The Fred to stick with two concert format

Fri, 11/21/2008 - 12:34pm
By: The Citizen

Move allows season ticket holders to retain seats

The “Fun” will be back at the Fred for the 2009 season with the continuation of the Friday/Saturday night concert format, officials announced this week. According to Nancy Price, manager of the Fred, this will allow all season ticket holders and sponsors to retain their existing seats for the upcoming season.

Earlier this year an abbreviated schedule was contemplated with acts only staying one night instead of two, but that concept has been shelved, officials said.

The previous 10 concert, two-night series (20 total concerts), will be reduced to one six concert series (12 total concerts). The 2009 series will continue to host the same performer both Friday and Saturday nights.

The concert series is expected to run from May through Sept. These twelve concerts will be augmented with four spotlight concerts that target various genres of music.

The spotlight concerts will be one night performances and be scheduled throughout the summer. Season ticket holders will get first right of refusal on spotlight tickets.

Additional family and community programs are also expected to be added to the schedule.

For the patrons of the Fred this equates to a more streamlined renewal process. There will be only one subscription process for the entire summer, rather than an early summer and late summer signup.

The lineup for the series is expected to be announced in January with renewal letters sent during that same timeframe.

Amphitheater surveys are in the process of being compiled and results will be published for public review on the Amphitheater and city website. These surveys will provide input and direction from past and present patrons of the amphitheater, as well as Peachtree City residents regarding the 09 season at the Fred.

“We want to hear from the residents of Peachtree City” said Price. “The Fred belongs to the city, and the feedback from the citizens is very important to us. Our team is working hard to bring the fun back, and at the same time book a quality lineup that will offer something for everyone."

The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater is a 2,500 seat state-of-the art facility owned and operated by the city of Peachtree City. The Fred now falls under the Leisure Services Division, which oversees parks, recreation and library services. The box office is located at 201 McIntosh Trail, and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For further information regarding the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, you may call 770-631-0630 or visit the website at www.amphitheater.org.

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Submitted by bigdaddyk on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 10:57am.

A 6 concert series at 2 shows per concert is 12 shows, not 10.
Its 2500 seats total, not plus lawn.
The mathematical notation for the US dollar is in fact $ not %. Although they are located right next to each other on your keyboard, so I can excuse the mistake.

So, let’s recalculate:
2500 seats total
2500 X $40 (average) per seat X 12 shows = 1.2 million. This is assuming all concerts are completely sold out. Of course even if the greatest artist in the world comes to town that will NEVER happen. You have to factor in tickets for sponsors, which I am sure they get (if I coughed up $50,000 for a sponsorship you better bet I’d get some “free” tickets). Then factor in comp tickets for the band. Then promotional tickets given away through drawings, radio stations, etc. That’s maybe 150 total tickets. So, regardless of the band, all tickets will not be sold. I’d say The Fred would be happy with 80% (note the correct use of the % symbol) capacity.
2500 - 150 X 80% = 1880
So really:
1880 X 40 X 12 shows = $902,400

And no, you cannot assume the talent cost $40,000 (or %40,000 depending on how you note dollars). In case you haven’t noticed, musicians, even mildly successful ones (i.e. Felix Cavaliere) are on the rich side. There is a reason for that: 1) Royalties for music 2) They cost a lot of freakin’ money to bring to a venue. Take Kenny Rogers. My guess is that it cost somewhere in the area of $100,000 for the weekend, possible (and probably) more. Point is, they aren’t cheep. To the average person making $40,000 for two nights sounds like a good deal. Not so much for Kenny Rogers.

So, let’s give you the benefit of the doubt. Let’s say $75,000 for two nights. Which I assure you is on the cheap side for someone you’ve actually heard of.
$75,000 X 6 = $450,000

$902,400 - $450,000 = $452,400

So now we have $452,400 left.

Don’t forget the band’s rider. You know the stuff they say the venue has to provide back stage. That could easily run several thousand for each show.
$5000/weekend rider
$5000 X 6 = $30,000/series

Sound and lights. The shows would really suck without that. It is not feasible for a theater like The Fred to purchase, run, and maintain their own equipment. I’m sure they outsource that. My guess is that’s somewhere in the area of $10000 per show.
$10000/weekend lights and sound
$10000 X 6 = $60,000/series

Staff
Ushers make maybe $8 - $10 per hour, let’s say $9/hour. Probably need 20 ushers for 5 hours every show.
$9 X 5 = $45
$45 X 20 = $900
$900 X 2 = $1800/weekend
$1800 X 6 = $10,800/series

