Concert Ending at Camden

[FinsUp6835]

I don't think he can retire now , with his restaurants and Casino's , personally I think they suffer if he doesn't tour , or at least has standing engagements there. Out of site out of mind.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I have seen several different articles and posts which indicate Jimmy May be selling off his ownership of many of his own ventures.

He is not going anywhere. Sit back - relax and enjoy the rest of the ride!

[SeattleParrotHead]

I think Buffett has made no secret of the fact that he's scaling back his tours, which is what was behind the drive-in experiment and the implementation of Margaritaville TV. As much as he enjoys performing, I honestly don't think he'll ever completely give it up. I admire him for that as it sure beats the artists that say they're doing a "farewell" tour only to never actually go away. That's one of the things I looked up to Johnny Carson for. When he said he was going to disappear from the public eye following his retirement from The Tonight Show, he meant it.

Remember the Las Vegas show back in '05 or '06 when he led in with the video about Johnny Carson? At that time he said “When Johnny finally did retire, what I liked about it is, he really retired.”
I kinda think he'll do pretty much the same thing.... maybe a Freddy and the Fishsticks type thing from time to time, but I don't think he wants a big "Jimmy's Final Tour" type thing.
That's what I'm gonna do (soon, I hope) just one day people will notice I'm not around and ask "Hey, where did Mel go?"

[FunkHouse9]

I don't think he can retire now , with his restaurants and Casino's , personally I think they suffer if he doesn't tour , or at least has standing engagements there. Out of site out of mind.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I have seen several different articles and posts which indicate Jimmy May be selling off his ownership of many of his own ventures.

He is not going anywhere. Sit back - relax and enjoy the rest of the ride!

Just because he's not leaving yet doesn't mean he's not planning his exit strategy.

[ejr]

Just curious, does he usually say "see you next year"? I honestly don't remember now.

Not always, but frequently, especially in places he plays all the time--other than the Woodstock concert, I have not heard it.

[beachbum13]

...but I don't think he wants a big "Jimmy's Final Tour" type thing.

I don't know about that. I could see him doing a "Last Call" tour like George Strait & Brooks & Dunn. Jimmy never misses an oppurtunity to make money and a last tour would be huge!!!

Can you imagine the last date of the tour? The possibilities! The guests! Pay per view online! The money people would be willing to pay to attend his last concert! CHA CHING!!!!!

[PackerPhan]

So either Jimmy himself or someone from his group must read this page and forum. Tonight at Alpine he casted any doubt he would be retiring. Once the songs are posted, for those interested listen to his dialogue after Jamaica Mistaica and also during OPH he really emphasized "Not Yet" and made gestures with his hands like saying no. Maybe others caught onto that, that were there tonight but I guess it stood out more after this topic was posted.

[Tiki Torches]

I saw Merle Haggard in concert last night (a first for me). Dude's 77 years old and still hard after it. In a recent interview, this is what he said about retiring. I can't help but think Buffett would also go stir crazy if he were ever to fully retire.

Q: You’re still at it after more than five decades. Think you’ll ever retire?

A: Well, if I ever retired, I wouldn’t be doing much. I’ve just been off for six weeks and I was about bored to death. I’ve fished all my life and I play golf, but that don’t substitute for the road and playing shows and the high points of all we’ve accomplished in 50 years. The music is actually something I enjoy doing, even though the traveling’s not so much fun anymore. They’ve made it awful hard to travel.

[LIPH]

I saw Merle Haggard in concert last night (a first for me).

I was supposed to see him Friday night. I was on Long Island for the Buffett show at Jones Beach and I knew I'd be cutting it close, I was supposed to land at Myrtle Beach at 5:30 and showtime was 7:00. My flight out of MacArthur Airport on LI was cancelled, U.S. Air rebooked me on a flight from LaGuardia. That flight was 2 hours late so I missed my connecting flight. They rebooked me again and by time I got back to Myrtle Beach, off the plane, through the airport and to my car it was almost 10:00. I was really looking forward to the show too, the only other time I saw Merle was when he did the Last of the Breed tour with Ray Price and Willie Nelson.

[chippewa]

Before ending with Lovely Cruise at Alpine Valley last night, Jimmy said, "See ya when it thaws out next summer, we aint going anywhere."

Based on his track record of saying one thing and doing another, now I am worried that he's done.

[Tiki Torches]

I saw Merle Haggard in concert last night (a first for me).

I was supposed to see him Friday night. I was on Long Island for the Buffett show at Jones Beach and I knew I'd be cutting it close, I was supposed to land at Myrtle Beach at 5:30 and showtime was 7:00. My flight out of MacArthur Airport on LI was cancelled, U.S. Air rebooked me on a flight from LaGuardia. That flight was 2 hours late so I missed my connecting flight. They rebooked me again and by time I got back to Myrtle Beach, off the plane, through the airport and to my car it was almost 10:00. I was really looking forward to the show too, the only other time I saw Merle was when he did the Last of the Breed tour with Ray Price and Willie Nelson.

