Styx/REO free tickets, no takers

[fsutall]

I am fortunate to work for a company that has a corporate suite in our local arena and frequently shares tickets to events with employees. I work closely with the woman who manages the tickets, and have been able to attend several events that I would have passed on if I'd had to pay for tickets.

So I received a call from this lady last Wednesday asking if I would like free tickets to sit in our suite for the REO/Styx/Night Ranger concert tonight (Nov. 15). I almost accepted them immediately but figured I should make sure my girlfriend would want to go. Turns out she has no interest so I check with a few friends, including Sterling AKA Rockwriter. Still no interest (although Sterling has a good excuse in that he is hosting a new radio show Sunday evenings that everybody should check out, Long Live Rock at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LongLiveRock) so I tell Carolyn that I appreciated the offer but would not be able to use the tickets.

That was Wednesday. On Friday Carolyn was literally walking through the building offering the tickets to ANYBODY who would take them. When I left Friday afternoon she still had them!! I work for a fairly large company with several hundred employees in our local office so you would think somebody would take the tickets. The suite is stocked with good food and adult beverages, and the tickets even come with a parking pass for the VIP lot adjacent to the arena. I've been working there for over a year and have never seen tickets for any event go unclaimed.

So just out of curiosity I asked several of my colleagues why they didn't claim the tickets and I received a variety of responses: "I already have plans"..."I've never heard of any of those bands"..."They all suck"..."I'm already going to the Titans football game that day"..."It will just be a bunch of old people"..."Too much hassle to get a babysitter"...etc.

Not sure if I really have a point in posting this other than I just found it a bit sad. I don't care for REO and I'm not crazy about Styx without Dennis but I hate to see this complete lack of interest. So is this an isolated incident or a sign of things to come? Has the REO/Styx pairing run its course? Should REO and Styx be playing arenas at this point or would they be better off sticking with smaller auditoriums and theaters? Thoughts?

[chowhall]

My daughter goes to school in Nashville. She would have taken them.

[Everett]

If i was in the area i'd have taken them.

[bugsymalone]

I am no fan of Current Touring Styx, but, with all those perks? I would have taken those puppies and gone to that show.


Bugsy

[froy]

I am fortunate to work for a company that has a corporate suite in our local arena and frequently shares tickets to events with employees. I work closely with the woman who manages the tickets, and have been able to attend several events that I would have passed on if I'd had to pay for tickets.

So I received a call from this lady last Wednesday asking if I would like free tickets to sit in our suite for the REO/Styx/Night Ranger concert tonight (Nov. 15). I almost accepted them immediately but figured I should make sure my girlfriend would want to go. Turns out she has no interest so I check with a few friends, including Sterling AKA Rockwriter. Still no interest (although Sterling has a good excuse in that he is hosting a new radio show Sunday evenings that everybody should check out, Long Live Rock at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LongLiveRock) so I tell Carolyn that I appreciated the offer but would not be able to use the tickets.

That was Wednesday. On Friday Carolyn was literally walking through the building offering the tickets to ANYBODY who would take them. When I left Friday afternoon she still had them!! I work for a fairly large company with several hundred employees in our local office so you would think somebody would take the tickets. The suite is stocked with good food and adult beverages, and the tickets even come with a parking pass for the VIP lot adjacent to the arena. I've been working there for over a year and have never seen tickets for any event go unclaimed.

So just out of curiosity I asked several of my colleagues why they didn't claim the tickets and I received a variety of responses: "I already have plans"..."I've never heard of any of those bands"..."They all suck"..."I'm already going to the Titans football game that day"..."It will just be a bunch of old people"..."Too much hassle to get a babysitter"...etc.

Not sure if I really have a point in posting this other than I just found it a bit sad. I don't care for REO and I'm not crazy about Styx without Dennis but I hate to see this complete lack of interest. So is this an isolated incident or a sign of things to come? Has the REO/Styx pairing run its course? Should REO and Styx be playing arenas at this point or would they be better off sticking with smaller auditoriums and theaters? Thoughts?

The jig is up the news is out
This game is over
Even free tickets are worthless

[weatherman90]

That's bizarre!

I know I'm outside of the norm, but I was dying to see the Styx/REO tour this year. I'm still upset that I ended up being unable to go, especially as the tour goes on and on now with Night Ranger.

Don't say they're done with arenas - that's just depressing! The rumor for '10 is STYX - FOREIGNER - KANSAS. Oh yes!

[Toph]

That's bizarre!

I know I'm outside of the norm, but I was dying to see the Styx/REO tour this year. I'm still upset that I ended up being unable to go, especially as the tour goes on and on now with Night Ranger.

Don't say they're done with arenas - that's just depressing! The rumor for '10 is STYX - FOREIGNER - KANSAS. Oh yes!

It's time for them to give it up. They are an embarrasment now. Obviously, someone in the band is in a world of debt

[chowhall]

That's bizarre!

I know I'm outside of the norm, but I was dying to see the Styx/REO tour this year. I'm still upset that I ended up being unable to go, especially as the tour goes on and on now with Night Ranger.

