Vending in Chicago

[ChicagoIslandBoy]

As a casual fan of JB and the consumate northerner desperately seeking Island Life, I was plesed to get the call to work as a vendor at JB's Wrigley concerts. Over the years I've worked U2, The Sones, Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, The Dead and a host of others at Soldier Field so to get a chance to hear JB and make some extra cash was something I wasn't going to pass up. The best part of the two day event was being able to witness the sound checks with barely a soul in the place. JB seemed to be very geeked and having a good time. After Monday's sound check, he jokingly said, "We're ready, open the gates." The gates weren't scheduled to open for another two hours.

Sales were brisk on Sunday and we sold out of the commerative Wrigley Tee that went for a $35.00. My stand clocked about 20k for Sunday and Monday. These are good numbers? YES & NO. The precentage that JB's people agreed to was far lower than the usual concert and I'm extremely disappointed that JB's people did not bring enough stock. Here's how it works, when a band plays a venue it's up to the band to provide the stock not the vendors. You wouldn't believe some of the questions I was asked over the two day period and one lady was so rude she threw a T-shirt at me because I didn't have her size. Now first and foremost I'm a gentlemen, but I also work in law eforcement by day in Chicago, i.e., I don't take any ***** from anyone, not even my superiors. I really wanted to jump across my stand and rip her a new a**hole, but I remained professional and contiued....despite this moment and the lack of stock, I thought concert itself was an overall success but it was my first and last JB concert I will vend, the numbers were just too low for me. How I miss Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead, I use to go home with 2k cash for the weekend. I guess times are changing.

I may do the Stones next week but considering the climate, I'm reluctant. Back in the old days, you'd get your stock, vend, tally up at the end and get paid cash the same night. Now they have you sign tax forms, etc., which is a royal pain in the ass and then wait for your funds to come in the mail. But for the ParrotHeads that bought merch from me, I thank you.

I'll be on the rock the second week in December. Let's have a drink or two or three...lol

me

[Pirate slightly over 50]

Island Boy,

Jimmy did not arrive at Wrigley until about 11:15-11:30 on Monday. I left to go pick up my buddy to come back right after we got him in. I was told he wasn't doing a sound check but that doesn't mean he didn't change his mind. There was no 2 hour wait before the gates opened on Monday. You must be referring to Sunday. Jimmy arrived around 11:45 and started his sound check at about 12:00. He did "In the City" a couple of times but then I had to leave for a few. I know he finished the sound check with Mac in the bleachers making sure those mikes were okay.
For those who are familiar with the Cubs, Ronnie Woo was outside on the gate he entered in on Waveland for the sound check doing a "Jimmy Buffett Woo" chant. He kept it up for I would guess almost 45 minutes straight. As Jimmy left at around 1:00 I heard him say "I have to go meet this guy." He walked over to Ronnie and I believed he signed a baseball for him. Quite a few lucky early parrotheads had also gathered because of Ronnie and his chanting. Jimmy went down the line shaking hands and signed a few autographs for some lucky fans.

[Sifiboy31]

Yah there was a sound check on monday at around 11:45. When he said "Were ready, open up the gates" It was only about 5 minutes until they opened up. Sound check was cool. I liked when everyone clapped for them. I tried to catch up with Jimmy after the show on monday, but I was to busy helping clean up the field.

[landshark04]

refering to the lady who threw the shirt at you....she is a very bad example of how parrotheads really are. She was probally a first timer, got totally hammered and the rest is history.