Cleaning up after a bunch of middle aged white Peachtree City drunks:
$1000/weekend
$6000/series

Let’s catch up:
452,400 - 30,000 - 60,000 - 10,800 - 6,000 = 345,600

General maintenance of facility = $25,000/year (no idea, probably higher)
Utilities = $25,000/year (no idea, probably higher)
Salary positions = $80,000 (no idea, probably higher)
345600 - 25,000 - 25,000 - 80,000 = $215,600

My guess is I’m missing an expense, but let’s say I am not. What does The Fred to with what seems to be a surplus? Maybe bring in an act that isn’t 25 years old. Maybe add padding to their seats. Maybe add seats. Improve facility. They do what every other business in the free world does: Make it so they get more business!

Submitted by Bonkers on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 1:23pm.

Well, you blew over a half million real fast there!

My typos (should have been corrected) are really chicken feed to your imagination!)

Well you raised the gross possible to 1.2 million due to 6 dates--are there six for sure?
The Fred used to sell out completely every series--I know I used to go for years until they started with the steel bangers and shouters at 130 db, using foul language. Old untalented dudes at that. There hasn't been 6 talented music writers among that whole 70-80s bunch--ever. (The words are useless.)

Free tickets for sponsors? Didn't they pay about 1-200,000 for those tickets for ads? More income.

You suppose they may take in income also from food and drink? If not they are crazy.

You dropped off 300K just for tickets to free ones, and added to 75 K for talent from my 40K!

$30,000 dollars for beer, Jack and dope and cold cuts backstage. Come on! OK some special meals for the sick to the stomach!

As to renting lights and sound at $60,000---wouldn't that indicate that we should invest!

Ushers at $11.000; cleanup at $6000 (don't the town have guys?); Maintenance and lights at 50,000: WOW. Expensive power--don't we have maintenance people?

Your kind of calculating is what invents jobs not needed and wastes money.

We don't need anyone who wants $75,000 to spend a full 30 hours with us!

Might take a little more work and connections but good talent is available for $40,000.

Submitted by bigdaddyk on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 2:04pm.

Just because you are a city doesn't mean you don't pay for electricity. It still cost money to turn the lights on. That's fine if you don't think $75000 is a fair price. I would be inclined to agree. But you'll have to settle for acts that are out dated and not interesting. When that happens people will complain about the acts. If it's not the talent it's the money. You can't have your cake and eat it too. If you know of good talent available for $40,000 please contact the people at The Fred. Fill out the survey that is going around. They would love to find top notch acts for $40,000 that people would pay money to see. Thanks for bringing up maintenance people. They get paid too, forgot about that one. That money has to come from somewhere, city employees get paid too. True, they probably use city employees to clean up, and yes, they get paid as well. And concert quality lights and sound systems are very expensive and have to be run by trained professionals. Local teenagers and middle aged women with nothing better to do couldn't do it. If you want it to look and sound right you've got to have the right equipment and operators. My guess is the people who do their sound and lights have invested a lot of money into equipment just for The Fred. In the long run it is better to go with and outside company because you will always have the latest and best equipment, and the outsource company eats the cost.

sniffles5's picture
Submitted by sniffles5 on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 1:41pm.

Bonkers, I was over at The Smoking Gun, trying to see just how much the acts at the Fred actually cost. Didn't find hard numbers, but some of the requirements that the performers had were pretty stiff!

Chuck Berry required a penthouse suite at a 5 star hotel and a $200 a day meal allowance (he'll provide receipts).

Wayne Newton demanded unlimited complimentary room service at his hotel.

Kansas required a "female volunteer" to sell Kansas T-shirts for one hour after the show. Plus, they required one quart of prune juice backstage!

Kenny Rogers demanded 60 free tickets between rows 2 and 10 plus a table for 8 off to the side for his wife. He also demanded a professional drycleaner onsite at 2 pm before a show and no uniformed police officers between himself and the audience.

The Beach Boys demanded a masseuse backstage.

These costs add up!!


Submitted by Bonkers on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 3:54pm.

You didn't find any "hard" numbers for the acts, nor any soft one either.
That seems to be "Top Secret" as was all other details of that operation! It is what NO OPENESS gets us!

A quart of prune juice and a masseuse doesn't cost $60,000.
There are NO 5 STAR Penthouses anywhere near here for Chuck Berry!

How much did that female volunteer cost to sell t-shirts? $1,000?

Yes, town employes do work for the town, and they get paid whether there is a show or not! I think their hours are flexible.

What is the purpose in defending such outrageous spending?

