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While we wait for a Fenway or Great Woods announcement, let me add yet another possibility to the mix, although this one is probably less likely.

I talked to a friend of mine who is a higher-up at Gillette. Due to the nature of his position, he can't reveal any information until it is made public and has to be extremely tight-lipped about things. I asked him if he had heard any rumors for shows at Gillette this summer. I specifically asked him if he's heard anything about JB and he said that Gillette has had some negotiations with Buffett management about a possible show this summer. That is the only information he was willing to give me and is far from meaning a show will happen there.

From what he has told me over the years, Gillette and other venues negotiate with many acts heading into the concert season. Some of those negotiations eventually turn into shows and others do not. For instance, last year he eventually told me that they had negotiations with management for both the Rolling Stones and Billy Joel. Neither show ended up happening. The Stones eventually went to the Boston Garden and Billy Joel held off on touring until this year and decided to go with Fenway.

So, my news is only that Buffett management has been in contact with Gillette. It may simply mean that JB wanted to compare the numbers between playing a show at Fenway or Gillette?

From the rumors that everybody has been posting here in recent weeks, the Fenway show sounds like it is more likely. Or who knows...maybe he will surprise us and end up back at Great Woods after all?

Happy February!

-Eric

Here is an article from the Boston.com music section. Prior to the Billy Joel announcement this past week, they were speculating on the acts who might play Fenway this year. JB made their list as a possibility...


Who will play Fenway Park?
Boston Music Spotlight, Staff

Live Nation has revealed they will announce a special summertime concert for Fenway Park on Thursday.

In September, Boston Red Sox officials appeared before the Mayors Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing to request permits for concerts to be held between August 7 and 9. No performers were revealed but they were reportedly targeting rock and country acts. The ballpark could also host concerts in June, July and September.

Over the past decade, Fenway Park has hosted some of the biggest names in music. Paul McCartney returned last year for his second stand at the ballpark, while Jason Aldean made his debut. The country star has since partnered with Major League Baseball for a tour that will have him visiting numerous ballparks this year. However, so far, he only has plans for the Xfinity Center when visiting Massachusetts this summer. Many other acts that are worthy and capable of playing Fenway have either lined up dates at other area venues (Gillette Stadium, TD Garden, Xfinity Center) or simply have no plans for touring.

So, with that in mind, who might it be? Here’s a look at the potential candidates:

Pearl Jam: Let’s just get it away at the start since every time a concert at Fenway is in the works, there will forever be speculation that the Seattle legends will perform. Theo finally got his wish last summer… when they performed at Wrigley Field in Chicago. After their songs were used by FOX to score the World Series last fall, it only seems right that they rock America’s Most Beloved Ballpark this summer. Like every summer before, we can only hope.

Billy Joel: If you’re a betting man, this is where you wanna put your money. The Piano Man has already lined up stadium shows at ballparks in Wrigley Field (Chicago), Nationals Park (Washington D.C.) and Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia). So it only seems logical that Fenway would be next on the list. And since his touring schedule seems to fit these dates perfectly, this seems to be a lock.

Zac Brown Band: Another safe bet. The Red Sox want a country act and they can’t go wrong with the pride of Georgia. One of the best live bands in the game, the country rockers would surely be a hit at the box office. Not to mention, it would be cool to see an act that was playing the old Harpers Ferry in Allston just a few years ago. We just wish they would invite a certain special guest: Dave Grohl, with whom they recently recorded an EP with.

Jimmy Buffett: Back in 2004, he brought Margaritaville to Fenway Park for a show he recorded and later released on CD. Could he return ten years later? He has not yet announced his summer plans but most Parrotheads would prefer a show in the more tailgate-friendly confines that Mansfield offers.

Bruce Springsteen: He started the new wave of summertime concerts at the ballpark in 2003 and returned again in 2012. His latest album, High Hopes, was released earlier this month and fans are eagerly awaiting news on a North American tour. We’re thinking Gillette is a safer bet this time around.

