Jim James McKittrick Hotel 2/20

[itrainmonkeys]

Thanks for clarification Wade. It's much appreciated :)

[e_wind]

I didn't read this thread at all. it looks mighty frustrating. Gotta say though, NY is getting 3 shows in 3 days, and there are only 4 announced.

I have to say that I get frustrated sometimes when NY is treated so well and Louisville is "saved" for one-off events that come less than annually at times. I mean, home court advantage.... I could give a shit less about an overhyped show at the Yum Cetner, let the home town get the 3 night runs. surely they know that if any city could sell out 3 nights outside of NY, its Louisville.

[Penny Lane]

Thanks, Wade. Much appreciated.

I should have phrased bait & switch as the effect, definitely not the intent. I have the utmost respect for the management. I just think the miscommunication led many people to buy a pricey ticket to something that they might not have otherwise.

ewind---i have no doubt L-ville is gonna get a special show on this tour

[itrainmonkeys]

I didn't read this thread at all. it looks mighty frustrating. Gotta say though, NY is getting 3 shows in 3 days, and there are only 4 announced.

I have to say that I get frustrated sometimes when NY is treated so well and Louisville is "saved" for one-off events that come less than annually at times. I mean, home court advantage.... I could give a shit less about an overhyped show at the Yum Cetner, let the home town get the 3 night runs. surely they know that if any city could sell out 3 nights outside of NY, its Louisville.

I'm not 100% on this so it could be wrong but doesn't Jim James live in New York now? Could be a factor. I know for sure he's a big fan of Sleep No More so maybe playing that show was a special treat for him.

People keep talking about the 3rd Jim James show but the Carnegie Hall thing is a multi-artist event. To me that's a bit different and it's not like it's a full Jim James show (though I'm sure it's worth it with the other artists).


That said....I can't help but feel lucky about so many NY shows. There are times i'm jealous of other locations though (Red Rocks shows are one, the Forecastle Fest shows are another).

[Penny Lane]

I didn't read this thread at all. it looks mighty frustrating. Gotta say though, NY is getting 3 shows in 3 days, and there are only 4 announced.

I have to say that I get frustrated sometimes when NY is treated so well and Louisville is "saved" for one-off events that come less than annually at times. I mean, home court advantage.... I could give a shit less about an overhyped show at the Yum Cetner, let the home town get the 3 night runs. surely they know that if any city could sell out 3 nights outside of NY, its Louisville.

I'm not 100% on this so it could be wrong but doesn't Jim James live in New York now? Could be a factor. I know for sure he's a big fan of Sleep No More so maybe playing that show was a special treat for him.

People keep talking about the 3rd Jim James show but the Carnegie Hall thing is a multi-artist event. To me that's a bit different and it's not like it's a full Jim James show (though I'm sure it's worth it with the other artists).


That said....I can't help but feel lucky about so many NY shows. There are times i'm jealous of other locations though (Red Rocks shows are one, the Forecastle Fest shows are another).

i'm pretty sure he doesn't live here anymore..and i have my master's in stalking..

(and when i say here, i mean this planet )

[MrWhippy]

Hello Roll Callers & Forum Friends,

In response to some of the questions and concerns regarding today's announcement, here is a bit more clarity on what we are seeing being discussed:
The Sleep No More show will be a full set from Jim and his live band performing Regions Of Light And Sound Of God as well as other surprises.  And this show is SOLD-OUT.
The Sleep No More theatrical experience (which isn't a traditional play but really a killer interactive experience) is included in the $110 ticket which normally sells for $75-$105 a ticket.  We encourage you to show up early and attend this as this play is a meaningful part to the entire evening's theme and experience.
There was no "bait and switch" evil plan in place and for reasons beyond our control, the Sleep No More show needed to be announced before the other shows.  The McKittrick Hotel/Sleep No More is a non-traditional theatrical experience and they go about announcing shows/events differently from other concerts you and we are accustomed to attending.
The mention of Jim's "debut solo NYC show" in relation to Sleep No More wasn't intended to be untruthful.  Due to capacity and pricing constraints of the Sleep No More show, we wanted to do another show in Brooklyn that allowed more fans to have that 'first experience' of Jim's performance in NY at a price-point that was that much more accessible. Both Manhattan and Brooklyn will indeed be unique and dynamic and to say that Jim is excited about all the shows is an understatement.
Thank you for your questions and we hope to have provided you with total clarity.

