I agree that politics played a huge part in this story - it's focus and it's timing. But, I'm so mad....I don't really care.

I'm also mad that I was stupid enough to not figure this out before. It only makes sense when you think about it. The artists strike a deal with TM... there had to have been corruption at that point. All the little guy scalpers couldn't possibly have made deals with TM... you know? Since the artists couldn't fight the scalping going on... they decided to beat them at their own game. Only WE are the losers... because if you can't afford to spend over $600/ticket... your chances are slim of ever getting a really good seat. It's possible mind you... but you have to either be lucky or be willing to wait until shortly before the date and risk not getting tickets.

Glad you use the word "alleged" although that word should come after the word "team" rather than in parentheses in all fairness. We still haven't heard the whole story--we only have one Channel 5 blogger's report.

And you'll never get me to believe that Keith personally made money from AFTH concert. Those premium seats helped to bring in big money, along with all the merchandise and vendors.

Funny they didn't mention Kenny, who is really considered to be the biggest name in country music--he's been doing the auction seat deals for years, long before KU or some of the other superstars started doing it.

Politics, when it comes to the blame game.

The thing is... I don't expect anything less from individual scalpers... they're out to make a buck and they can get away with it.

My issue is that Keith's team does it on the sly (allegedly?)...that's what really bothers me... I can't deny it.

Things aren't the way they used to be, cougar...that's for sure...Several years ago, I paid double the ticket price for up front seats...I thought that was bad...but 650.00 for front row seats scalped by fan club members is simply awful...There has to be a better way...

Plus, they ordered a hold on another 150 so-called "Platinum" or "TicketExchange" seats. TicketExchange was an area of Ticketmaster's web site that claimed to have tickets being resold -- usually at inflated prices -- by other fans.

"What could be better?" Lefsetz exclaimed. "The act says, 'They don't know. They're blaming the scalpers, and it's going directly to me.'"

Urban's team says Keith took the deal to help finance his highly praised effort to make tickets available for 20 bucks during his nationwide tour. His own web site called it a "True $20 Ticket," quoting Urban as saying that he knew that "people out there are hurting."
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LOL..so the poor fools that HAVE to sit close (and can afford to pay through the nose) pay him to make up for the money he loses by offering the $20 seats... all in good faith. He loses nothing. Wow.

I would have no problem with artists raising the face value of tickets in the first so many rows... and scaling down the further away you went. One problem would be if they over-inflated the face value prices and people didn't buy them.

I also don't have a problem with auctioned off seats either. At least you know who is making the profit. It's upfront and honest. That would be a safe way for the artists to make as much as people are willing to pay (and eliminating the unwanted middle man) without having to eat any tickets.

I understand and agree that scalpers aren't needed and don't deserve to make a profit by ripping people off... but the artist getting in on that deceitful game just isn't right. OH, and ticketmaster wins either way... with their extraordinary fees they hit everyone with. I loathe ticketmaster.

The timing of this thing bothers me too, Savvy. And why focus on Keith when nearly all of the superstars, particularly those nominated for EOTY do the same thing. I don't like it, and hope TN passes a law to stop the scalping. But to focus on just one or two artists is wrong. If you're going to name names, name them all. Don't pick out one and make him the scapegoat for all the others. Frankly, I'mm surprised they would do this right before the CMA's; they would get a huge audience whenever they decided to come up with today and tomorrow's stories. "I'm not blind," either but I want to know the facts and hear BOTH sides of all this before I judge Keith or any of the others for that matter. I've been as frustrated as everyone else that when it comes to getting good seats at Keith's and other superstars' concerts. Question is--who's really to blame?

The timing of this thing bothers me too, Savvy. And why focus on Keith when nearly all of the superstars, particularly those nominated for EOTY do the same thing. I don't like it, and hope TN passes a law to stop the scalping. But to focus on just one or two artists is wrong. If you're going to name names, name them all. Don't pick out one and make him the scapegoat for all the others. Frankly, I'mm surprised they would do this right before the CMA's; they would get a huge audience whenever they decided to come up with today and tomorrow's stories. "I'm not blind," either but I want to know the facts and hear BOTH sides of all this before I judge Keith or any of the others for that matter. I've been as frustrated as everyone else that when it comes to getting good seats at Keith's and other superstars' concerts. Question is--who's really to blame?

Look, most of this information isn't really news to industry insiders. In fact many of us have complained in the past about why it was premium seating was never made available through pre-sales or general sales. We blamed TM and others for it. How much blame is to be laid at Keith's (and other artists') feet will be sorted out within the next week I'm sure. And I won't be giving Keith or anyone a free ride if they are guilty of the kind of practices this article spells out. savvy, I agree with you. I'd like to hear some kind of statement from Keith about this but I don't see that happening. Even if a portion of all this is true, what can he really say? "Sorry folks...it won't happen again?"

Regardless; at the moment the thing that's upsetting me the most is the timing of all this. Can you imagine the crap that'll be flying around if Keith happened to win EOTY? OMG...he'll be crucified! Whether it was Channel 5's intention or not...this is indeed a PR nightmare. It wouldn't surprise me if it effects his new single.

I simply dont like the timing of the story. I hope Keith comes out with some sort of an official statement on this.

10,000 tickets for fanclub members for HOF concert?
I don't see auction seats for HOF but I could be wrong. Packages are only about 50 seats?

Sorry, for whatever reason the story posted twice, even though it only shows once when I try to edit it...