Don't say they're done with arenas - that's just depressing! The rumor for '10 is STYX - FOREIGNER - KANSAS. Oh yes!

It's time for them to give it up. They are an embarrasment now. Obviously, someone in the band is in a world of debt

YOU are the embarrassment!

[weatherman90]

That's bizarre!

I know I'm outside of the norm, but I was dying to see the Styx/REO tour this year. I'm still upset that I ended up being unable to go, especially as the tour goes on and on now with Night Ranger.

Don't say they're done with arenas - that's just depressing! The rumor for '10 is STYX - FOREIGNER - KANSAS. Oh yes!

It's time for them to give it up. They are an embarrasment now. Obviously, someone in the band is in a world of debt

C'mon. Life is too short for that nonsense

[Everett]

I think you forgot what board your on weathermen.

[Ash]

Damn! I'd have gone. I had nothing going on last night and no kid. The girlfriend and I sat home bored. Wish I had known

[Toph]

That's bizarre!

I know I'm outside of the norm, but I was dying to see the Styx/REO tour this year. I'm still upset that I ended up being unable to go, especially as the tour goes on and on now with Night Ranger.

Don't say they're done with arenas - that's just depressing! The rumor for '10 is STYX - FOREIGNER - KANSAS. Oh yes!

It's time for them to give it up. They are an embarrasment now. Obviously, someone in the band is in a world of debt

YOU are the embarrassment!

Wow, how long did it take you to come up with that one? (Again, the mental capacity of Tommy Shaw fans which are why his lyrics are so simplistic..)

[Everett]

So ddy fans or more superior than right?

[Zan]

They are an embarrasment now. Obviously, someone in the band is in a world of debt

YOU are the embarrassment!

Wow, how long did it take you to come up with that one? (Again, the mental capacity of Tommy Shaw fans which are why his lyrics are so simplistic..)

Oh yes. Sure. Uh huh. Absolutely. Yup.

Whooooaa! I like BIG things!
yip-yip-yip-yip-yip-yip BOW BOW
Hip-hop, hip-hopcracy - Hip-hop
Machine or mannequin with parts made in Japan
I flip the switch on my laser video
Oh, my BALLS!

"Obviously" someone on this board isn't a detective.

Always make sure when comparing superior intellectual song lyrics that the standard isn't being held by anyone who has written lyrics like this. Not saying he hasn't written some great, deep lyrics, but the fact that any of the above lyrics exist should be enough to make any fan with any common sense STFU. (and yes, I'm aware the last quote isn't lyrics - but was written by your superior, insightful, non-laid-getting lyricist, nontheless)

[yogi]

I would have gone too.

I didnt know Tennesse did rock concerts.

I read that the only person to ever sell out in that state in last 20 years there is Billy Ray Cyrus.


Then again I guess Styx started selling out back in 1999 ( Froy now likes me again!!)

[Abitaman]

I would have went too, about 2 hrs from Nashville!!!

I would have paid too!!!

[fightingilliniJRNY]

I was at the show last night in Nashville. They had the Sommet Center curtained off at about the halfway point, and the seats that were available were nearly sold out. I'm a bad judge of attendance, but I'd say there were about 5,000 there last night. Night Ranger played for 40 minutes and did a good job of getting the crowd warmed up. They're just fun to watch. Tommy Shaw joined them on stage for Damn Yankees' "High Enough." Pretty cool.

REO came on next and played for about 70 minutes. They were really solid, as usual. They played Golden Country and Son Of A Poor Man, plus the usual greatest hits. They had the crowd going pretty good.

Styx was set to come on after a 15-20 minute break to change the stage, but they were delayed for about 15 minutes longer when they couldn't get Gowan's keyboard to work. They had to switch out cables and do some other work on the keyboard, but finally got it fixed. Well, then the house lights went down and we sat in the dark for 5 minutes until Styx came out - with no video board and no lights. They were just playing under the glow of these overhead lights on the lighting rig and spotlights. Apparently everything just quit working right before they came on. The lights and video board were back by about the third song. Tommy Shaw didn't sound all that good, and overall I thought Styx was average on this night.

[Abitaman]

I would have gone too.

I didnt know Tennesse did rock concerts.

I read that the only person to ever sell out in that state in last 20 years there is Billy Ray Cyrus.


Then again I guess Styx started selling out back in 1999 ( Froy now likes me again!!)

now Yogi, I would not move to a place that did not have Rock shows!!!

Their are rock shows here every day http://www.seerockcity.com/

[fightingilliniJRNY]

I didnt know Tennessee did rock concerts.

All the major rock tours come through Nashville. They used to play at the amphitheater, but that was closed down and now all tours go through the Sommet Center arena. AC/DC always comes through, KISS was just in town, Journey always passes through, Bon Jovi's there in April...

[bugsymalone]

...they were delayed for about 15 minutes longer when they couldn't get Gowan's keyboard to work. They had to switch out cables and do some other work on the keyboard, but finally got it fixed. Well, then the house lights went down and we sat in the dark for 5 minutes until Styx came out - with no video board and no lights. They were just playing under the glow of these overhead lights on the lighting rig and spotlights. Apparently everything just quit working right before they came on.