Mike King's picture
Submitted by Mike King on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 1:59pm.

should be leased to a private firm or even sold so as to get the city out of the retail business. Peachtree City has proven itself incapable of effectively managing much of anything over the past twenty years, so why would providing city oversight to these two entities be an exception?

The sale or lease would be an instant revenue plus up for the city with the additional benefit of lowering operating costs. The hiring of the Amphitheatre Manager is a step in the right direction, but who is to say that she will not abandon the Fred for greener pastures? After all, this is the manner in which she came.

Ownership or a long term proprietary arrangement for these city venues is a better alternative.

Just my two cents worth.


Submitted by Bonkers on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 4:02pm.

No Mike, that has never worked anywhere to make any money for a city!

Atlanta owns the Airport but has never gotten a dime out of it for their budget! It goes, if any profit is shown, for more capital, or more equipment, or more, more. Never a dime to Atlanta.

Movies never make any money for anyone except those who get paid as they go---they always show a loss at the end---even Potter!

That is why it would be important to have a recreation director who knows what he or she is doing! It is a big operation but should pay their salary and cost of operation at least.
However the Mayors, town managers, council people, etc., need to stay out of it just like they stay out of the Police department. (or do they).

Give the person a raise or fire them if they don't accomplish the above. Just like they do Generals--I hope!

Submitted by Spyglass on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 11:01am.

And I assure you, there is not that much of a surplus right now. Why do you think they made a move and brought in a new director?

I enjoy the shows, and I'm not TOO picky about the talent myself. Where else can I enjoy a nice golf cart ride to a concert less than 1 mile from my house? No parking fees, no traffic to speak of...just good times.

All in all, I like the direction this new director seems to be taking the Fred.

Submitted by Bonkers on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 1:00pm.

Have you seen them spy? What were they?
How can I see them?
I thought they were mixed with the Tennis Center? (for a purpose).

Submitted by Spyglass on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 3:46pm.

Don't ever forget it. IT'S ALL ONE BIG CONSPIRACY!!

Submitted by mrpeterg on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 10:49pm.

Need some better acts headlining the show. Preferbly within he last 10 years.

Submitted by Bonkers on Sat, 11/22/2008 - 5:14am.

I can't think of any worth seeing at their prices within the last ten years!
Usher, you mean, maybe? (about $100,000)
50 cent, maybe?
Studdard, maybe?
The odd kid who won Talent show, name escapes me?

Genius talent has no age!

Submitted by Spyglass on Sat, 11/22/2008 - 3:31pm.

You and Nit and $$$ can sit at home and listen to the voices in your head. Smiling

Submitted by Bonkers on Sat, 11/22/2008 - 4:17pm.

I'm just fed up with gittar plunkers that make em whine while they yell sumthang one can't decipher without a play sheet!

Drinks, weed, and pills before and after keep em goin.

Submitted by Nitpickers on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 4:11pm.

Let's calculate:

2500 seats plus lawn
2500 X %40 per seat X 10 shows = one million dollars
(don't know what that other intermediate stuff might be)

Can we assume pay for talent at 40,000 for two shows?
That is $200,000 for five 2-day gigs. (unless of course "Fats" is coming)

Now what can we do with $800,000 left over for other stuff?

Submitted by Spyglass on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 2:56pm.

Thanks for the work....

dawn69's picture
Submitted by dawn69 on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 2:18pm.

I want to thank you for taking the time to visit us at the restaurant. I do hope everything was satisfactory. We have been struggling in this faltering economy and need all the support we can get.

I am in the process of putting together a coat or toy drive at Latitude 33. I spent the morning looking into charity organizations like the Fayette Samaritans, Fayette Youth Protection Homes, Christian City, and the Atlanta Union Mission. Then it occurred to me...why not conduct a toy drive to benefit Wulfman's Wish.

I need to find out which charity it is that Wulfman wishes to donate to and I may need a couple of empty 55 gallon drums to use for donations. We, the restaurant, would like to offer a discount (maybe 10% off entire check) to anyone bringing in toy or coat donation.

If you or Cy can let me know which charity - I will be glad to get the ball rolling with this. Maybe Cal would have this info at the office of the Citizen.

Anyone with any questions or info can contact me at the restaurant 770-461-0200. I am usually there after 2:30 everyday. Ask for me by Shannon.


Main Stream's picture
Submitted by Main Stream on Mon, 11/24/2008 - 2:34pm.

That's your restaurant? Very cool!

We'll stop by this week for lunch or dinner. We'll be bouncing off the walls soon and in need of an escape, since the kids are out of school all week.

btw - do y'all serve wine/beer or martini's??


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