Okee dokee folks… Rising costs of everything is what’s on my mind this month. It really should be on everyone’s mind. The main things I will talk about here are gasoline and concert tickets. One of these is essential, but for some, both are.
I usually drive a pickup truck, for many reasons, but mainly for cargo and because I fit better in a truck (I’m tall). Lately, I have been driving my father’s car, which I don’t fit into very well, and it doesn’t have good cargo capacity. The main reason I drive it is $$$. The truck gets about 22mpg while the car gets 35mpg. When gas is up almost $2, I have to adapt. On top of that, I have to reconsider playing some out-of-state gigs. The profit margin was already slim before the rising fuel prices. Now, this is just my experience on a small scale. Imagine major touring artists who have to use tractor-trailers and buses that run on diesel (which is even more expensive). They just cannot absorb these increased costs, they have to pass them on. Tickets are already crazy expensive, but this is mainly the fault of greedy companies that handle the tours. I think this will affect the summer concert season, with higher prices or canceled shows. I have read about something called “blue dot fever.” The blue dots represent unsold concert seats. Too many and the show is canceled.
One of the huge peeves I have about concert tickets is that they go on sale so damn early. I know I have talked about this before, but this practice is ridiculous. I see tickets for events on sale a year in advance. Most people have a hard time planning their weekend, let alone a year ahead. My thought is that these tours just want your $ locked in as soon as possible. It’s usually greed. Couple that with rising gas prices and an uncertain economy, and a year from now you may not be able to afford to drive to a show – or, which is entirely a possibility, gas may even be unavailable or in short supply. Those who have not lived through gas shortages have never dealt with stations running out or odd/even rationing. And down the road, that money you spent on a concert ticket may be needed to pay your heating or electricity bills. We don’t know where we are headed. We have a deranged lunatic steering this country onto the rocks, and we are already suffering. If you’re not, then you’re fortunate, but there are more of us than you. These days many live hand-to-mouth.
Now I am in a bind here. My purpose is to talk about upcoming concerts and to promote them. Please don’t think that sometimes it doesn’t bother me to do so. To some, me included, music is essential in life – both playing and experiencing live. So I am going to walk the line and offer different options for folks. It’s the best I can do in these ridiculous times. Hopefully, somehow, and soon, this criminal regime can be dealt with permanently and we can return to a safe, sane, and affordable life. Read on…
Fortunately, during summer, there are a lot of free outdoor concerts to satisfy your music needs. Here are the free outdoor concert series in RI. I am just listing dates, not artists (space issue), but I will update throughout the coming months. Chase Farm in Lincoln; 6/13, 7/11, 8/1,8/22, 9/5. Music starts at 5pm. Bristol Concert Series; June 21 through July 2. Music starts at 6pm: FourthOfJulyBristol.com for more. The Rhode Island Folk Festival; August 30, Noon – 6pm, Crescent Park, East Providence, RhodeIslandFolkFestival.com. Tiverton Music Series, at the Bulgarmarsh Recreation Area: 8/18, 6/26,7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 8/17, 8/14; 6:30pm; Warren Folks Festival; August 15, 1-7pm, 30 Cutler St. NimFest at Kings Park, Newport; 3pm: 7/5, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, 8/2, 8/9, 8/16, 8/23. Concerts in the Park, Crescent Park, East Prov; 6pm: 6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/26, 7/2, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13, 8/20. Tunes on the Dunes, Westerly Town Beach; 6pm: 7/6, 7/8, 7/13, 7/15, 7/20, 7/22, 7/27, 7/29, 8/3, 8/5, 8/10, 8/12.
OK, this one is a well-spent ticket expense. I saw Herb Alpert at the Vets a couple of weeks ago. I have to say that it was truly one of the most amazing shows that I have ever seen. Even at 91, Alpert can still wow audiences with his music. I am not alone – I saw many folks posting about how spectacular this concert was. Many were disappointed they missed out. Well, you still have a chance! Herb Alpert will be at The Hanover Theatre in Worcester on August 2. I have been to this theatre a few times recently, and it’s an easy 40-mile drive. They offer lots of other wonderful events as well. For more, one-forty-six over to: thehanovertheatre.org. I know, gas and $, but, like I said, sometimes music is necessary.
This is one of my favorite bands, and it should be everyone’s as well: Del Amitri! They will be at The Strand in PVD on June 17. I have a podcast scheduled with frontman Justin Currie.
As I have mentioned, I will keep promoting Protest Music here. Songs by Ed McGuirl, The Amari, Jesse Welles, Eric Anderson, Carsie Blanton, Tom Chapin, and many, many more! You can check the new additions to the list here. Please keep sending them. If you have a song, send a public link of the music, and a copy of the lyrics to: RISongwriters@yahoo.com
BTW, please stop using AI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s it for now. I have been doing more and more interviews – you can listen to my podcasts at motifri.com/rootsreportpodcast and find my concert photographs at motifri.com/fuzeksfotos. Thanks for reading and listening.