Jim James/My Morning Jacket
Roll Call Fan Club & Management

Thanks Wade, I appreciate all that you guys do, and I trust that the intentions behind this were good. 

If you look at what I bolded from your message and then see the way this played out for Roll Call members, I think you can see that for Roll Call members it had the opposite effect of what you say was intended.

We were given info just about one, pricier show with hints that it was an exclusive area performance, and this partial info led some of us to make different choices than we would  have if we had all the info.

I think things played out fine for non-Roll Call members.  They got the email at 10:30 this morning with all the different show options presented at the same time, so they can decide what they want to do. 

Maybe just something to consider for the future when doing things for Roll Call is just to make sure we are informed to the fullest extent. 

If these other shows had to be announced differently from the SNM show, as you said, then maybe you guys should have made the SNM show announcement along with a separate informal note to Roll Call that there would be another option for an area show, and that details were coming later.

[e_wind]

He lives in louisville

[robb]

Hey Robb,

Yes, I don't want to appear ungrateful at all by complaining, as we are lucky to live within striking distance of the only announced shows.

It's just the way the info has been distributed that is frustrating.  Particularly for those of us who figured out to travel to the one announced and significantly more expensive show (assuming that the Jim part is what we most care about) to then find out that there are other much cheaper and more convenient shows.

I just have a feeling this Sleep No More show has the potential to be the most special of the entire solo tour.  Sure, it's pricier, but in the end I think it'll be more than worth it.

Signed,
A hopeful fan living in MI who gets tired of NY getting all the cool stuff 

[itrainmonkeys]

He lives in louisville

i'm pretty sure he doesn't live here anymore..and i have my master's in stalking..

(and when i say here, i mean this planet )

I stand corrected.....I should have known better because I just read that Relix article where they mention it. Not sure why I was thinking that lol.

[GO4IT]

Thank you for your questions and we hope to have provided you with total clarity.

Jim James/My Morning Jacket
Roll Call Fan Club & Management

With all due respect, Wade, no, you have not provided "total clarity".  I don't buy into any of the evil intent comments posted on the board and I'm quite sure these shows will be amazing.

That said, the problem here is the lack of professionalism and transparency/clarity in announcing shows and providing for a reasonable number of tickets for the presale.

Roll call members should have been provided with more insight into the number of shows and where they would be, not just have them dribbled out like they may be the only ones. We're all rabid fans and want to catch at least one of Jim's shows and many purchased tix thinking that there might not be other shows available to them, only to find out that was not the case a couple of days later.  I'm OK with short notice but not OK with getting a VERY limited view of what a tour will look like.

The other big problem is the lack of tickets for Roll Call presales.  Today was a complete joke and not the first disaster.  I was on a microsecond after 3PM EST and got a pick list, picked 2 tix and on the next click got a "sold out" message.  A similar thing happened for Port Chester.  I'm all for "total clarity".  Tell us how many tickets were available for Philly and Brooklyn in the presale.

This is not my line of work but most of us on this forum with some common sense could easily figure out how to do this right.  Please get someone who won't bungle the next opportunity - it can't be that hard.  And have them work with the venue on Roll Call entry.  This is not rocket science.

We love this band and Jim and your are just adding frustration and stress to their fans when you should be facilitating access to the band and making it a painless process.

Please get your act together in a hurry - we really don't need to hear more excuses.

[the_wizzard]

That said, the problem here is the lack of professionalism and transparency/clarity in announcing shows and providing for a reasonable number of tickets for the presale.

This

Roll call members should have been provided with more insight into the number of shows and where they would be, not just have them dribbled out like they may be the only ones.

And this

I'm OK with short notice but not OK with getting a VERY limited view of what a tour will look like.