The fact that I even saw him in concert at all was complete happenstance. I was in Carrboro this weekend for the Southern Folklife Collection's 25th anniversary and was gifted with a ticket Saturday afternoon while at the Cat's Cradle for the festivities. Tift Merritt opened. Judging from the reaction from the crowd, she gained some new fans this weekend. It was a stripped down performance with just her and Eric Heywood (pedal and guitar) with a brief appearance from longtime band member Jay Brown on "Bramble Rose". Merle and his band were also in top form. The set was hits-laden but that's ok, he says in that interview that he works without a setlist and goes with the moment. He could probably play all night with a set comprised entirely of hit songs. I've seen very few country music artists of his stature in concert so it was cool to finally mark Merle off my list.

[FinsUp6835]

Sounds awesome Tiki. I am jealous-

Merle's greatest hits and a can of Skoal mint chew got me through prep school. God damn study hall for two hours a night. And of course JB albums.

[FunkHouse9]

Before ending with Lovely Cruise at Alpine Valley last night, Jimmy said, "See ya when it thaws out next summer, we aint going anywhere."

Based on his track record of saying one thing and doing another, now I am worried that he's done.

I don't think Jimmy is hanging it up, but do think he's cutting back simply because he said that's the plan. I've never been to Alpine, but from the impression I get of the experience there, I wouldn't have any reason to believe it would be one on the chopping block. I literally have money riding on Bristow being done with another BN'er. Just like your comment about Jimmy saying one thing and doing another, me having money against Jimmy returning to Bristow all but guarantees that he will.

[ScarletB]

Before ending with Lovely Cruise at Alpine Valley last night, Jimmy said, "See ya when it thaws out next summer, we aint going anywhere."

Based on his track record of saying one thing and doing another, now I am worried that he's done.

I don't think Jimmy is hanging it up, but do think he's cutting back simply because he said that's the plan. I've never been to Alpine, but from the impression I get of the experience there, I wouldn't have any reason to believe it would be one on the chopping block. I literally have money riding on Bristow being done with another BN'er. Just like your comment about Jimmy saying one thing and doing another, me having money against Jimmy returning to Bristow all but guarantees that he will.

I'm hoping GW is still going to be on his list - I have to believe it will be, of course I'm sure everyone feels that way about "their" venue.

[CheeseHead in Paradise!]

I've never been to Alpine, but from the impression I get of the experience there, I wouldn't have any reason to believe it would be one on the chopping block.

Haven't you heard? Alpine is a poorly designed, antiquated venue with poor acoustics and crappy sightlines. It's located in the middle of no where and stinks like a cow pasture. Worst of all, I heard it has wooden bleachers rather than seats - who knew?

Lord only knows why Jimmy still plays there???

[FunkHouse9]

I've never been to Alpine, but from the impression I get of the experience there, I wouldn't have any reason to believe it would be one on the chopping block.

Haven't you heard? Alpine is a poorly designed, antiquated venue with poor acoustics and crappy sightlines. It's located in the middle of no where and stinks like a cow pasture. Worst of all, I heard it has wooden bleachers rather than seats - who knew?

Lord only knows why Jimmy still plays there???

Did it sell out this year?

[chippewa]

Before ending with Lovely Cruise at Alpine Valley last night, Jimmy said, "See ya when it thaws out next summer, we aint going anywhere."

Based on his track record of saying one thing and doing another, now I am worried that he's done.

I don't think Jimmy is hanging it up, but do think he's cutting back simply because he said that's the plan. I've never been to Alpine, but from the impression I get of the experience there, I wouldn't have any reason to believe it would be one on the chopping block. I literally have money riding on Bristow being done with another BN'er. Just like your comment about Jimmy saying one thing and doing another, me having money against Jimmy returning to Bristow all but guarantees that he will.

I'm hoping GW is still going to be on his list - I have to believe it will be, of course I'm sure everyone feels that way about "their" venue.

My prediction for 2015:

An April leg, with shows in Tampa, West Palm Beach, Frisco and Charlotte.
May off.
Back in June, two weeks with six shows in the east or midwest. Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago, East Troy, Detroit, Atlanta
July off.
August, two more weeks with six more shows --wherever he didn't play in June. Boston, Camden, Bristow, Pittsburgh and Jones Beach twice.
September off, unless he wants to play a show in Paris.
October will be a couple of Las Vegas shows and a couple west coast shows.

