….And some background on why there are so few shows this year

Well Today is the Day !.Where did Summer Go ?This years “Recession 2.0 Version” Features a more limited Schedule of Big Shows at the Grandstand  There are 12 days of the fair………..

However,there are only 8 shows this year……….

Of those 8, ; 1 is a Comedian [ Jeff Dunham ]

,  and 2 are motorsports events………

which according the the State Fair Press Releases is In keeping with the economic malaise,

but actually has a lot to do with the spat state fair management got into with Concert and Ticket Monopoly, Live Nation.

This company has been allowed by the Obama administration to consolidate its position as a “one stop shop” for artists ,offering Personal management,tour bookings ,and recording contracts in a

“get lump sum payment” format which is very appealing to artists, especially the “classic” acts in there declining years who are sick of the dealing with and paying many separate companies.

From the consumer standpoint the company now holds a virtual monopoly in the ticket reselling business due to the justice dept allowing the merger with ticketmaster

.                                                                                                              They have been actively pushing fees for tickets higher and have been involved in lawsuits with the Canadian government for gouging ticket buyers.Live nation is a big proponent of “virtual tickets” which will take away ticket buyers property right to resell a ticket purchased .

This strategy was used to great effect by the airline industry to steal money from the consumer using “national security” as the excuse for dis-allowing a person other than the purchaser to use a Airplane ticket.

Even Greyhound is now using this excuse to gouge consumers by applying a “service fee” if a person other than the name on the ticket tries to use it for a bus trip!.

It gives the venue the ability to charge for seats that are never used and not refund the money.Incidently, Live Nation is Actively buying Venues Large and small .

It uses the Service Corp of America model, whereby when they purchase a ma and pa funeral home they leave the signs and name as it was so the customer doesn’t realize that a large company owns it.

Since the Live Music business is already so small, the effect will be worse than the funeral home industry.

This is because even most large cities have only a few concert halls and 10-100 night clubs that feature live shows ,and few over 2000 person capacity.

Get the idea ?…vertically and horizontaly integrated oligopoly/monopoly.

So it is with some sympathy that we observe the actions of the State Fair director, who,after complaints about the takeover of the wine court as well as other issues ,such as the recently revealed report from the state auditor condeming the no-bid contract with Live Nation , gave the  Big Jumbo of Concerts the Heave ho !.I guess he gets a “a” for guts …but not for business savvy and knowing your pecking order in the world of show business….

The Director in 2009[before news of the auditors findings],… refused to again give a no-bid contract exclusive to book all entertainment at the Chevy Court and the Grandstand to them.Press reports said at the time that the Live Nation had demanded a “rain or shine ” per seat guarantee for every seat in the grandstand which would shift the weather risk -to the fair and -away from the promoter [live nation].

What was the upshot of this ?                                                                                         “shunned” to paraphrase the Amish [you know what it means to be shunned ?]

“blacklisted”

or to use Live Nation speak ;                                                                                                 “It is our policy to only do business with our partners”. This is the reason there are weak shows at the Fair this year..                                                                                                                                                  .In some respects they did a ok job to get anyone.But then when you consider the idea is the use the Big acts to feed the blooming onion / corn dog business…it is obvious a detente will have to be arranged ……..or break up the Live Nation Monopoly?……….                                                                                           Another byproduct of this dust up is what looks like a massive overpayment for the Classic rock band Aerosmith.                                                                                              Ticket prices for this evenings show are around $100 which as far as I know is the highest recorded price at the N.Y. State Fair [in the worst economy]. This Seems to contradict the directors emphasis  on low dough events.                                                                                                                                  Press reports have put the take for well preserved Steve Tyler [two years older than Mick jagger ..67? 68?] and the gang at 1.2-1.8 million.Did the State Fair get raked over the coals by Aerosmith because the “word on the street” was that Live Nation had put a Ban on the N.Y. state fair and they were desparate for a Marque act ?.                                                                                                     My guess is this show will sell no more than 8-10 k out of the 18k grandstand capacity due to the high ticket price.                                                                                                                                   If it sells out no one will care what they paid but since only Justin Beiber has sold out so far at 1/2 the price it seem a tall order.That is a lot of gate  money for a arena show much less a state fair !                                                                                            . Well look at it this way; more time to see the free shows

	En Vogue Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 2:00pm
	Kool & The Gang Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 8:00pm

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	Blue Öyster Cult Friday, August 27, 2010 at 2:00pm
	Kansas Friday, August 27, 2010 at 8:00pm

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	‘Man v. Food’ host Adam Richman Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 2:00pm
	Styx Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 8:00pm

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	Trailer Choir Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 2:00pm
	Blues Traveler Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 8:00pm

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	Steve Lippia with the CNY Jazz Orchestra Monday, August 30, 2010 at 2:00pm
	30 Seconds to Mars Monday, August 30, 2010 at 8:00pm

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	Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 2:00pm
	“1964″… The Tribute Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 8:00pm

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	Chef Mario Batali Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 2:00pm
	Lady Antebellum Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 8:00pm

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	Eli Young Band Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 2:00pm
	Little Big Town Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 8:00pm

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	Justin Moore Friday, September 3, 2010 at 2:00pm
	Coheed and Cambria Friday, September 3, 2010 at 8:00pm

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	Mitchel Musso Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 2:00pm
	Robert Randolph & the Family Band Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 8:00pm

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	Katharine McPhee Sunday, September 5, 2010 at 2:00pm
	Keith Sweat Sunday, September 5, 2010 at 8:00pm

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	Jackyl Monday, September 6, 2010 at 2:00pm
	Marc Broussard Monday, September 6, 2010 at 8:00pm