Garth Brooks: The king of country recently announced his long-awaited return to live touring with a pair of summertime performances in Dublin, Ireland. No word yet on his plans for a stateside tour but you can bet on him playing a few stadiums. We just don’t expect him to announce anything yet.

Kenny Chesney: When Brooks retired, Chesney took on the gauntlet for country stardom. However, he plans on taking 2014 off. Not to mention, “No Shoes” nation headquarters is in Foxboro (they even have a banner there).

U2: The legendary rockers are expected to return to the spotlight this year. A new album is on the way and a Super Bowl commercial is in the works. A tour announcement this early seems unlikely and there is speculation that they may prefer to do multiple arena shows in tour this time around.

MonumentBeach wrote:Here is an article from the Boston.com music section. Prior to the Billy Joel announcement this past week, they were speculating on the acts who might play Fenway this year. JB made their list as a possibility...


Who will play Fenway Park?
Boston Music Spotlight, Staff

Live Nation has revealed they will announce a special summertime concert for Fenway Park on Thursday.

In September, Boston Red Sox officials appeared before the Mayors Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing to request permits for concerts to be held between August 7 and 9. No performers were revealed but they were reportedly targeting rock and country acts. The ballpark could also host concerts in June, July and September.

Over the past decade, Fenway Park has hosted some of the biggest names in music. Paul McCartney returned last year for his second stand at the ballpark, while Jason Aldean made his debut. The country star has since partnered with Major League Baseball for a tour that will have him visiting numerous ballparks this year. However, so far, he only has plans for the Xfinity Center when visiting Massachusetts this summer. Many other acts that are worthy and capable of playing Fenway have either lined up dates at other area venues (Gillette Stadium, TD Garden, Xfinity Center) or simply have no plans for touring.

So, with that in mind, who might it be? Here’s a look at the potential candidates:

Pearl Jam: Let’s just get it away at the start since every time a concert at Fenway is in the works, there will forever be speculation that the Seattle legends will perform. Theo finally got his wish last summer… when they performed at Wrigley Field in Chicago. After their songs were used by FOX to score the World Series last fall, it only seems right that they rock America’s Most Beloved Ballpark this summer. Like every summer before, we can only hope.

Billy Joel: If you’re a betting man, this is where you wanna put your money. The Piano Man has already lined up stadium shows at ballparks in Wrigley Field (Chicago), Nationals Park (Washington D.C.) and Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia). So it only seems logical that Fenway would be next on the list. And since his touring schedule seems to fit these dates perfectly, this seems to be a lock.

Zac Brown Band: Another safe bet. The Red Sox want a country act and they can’t go wrong with the pride of Georgia. One of the best live bands in the game, the country rockers would surely be a hit at the box office. Not to mention, it would be cool to see an act that was playing the old Harpers Ferry in Allston just a few years ago. We just wish they would invite a certain special guest: Dave Grohl, with whom they recently recorded an EP with.

Jimmy Buffett: Back in 2004, he brought Margaritaville to Fenway Park for a show he recorded and later released on CD. Could he return ten years later? He has not yet announced his summer plans but most Parrotheads would prefer a show in the more tailgate-friendly confines that Mansfield offers.

Bruce Springsteen: He started the new wave of summertime concerts at the ballpark in 2003 and returned again in 2012. His latest album, High Hopes, was released earlier this month and fans are eagerly awaiting news on a North American tour. We’re thinking Gillette is a safer bet this time around.

Garth Brooks: The king of country recently announced his long-awaited return to live touring with a pair of summertime performances in Dublin, Ireland. No word yet on his plans for a stateside tour but you can bet on him playing a few stadiums. We just don’t expect him to announce anything yet.

Kenny Chesney: When Brooks retired, Chesney took on the gauntlet for country stardom. However, he plans on taking 2014 off. Not to mention, “No Shoes” nation headquarters is in Foxboro (they even have a banner there).

U2: The legendary rockers are expected to return to the spotlight this year. A new album is on the way and a Super Bowl commercial is in the works. A tour announcement this early seems unlikely and there is speculation that they may prefer to do multiple arena shows in tour this time around.