That's about 20 dates. Enough to support his lifestyle, but not cramp his lifestyle. Only working about eight weeks (not counting rehearsal time)

If this sounds good to you, Jimmy, I'm really good at finding cheap hotel rooms and flights. You can travel first class and I'll book the rest of the band on ValuJet and they can stay at a local Motel 6.

[Finzup16]

I agree with Chippewa..4 shows in April and May. Then 6 in June, August and October.. He said earlier this year he is almost 68 years old and there are other things he wants to do. He said he would like to do about 20 shows a year. It'll probably be more like 25. The band will all be there because this is where they will earn the highest pay/stardom and notoriety.
24 to 28 shows allows ALMOST everyone to see him, albeit an old fashioned road trip or 3 day getaway. Those who can't fit into their schedule can watch on Margaritavillle TV

Didn't he say last year he approached 80 year old Willie Nelson and Willie said I'll stop playing when I have a reason to? Didn't Jimmy elude to envisioning the same for himself???

As for him not saying NOT YET. My only knock on Jimmy (I'm fortunate enough to see 2/4 shows every year) is that he preambles every song the same way. There's no surprise, I'd rather hear the opening riff and have to make that split second guess, then hear "everything below the waist"
The lack of SEE YA NEXT YEAR and so many endings on Lovely Cruise (plus some other good points in this thread) do damper my spirit a little but I just don't see him going anywhere, anytime soon

[Bucarader]

Before ending with Lovely Cruise at Alpine Valley last night, Jimmy said, "See ya when it thaws out next summer, we aint going anywhere."

Based on his track record of saying one thing and doing another, now I am worried that he's done.

I don't think Jimmy is hanging it up, but do think he's cutting back simply because he said that's the plan. I've never been to Alpine, but from the impression I get of the experience there, I wouldn't have any reason to believe it would be one on the chopping block. I literally have money riding on Bristow being done with another BN'er. Just like your comment about Jimmy saying one thing and doing another, me having money against Jimmy returning to Bristow all but guarantees that he will.

I'm hoping GW is still going to be on his list - I have to believe it will be, of course I'm sure everyone feels that way about "their" venue.

My prediction for 2015:

An April leg, with shows in Tampa, West Palm Beach, Frisco and Charlotte.
May off.
Back in June, two weeks with six shows in the east or midwest. Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago, East Troy, Detroit, Atlanta
July off.
August, two more weeks with six more shows --wherever he didn't play in June. Boston, Camden, Bristow, Pittsburgh and Jones Beach twice.
September off, unless he wants to play a show in Paris.
October will be a couple of Las Vegas shows and a couple west coast shows.

That's about 20 dates. Enough to support his lifestyle, but not cramp his lifestyle. Only working about eight weeks (not counting rehearsal time)

If this sounds good to you, Jimmy, I'm really good at finding cheap hotel rooms and flights. You can travel first class and I'll book the rest of the band on ValuJet and they can stay at a local Motel 6.

It would be a real slight if Jimmy only played Frisco and not The Woodlands.

[Nighthawk]

I hate to say it, but I see the end is near. He can not sell out like he used to. Tickets are widely available when he hits the stage. He isn't selling out like he used to. Is it that he is charging way too much, or people just do not have the disposable income anymore? No one really knows.... I know i don't have the income for a pair of tickets at @ $150+ a piece.... Yeah I know there is lawn, but I will not do lawn due to the weather. I think at most we have maybe at most 3 years if we are lucky. I for one, would much rather see him hang it up while he still can, maybe do a few select shows a year. Hopefully solo, but if not just a few select people with him on stage....and make it much more of an experience as it once was back in the day.

[FunkHouse9]

I hate to say it, but I see the end is near. He can not sell out like he used to. Tickets are widely available when he hits the stage. He isn't selling out like he used to. Is it that he is charging way too much, or people just do not have the disposable income anymore? No one really knows.... I know i don't have the income for a pair of tickets at @ $150+ a piece.... Yeah I know there is lawn, but I will not do lawn due to the weather.

But, the question is in the magic equation of cost vs. sales. If you drop every ticket by $10, then you lose $10 per ticket sold, but gain extra sales. Where is the break-even point? If $10 times the number of tickets sold at current prices is less than the total value of the unsold seats, then they have priced the tickets right to maximize profits even if it isn't sold out.

In Bristow, the only venue I can speak of from a semi-educated perspective, there were a good number of cheap seats unsold and an unknown number of lawn seats available leading up to the show, so it's hard to make that determination. But, that venue dug their own grave with the tailgate ban several years ago and it has not recovered from the damage that did to public opinion. So, it's a venue people prefer to avoid. Regardless, the seats sold well. The high-priced seats were 95% full and although there were more cheaper seats than in past years, all things considered, I'm not sure slightly lower prices would have accomplished. I would guess their magic price point was pretty close to on the mark all throughout the tour.