Oh, and this too

I'm all for "total clarity".  Tell us how many tickets were available for Philly and Brooklyn in the presale.

Yep...this as well

We love this band and Jim and your are just adding frustration and stress to their fans when you should be facilitating access to the band and making it a painless process.

Well said

[Fully]

Thank you for your questions and we hope to have provided you with total clarity.

Jim James/My Morning Jacket
Roll Call Fan Club & Management

With all due respect, Wade, no, you have not provided "total clarity".  I don't buy into any of the evil intent comments posted on the board and I'm quite sure these shows will be amazing.

That said, the problem here is the lack of professionalism and transparency/clarity in announcing shows and providing for a reasonable number of tickets for the presale.

Roll call members should have been provided with more insight into the number of shows and where they would be, not just have them dribbled out like they may be the only ones. We're all rabid fans and want to catch at least one of Jim's shows and many purchased tix thinking that there might not be other shows available to them, only to find out that was not the case a couple of days later.  I'm OK with short notice but not OK with getting a VERY limited view of what a tour will look like.

The other big problem is the lack of tickets for Roll Call presales.  Today was a complete joke and not the first disaster.  I was on a microsecond after 3PM EST and got a pick list, picked 2 tix and on the next click got a "sold out" message.  A similar thing happened for Port Chester.  I'm all for "total clarity".  Tell us how many tickets were available for Philly and Brooklyn in the presale.

This is not my line of work but most of us on this forum with some common sense could easily figure out how to do this right.  Please get someone who won't bungle the next opportunity - it can't be that hard.  And have them work with the venue on Roll Call entry.  This is not rocket science.

We love this band and Jim and your are just adding frustration and stress to their fans when you should be facilitating access to the band and making it a painless process.

Please get your act together in a hurry - we really don't need to hear more excuses.

This is why GO4IT is a wise man. Sometimes it's as if the people that run this "fan club" don't really understand that they aren't just providing a service to the band. You are also providing a service to the fans. I don't think that any of you truly understand things from our perspective. We aren't a bunch of kids. We are professionals in our own fields. Perhaps each of you should be required to go through the process with us, from trying to snag a very limited number of tickets to waiting in line to get early entry at a venue where no one who works there has any clue that we get early entry, to trying to figure out if we are in the right place to get our roll call tickets or can we get our will call tickets or dang it I had a death in the family and can I please transfer these to someone who can actually use them issues. Maybe you should hire one of us to handle fan relations. We actually understand what the problems are. We love this band and enjoy going to see them as much as possible, but we don't really enjoy paying extra to get services that seem to be an afterthought at best. We should be singing your praises, but we obviously aren't. You are supposedly helping us get to do our favorite thing. But then we have the hassle of dealing with the confusion. If you experienced going to a show with us, from the anxiety some of us get causing us to line up way too early to the anxiety created by unclear communication from ground control, you might have some insight into what you need to do to provide your customers with a positive user experience. Maybe the only people who are considered your customers are the artists that you work with. Maybe we just aren't all that important. However, if we didn't buy your "fan club" package you wouldn't have much of a purpose. Please understand that I'm trying to help you improve your business. This criticism is meant not to run you down, but to give you some insight into what the problems truly are.

[MrWhippy]

Wade, I think another example of how communication could be better is that no communication is being provided as to whether these Feb. Jim dates are part of his full tour, or just a handful of shows before a full tour that will stop again in these markets.

For example, I know other people in DC where I live that are considering going up to the Philly or NYC shows because they don't know if they will have options for shows closer to them at a later time. 

My hunch is that these are just a small bunch of shows and that there will be a full, bigger tour later with other stops in Philly, NYC (or close to NYC) and other big east coast stops.  It would sure help people out to know that, though.  Again, even just an informal announcement would do if nothing specific can get announced yet.  I can't see any harm in doing that, these Feb. shows will sell out regardless, they don't need additional hype around them of people thinking they are their only chance for a Jim show.

