Hand Me Some Pliers, I'm Pulling Teeth

Okay, many of you have been coming here to find out information about the upcoming American Idol mini-tour in Texas. I've been passing along the information as it has been made available to me, but I've come to a stalemate as to (a.) what venues are being played and (b.) where to go to order the tickets. So, on the advice of Will's mother, I contacted the concert promoter.

What a HUGE mistake. I have never EVER in my life run into a bigger group of addle-brained jerks.

I sent a simple email letting them know that I knew of the shows, I knew which towns they were in, and I knew which performers would be there. ALL I needed to know were the venues and the ticket ordering info. Should've been ONE simple email. Instead, I got this email back. "What is your phone number, web site address & your business address??????"

Oooooookay. Never had to do that before. Not really keen on doing it now. You see, phone number is sort of a private thing for me. I responded simply: "You can contact me here. My web site address is jdmatthews.blogspot.com"

I mean, it's not like I'm asking for nuclear arms secrets here.

Then I get this in response: "Sorry bro, need a name & phone number. We don't operate with people we don't no... If you can't be called then we don't no who we are talking to on e-mail. Please do not post anything until you speak with me at
727-xxx-xxxx, Scott"

???

First clue this guy has terminal moron is using "no" instead of "know." I almost feel sorry for him at this point. But then again, he IS the one selling a concert, and ALL IN THE WORLD I'M ASKING FOR is WHERE THE FLIPPIN' THING WILL BE.

Exasperated, I mailed him back again, giving him my phone number, and saying "All I'm looking for is the name of the venues for the American Idol tours and where tickets can be ordered. I have fans hammering me wanting to know the info, and there are several nationwide who are planning on flying to Texas to catch the show. So, I mean, y'know, releasing the information early and all might be helpful to your bottom line."

And the fans are wanting to come. This from the Anthony Federov forums: "it's getting kind of late and its nice to have time to book a good deal with the airlines. I think you get a better deal if you book way ahead. I wonder if these venues are inside or outdoors, what do they cost, where do you get tickets? What about motels and how close are the cities, if I couldn't do all 5 I wouldn't bother and is Anth at all five?So many questions, no answers. I have this feeling we're in for a dry spell concerning his appearances, such a shame."

Hmmm...sounds like fans are chomping at the bit.

But not so, according to this stupid promoter. "Sorry bro, No bottom line here, these are promotional shows with sponsors. People aren't flying in from all over the conuntry to see this, maybe one or two groups, that's all... We really aren't interested in any national exposure on this but I put in a request to get you all locations you wanted/requested."

So basically what he's saying is "screw you, I don't need your coverage." And he's saying to fans "don't bother." He's already been paid by his sponsors, so he doesn't care if the show is a sell-out or if nobody comes at all. Basically, he feels like he's doing the world a favor by existing.

Um, sorry Scottie, but according to the FAN FORUMS, people ARE wanting to fly in from all over the "conuntry." And they would. I've seen it happen before. (There's this little thing called the American Idol tour that makes millions each year. And you should've seen people flying in from New York to Tennessee to see Jessica Sierra this past June.) The only problem is THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO. And they don't know HOW TO SEND YOU MONEY.

So I'm putting it out there from here on out, because I especially want you former Idols to read this: Vegas VIP Group is a CRAP group of poseur promoters. You can count on them to abuse and mistreat your fans, be aloof, and care nothing about you or promoting you, so long as they have their money in their hands. They're basically everything you hated about 19 Entertainment, minus all the good stuff.

If I get any further information from these guys about the concerts, which I doubt, since apparently Scott has a debilitating case of the butt-head, I will post it, but from now on, I consider communicating with Vegas VIP Group a bad investment, and I discourage all performers from using them.