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This was brought to my attention by one of my co-workers. He said that Jimmy tried to close the river for his Pittsburgh show this year, and that he has done this before for other shows as well. This surprised me, Jimmy being an avid boater and all. Has anyone else heard this? And if so, do you know why? I was told because he didn’t want people that didn’t pay, listening from their boats. This also surprised me. I figured he would rather the die hard fans there, over a few bucks.

I don't know if it's true or not, but security could be a reason. Being that close to the river and not being able to control what goes on out there is pretty scary when you stop and think about it.

When he plays Jones Beach there are always boats out there, the stage is built in the bay. But they don't let the boats get too close and there's usually a boat from the Nassau County PD's marine unit or the Bay Constable patroling the area.

He might be able to block an area close to the venue, but I'd sure like to see him try to stop barge traffic on the Ohio River at the Cincinnati concert!

I don't know if it was him that wanted to close the river, but I know alot of boats weren't allowed right by the stadium because they were lighting fireworks off the river that night too

I can't think it's because he doesn't want people who didn't pay to listen, otherwise he'd shut down RadioMargaritaville concert broadcasts. With Sirius Radio broadcasts anyone can now listen from any boat.

I gotta think it's security reasons.

At the Gorge in George (Washington) the river is so freaking far below the stage that those that park there boats there really don't get to hear much.

It may have something to do with him flying in with his plane and landing on the river. He did this in Camden/Philly a couple of years with the Hemisphere Dancer.

Only thing I can think of.

Zanzibar wrote:I don't know if it was him that wanted to close the river, but I know alot of boats weren't allowed right by the stadium because they were lighting fireworks off the river that night too

I'd say security due to the fireworks display was the case in Pittsburgh. However, I don't know about other venues.

Maybe it's so he can have his boat out there and make a quick getaway! (after I typed that I had visions of Jimmy and Mac as Miami Vice fill-ins)

Big Phan wrote:

Zanzibar wrote:I don't know if it was him that wanted to close the river, but I know alot of boats weren't allowed right by the stadium because they were lighting fireworks off the river that night too

I'd say security due to the fireworks display was the case in Pittsburgh. However, I don't know about other venues.

Maybe it's so he can have his boat out there and make a quick getaway! (after I typed that I had visions of Jimmy and Mac as Miami Vice fill-ins)

Shouldn't it be Jimmy and Robert or Jimmy and Ralph? You know, get the whole Crockett and Tubbs thing right.

i imagine TSA and local authorities closed the river. for the same reasons you can fly over sporting venues while an event is going on. plus the fireworks were probably launched from/near the river which would necessitate closing it for safety reasons.

Well who ever it was that wanted to close it had no luck. I thought all the boats along the stadium was one of the pluses of the party. If I didn't get my tickets on such short notice I would have probably tried to take a boat down. The fireworks were a possible reason I thought of, but they never shut the river down for any other firework display. Just had patrol boats hold them back. Maybe didn't want too many drunk swimmers...

LIPH wrote:

Big Phan wrote:

Zanzibar wrote:I don't know if it was him that wanted to close the river, but I know alot of boats weren't allowed right by the stadium because they were lighting fireworks off the river that night too

I'd say security due to the fireworks display was the case in Pittsburgh. However, I don't know about other venues.

Maybe it's so he can have his boat out there and make a quick getaway! (after I typed that I had visions of Jimmy and Mac as Miami Vice fill-ins)

Shouldn't it be Jimmy and Robert or Jimmy and Ralph? You know, get the whole Crockett and Tubbs thing right.

You're right, that would be more "realistic".

blackjack wrote:It may have something to do with him flying in with his plane and landing on the river. He did this in Camden/Philly a couple of years with the Hemisphere Dancer.

Only thing I can think of.

There have always been boats at Camden when JB has played there. I have had friends who never left the boat...at least not to venture in to the arena

I know the guy that flew the Hemisphere Dancer for Jimmy that year in Philly. He did make one landing in the river and boats started heading from every direction for de plane. He had to make a quick get away because he told me that when de plane is on the first step it has a 5 foot wake. He was afraid of swamping some boaters.

I don't think the Dancer will be in Pittsburg this year unless someone unbolts it from Orlando.

I thought there had been some official press release about the river closing for a time during the fireworks in Pittsburgh.

Boats also hang around outside Riverbend in Cincy.