The venue for the Philly show seems very small, and thus it might save lots of stress and anxiety for people if they knew there would be another chance to see Jim in Philly a bit later.  It also might result in less people trying for tickets for these shows if they knew they will have shows later in their cities and don't need to travel for these ones.  Thus it would help that situation on several levels if we had a bit more info about the tour.

[ericm]

Man, this thread sure did get Yac'd! Might as well chime in.

All great points, and helpful suggestions for Ground Countrol. I'd also like to add one that I find to not only be troublesome, but makes NO sense to me.

PLEASE have a Ground Control rep either  on site or available to be reached by phone at ALL events that you are a part of. There were several ticket snafus at PC for example that could've been cleared up in a nano second if someone from Ground Control was available.

It seems a bit odd to me  that you close up shop, and wouldn't be at the ready on days/nights of shows that you have sold tix to, and are a part of. Common sense tells me that I sure as hell would have someone available  to contact if this were my business. It's bad business not to. Hell, even Ticketmaster can be reached by phone if there's an issue with tix. It's  as if once the tix are purchased we're left to fend for ourselves. That would be fine if we were mailed hard tix, and didn't have will call and an early entry to try and work out.  It seems to me once we get the email about early entry times, that an entry process has been worked out in advance. Definitely not so for PC, or a few other shows I've been to with early entry. An available rep would be SO helpful.

PC night one was a nightmare for Roll Callers who got there early for entry, but also had to pick up tix at will call. No need at all for big fans who support the band  in so many ways  including paying to be a part of their Fan Club to have to deal with all that stress, and confusion on show days. A rep on site, or phone call is needed,and should be available.

Lastly, PLEASE reconsider the tix only at will call, and not mailed issue. It would make our lives so much easier if we got the tix mailed or had that option. If that's not possible, how about  at least allowing Roll Calllers to transfer tix to another Roll Caller? They'll stay in the family that way, and not put us at risk of having to eat tix like so many of us have had to. Things come up, e.g. Friends cancel, work schedules, etc and we can't make a show. It's a tough call for us now, because we usually don't get much notice for a presale, and while going to a particular show is appealing,we have to make that call without really being able to workout all the plans on our end. Knowing we could pass the tix along to another Roll Caller if something comes up, will make purchasing them a little easier to do. I know I've eaten some, and won't be buying "in the hopes I can go" anymore.

[headhunter]

Well said my friends.

[BH]

Mailing the tickets defeats the whole purpose of how Roll Call avoids people scalping tickets.

[e_wind]

Man, what's that one famous Ozzy lyric about gettin off track?

While its on the table, though: What everyone here said. PC was a nightmare. BUT, some shows earlier in the year when there was some sort of rep on site worked so much easier. Sure, there was problems, but they got solved quickly.

My biggest problem with GC though, is the ticketing process. How is it that non-roll callers got better seats by a long shot than many of us during the public sale? I bought shitty seats from roll call, then got seats that were literally twice as close from ticketmaster days later. So I payed 240$ for a pair of NYE tickets, basically, and the seats still weren't great.  I'm really glad I pay an annual fee for that. And, don't try to say that's unavoidable because the 10club would never let the public beat out their members.

And obviously, this ain't an isolated incident.


I'm sure you don't want my advice, but here it is: ditch G(C) for a company that deals with artists with more in common. I.e. bands with loyal (ok, psychotic) fans like phish instead of One Direction or whatever the flavor of the month bands GC takes care of.

Fully's point about you all being so disconnected from us sums it up pretty perfectly. And, it's obvious.

[mahg33ta]

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/02/how-should-you-treat-your-best-customers.html

[Jacdos]

This thing has been a clusterfuck. I mean look at the tourdates page, it says My Morning Jacket will be playing at the McKittrick. If thats not misleading, I dont know what is.
I'm frustrated because after successfully booking my stay at the Hotel, lol, I went and bought my plane ticket. I totally would have skipped another day of work for the Brooklyn show and flown in on the 19th. Now I have to pay for another plane ticket.
First world problems, I guess.

[e_wind]

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/02/how-should-you-treat-your-best-customers.html

bravo.