).

This is where it needs to start. Without a pro forma you're like a ship without a rudder and could become "stranded on a sand bar" real fast. I have experience in writing them and executing them, if I have a chance I may put a rough outline together this weekend.

Tiki Bar wrote:Did MFlyer find out specifically the order the steps are taken? He said half down at booking I think... do you give them a half a million, and then the booking agency asks Jimmy if he will or will not do it?

I did say but here it is again. 50% of the band's fee is paid at the time the contract is SIGNED. By the time it is signed it has been negotiated and agreed upon by both parties. As I said, if we get to this point I think we should have at least 75% of the total funds needed because that is almost the point of no return. At the very least, if we don't come through we've lost $500,000. At the worst, we are in breach of contract and can be sued for the balance ($500,000), attorney's fees and damages (which could total a LOT!). The balance to the band is due thirty days out from the performance date.

OceanCityGirl wrote:Basically the bulk of the money would have to be in an account ahead of time and there would have to be accountants with a good reputation associated with it.

See above.

springparrot wrote:There are going to be people that will be sooo happy and there will also be people that will refuse to go because of size, price, location, etc.
Everyone can not be satisfied with this many people.

photogal wrote:And I'm not up for paying more than $100.00 for a ticket, sorry.

I would be almost certain the tickets are going to be over $100 each.

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:Making the huge assumption that Jimmy is open playing this gig

If the money and the contracts and logistics were all there, I am sure he would be open to it. Remember, it really just boils down to this, Mr. Buffett sells a product, we are interested in buying that product. Do we have the ability to make the purchase?

One last thing...I nominate Mrs. NYCPORT to be directly involved in this...I hear she has some knowledge in this sort of thing...

Where is BEG to save me from myself???

Not only just the rehearsing thing, but imagine what kind of money it would take to bring in Fingers for this as well. Now THAT would be a major thing to pulloff.

I'm thinkin' Fingers wouldn't be part of the equation