I heard ZBB from someone who works for the Sox , I actually posted the Billy Joel show a few weeks ago . The other name they are being told is Elton John , and that there are two weeks during the summer , that concerts are planned at Fenway. Stay tuned

In 2012 the official Great Woods announcement came out on March 17th (a defacto holiday)
viewtopic.php?p=3911779#p3911779

In 2013 the official Great Woods announcement came out on February 14th (a defacto holiday)
viewtopic.php?f=40&t=89224&start=540


What defacto holiday will they use this year?

Income Tax Day?

I was thinking of D-Day.

BottleofRum wrote:In 2012 the official Great Woods announcement came out on March 17th (a defacto holiday)
viewtopic.php?p=3911779#p3911779

In 2013 the official Great Woods announcement came out on February 14th (a defacto holiday)
viewtopic.php?f=40&t=89224&start=540


What defacto holiday will they use this year?

he missed Groundhogs Day!!!!

[sigh]

I looked at TM this morning and they show Buffett in Austin, TX 5/31. The last couple of years the tour schedule has been Saturday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday then a couple of weeks off before the next leg. If he's in Texas 5/31, I don't think he'll be anywhere in New England 6/7.

Cincinnati is Monday, July 21st. so a Massachusetts date could be in that general time.

BottleofRum wrote:Cincinnati is Monday, July 21st. so a Massachusetts date could be in that general time.

I have heard a ton of July 4th rumors over the last couple days. That'd be cool.

drunkpirate66 wrote:

BottleofRum wrote:Cincinnati is Monday, July 21st. so a Massachusetts date could be in that general time.

I have heard a ton of July 4th rumors over the last couple days. That'd be cool.

That would be awesome.

Saturday, June 14th is still open, too.

drunkpirate66 wrote:

BottleofRum wrote:Cincinnati is Monday, July 21st. so a Massachusetts date could be in that general time.

I have heard a ton of July 4th rumors over the last couple days. That'd be cool.

I already have tickets for James Taylor at Tanglewood for the 3rd, I know a bunch of people have tix for the 4th. This will be interesting

July 5th would be a Saturday. Catch a Sox game on Friday, Jimmy on Saturday!

One of my ex- Coast Guard friends who I keep in touch with is a State Trooper in MA. Every year he tells me about potential details these guys are offered based on the "bigger" concert events that get scheduled a half year ahead of time. He has heard Buffett has been toying with various venues. He wouldn't be able to get a Fenway detail but he texted over last weekend that Buffett around July 4th weekend might be a go this year out in Mansfield. Who the f" knows what will happen but I can you in the past Jimmy's dates have aligned the schedule my friend received through the barracks.

drunkpirate66 wrote:One of my ex- Coast Guard friends who I keep in touch with is a State Trooper in MA. Every year he tells me about potential details these guys are offered based on the "bigger" concert events that get scheduled a half year ahead of time. He has heard Buffett has been toying with various venues. He wouldn't be able to get a Fenway detail but he texted over last weekend that Buffett around July 4th weekend might be a go this year out in Mansfield. Who the f" knows what will happen but I can you in the past Jimmy's dates have aligned the schedule my friend received through the barracks.

You were right last year.

If it is July 4th it will mean I miss my first GW show since I first went in 1993. My wife's parents own a house in Maine on an island so that's were I'll be that week.

FWIW, there has not been a concert at GW on July 3-4-5 anytime in at least the last 12 years. With poor ticket sales last year for Buffett it wouldn't make much sense to have a concert the week one of the biggest vacation weeks of the year.

Yeah . . . I doubt it too.

I have JT tickets for the 4th...maybe we will here something soon , now that other dates are coming out.

TommyBahama wrote:I have JT tickets for the 4th...maybe we will here something soon , now that other dates are coming out.

Quite a few BNers at Tanglewood those two days. Mitch and Bets and I have tix for the 3rd.