I don't know exactly what to think...I did see the auction tickets with my own eyes...The sommet Center only had 4491 tickets to sell at the public sale...Television advertising said that all tickets were just $25.00...But even before they went on sale, we knew there were afterparty packages with tickets starting at $1000.00...As a former journalist myself...news is news when it is news...news becomes stale quickly...especially in an internet world...Do I think they set on the story just for this week...Could be, but that would have made them vulnerable to being scooped by someone else...Bob Lefsetz is usually pretty complimentary to Keith...He writes the Lefsetz letter blog...The Taylor Swift part, concerns recent concert seats reserved for the very rich...I guess we will just have to see how it all plays out...


Here's another interesting story about scalping...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill designed to curb prevent scalpers from jumping in front of others waiting to buy tickets online.

Last year's "Hannah Montana" tour sparked the legislation.

Thousands of tickets for concerts based on the popular television series vanished before parents could buy them for their children. The tour featured Miley Cyrus, who portrays the lead character on the Disney Channel program.

Scalpers and brokers reportedly used special software that bypassed online security and enabled them to jump in front of other online buyers for tickets.

State Rep. Gary Moore of Joelton introduced a bill banning the use of the special software to prevent brokers and scalpers from buying large blocks of tickets. The bill is meant to" ensure an equitable ticket buying process."

Anyone caught using such software to grab blocks of tickets for any form of public entertainment -- such as concerts, sporting events and theatrical productions - will face hundreds of dollars in fines.

Parents such as Lou Nave said it will level the playing field.

She said she can't afford the huge mark-up over the face value scalpers often demand.

She said many parents try to acquire the tickets "but they're gone before we get a chance."

The bill is expected to pass the state Senate and go to Gov. Phil Bredesen for approval.

"I think it will make girls happy next time ‘Hannah Montana' comes to town," Moore said.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill designed to curb prevent scalpers from jumping in front of others waiting to buy tickets online.

Last year's "Hannah Montana" tour sparked the legislation.

Thousands of tickets for concerts based on the popular television series vanished before parents could buy them for their children. The tour featured Miley Cyrus, who portrays the lead character on the Disney Channel program.

Scalpers and brokers reportedly used special software that bypassed online security and enabled them to jump in front of other online buyers for tickets.

State Rep. Gary Moore of Joelton introduced a bill banning the use of the special software to prevent brokers and scalpers from buying large blocks of tickets. The bill is meant to" ensure an equitable ticket buying process."

Anyone caught using such software to grab blocks of tickets for any form of public entertainment -- such as concerts, sporting events and theatrical productions - will face hundreds of dollars in fines.

Parents such as Lou Nave said it will level the playing field.

She said she can't afford the huge mark-up over the face value scalpers often demand.

She said many parents try to acquire the tickets "but they're gone before we get a chance."

The bill is expected to pass the state Senate and go to Gov. Phil Bredesen for approval.

"I think it will make girls happy next time ‘Hannah Montana' comes to town," Moore said.

I think they twisted a bit with HOF concert. Keith gave out many tickets to fanclub and then they said it's was a manipulattion to join fanclub i.e. making money. Which I don't agree. I don't think not too many people join fanclub between the announcement and presales.

It's been mentioned same for Neil Diamond. Celine Dion did it. I think what they questioned and what Keith's management answered are all true (to an extent). Except a few points such as they made people join fanclub around HOF concert (that's a bit of a stretch). (That auction & platinum thing is official scalping. initially I thought it's done by TM, but after Neil Diamond report, they said artist and TM shared the profit). Last year, Taylor said she won't do those auctions since it's scalping; not sure she's doing those for 2010 shows.

And we all know where those 20$ tickets are, and only limited numbers. I'm not sure whether there's a bit of manipulation with 20$ thing (if you are expecting floor/lower level), but some people who can't afford high price were very happy just to be there with 20$.

I just read that tonight Channel 5 will be continuing this report only with Taylor Swift as the focus.

Lots of accusations being hurled on many blog sites including Channel 5's. Many people asking why, of all times did they pick CMA week to run this story? Obviously for the ratings...lots of out-of-towners to watch their broadcast.

27...you live in Nashville...what do you think?

If this is true, I won't go to another show of his ever. I knew ticketmaster was corrupt... it was obvious when tickets showed up on various sites by scalpers way above face value...before they were even on sale. It never entered my mind that the artists "people" would be IN on it though... but, now that I think about it... I guess I'm not surprised.

Not only do you have the little scalpers trying their best to scarf up good seats, but you have the artists "people" demanding good seats to sell above face value? IF this is true... I will be outraged. Seriously.

I've tried getting tickets through ticketmaster presales and it's amazing what crap comes up right at 10:00 AM. They can keep their tickets. I won't support scalping by the little guys or the big guys... and Ticketmaster can go to he## too.

A very disturbing report. The scalping thing has always been disturbing but the accusation that Keith has been involved, personally made me sick to my stomach. I want to jump to defend him but...I think I'll hold off. I'm not naive enough to believe everything I read. I'd like to see if any other news agency picks up on this and what their take is. If this is true it will break my heart. I know Keith isn't perfect but I never believed him to be dishonest. I hope this is just a case where at the worst, his people were doing all this without his knowledge. Of course, that would make him stupid. I guess that's not as bad as the latter.

I read over the article...I did see auctions on the Ticketmaster site for those tickets...I thought it strange at the time...It was like I could pay my 25.00 and end up wherever...But where would I end up if I could afford the auction thing...It is a very interesting story...Eventually the 50 US Attorney General's are going to have to get involved in the Ticket scalping thing...Now if an artist is scalping their own tickets...And I'm certainly not saying that they are, that's a whole other kettle of fish...And just as stinky...When things start going to the highest bidder in entertainment, the real fans, lose...

I guess they figured since it's going to happen... they might as well get in on the game??? Hmmmm.... I'm not real happy with THIS news....