To quote the line from The Beatles' "Help". "Sand. In the generator."


Bugsy

[chowhall]

That's bizarre!

I know I'm outside of the norm, but I was dying to see the Styx/REO tour this year. I'm still upset that I ended up being unable to go, especially as the tour goes on and on now with Night Ranger.

Don't say they're done with arenas - that's just depressing! The rumor for '10 is STYX - FOREIGNER - KANSAS. Oh yes!

It's time for them to give it up. They are an embarrasment now. Obviously, someone in the band is in a world of debt

YOU are the embarrassment!

Wow, how long did it take you to come up with that one? (Again, the mental capacity of Tommy Shaw fans which are why his lyrics are so simplistic..)

At least I know how to spell embarrassment you moron coward simpleton.

[mr.v]

I was at the show last night in Nashville. They had the Sommet Center curtained off at about the halfway point, and the seats that were available were nearly sold out. I'm a bad judge of attendance, but I'd say there were about 5,000 there last night. Night Ranger played for 40 minutes and did a good job of getting the crowd warmed up. They're just fun to watch. Tommy Shaw joined them on stage for Damn Yankees' "High Enough." Pretty cool.

REO came on next and played for about 70 minutes. They were really solid, as usual. They played Golden Country and Son Of A Poor Man, plus the usual greatest hits. They had the crowd going pretty good.

Styx was set to come on after a 15-20 minute break to change the stage, but they were delayed for about 15 minutes longer when they couldn't get Gowan's keyboard to work. They had to switch out cables and do some other work on the keyboard, but finally got it fixed. Well, then the house lights went down and we sat in the dark for 5 minutes until Styx came out - with no video board and no lights. They were just playing under the glow of these overhead lights on the lighting rig and spotlights. Apparently everything just quit working right before they came on. The lights and video board were back by about the third song. Tommy Shaw didn't sound all that good, and overall I thought Styx was average on this night.

Too bad you co-workers didn't take the tickets it was a fun night of music!

My daughter and I were in the cheap seats but still had a good time, the sound over all last night was not the greatest. It was the first time in about 20 years that I had seen Night Ranger and they were as good as I remembered. REO was REO - too much talk and down time between songs. When they did play, it was great but all the talking and breaks really slowed down their set. STYX was really good - not as good as when we saw them at the beginning of the tour in Montgomery AL. but still playing great with lots of energy. I think last night we saw a reaction to technical problems and just being tired from the road. I have friends that work for the arena and STYX's late arrival on stage was because they were in the back rehersal hall with Martina McBride and Brad Pasley and did not get the call that the problems with the keyboard had been fixed in time for them to make their entrance on time. We did get a Chuck appearance last night and to my suprise he played over half the set with the guys. I will say that I don't see how REO follow's STYX every other night, STYX's energy is over the top and REO's set just drags.

[Everett]

I can hear it now if dennis was still in the band everything would've worked and they would've played over two hours....

[Babyblue]

I was at the show last night in Nashville. They had the Sommet Center curtained off at about the halfway point, and the seats that were available were nearly sold out. I'm a bad judge of attendance, but I'd say there were about 5,000 there last night. Night Ranger played for 40 minutes and did a good job of getting the crowd warmed up. They're just fun to watch. Tommy Shaw joined them on stage for Damn Yankees' "High Enough." Pretty cool.

REO came on next and played for about 70 minutes. They were really solid, as usual. They played Golden Country and Son Of A Poor Man, plus the usual greatest hits. They had the crowd going pretty good.

Styx was set to come on after a 15-20 minute break to change the stage, but they were delayed for about 15 minutes longer when they couldn't get Gowan's keyboard to work. They had to switch out cables and do some other work on the keyboard, but finally got it fixed. Well, then the house lights went down and we sat in the dark for 5 minutes until Styx came out - with no video board and no lights. They were just playing under the glow of these overhead lights on the lighting rig and spotlights. Apparently everything just quit working right before they came on. The lights and video board were back by about the third song. Tommy Shaw didn't sound all that good, and overall I thought Styx was average on this night.

Too bad you co-workers didn't take the tickets it was a fun night of music!

My daughter and I were in the cheap seats but still had a good time, the sound over all last night was not the greatest. It was the first time in about 20 years that I had seen Night Ranger and they were as good as I remembered. REO was REO - too much talk and down time between songs. When they did play, it was great but all the talking and breaks really slowed down their set. STYX was really good - not as good as when we saw them at the beginning of the tour in Montgomery AL. but still playing great with lots of energy. I think last night we saw a reaction to technical problems and just being tired from the road. I have friends that work for the arena and STYX's late arrival on stage was because they were in the back rehersal hall with Martina McBride and Brad Pasley and did not get the call that the problems with the keyboard had been fixed in time for them to make their entrance on time. We did get a Chuck appearance last night and to my suprise he played over half the set with the guys. I will say that I don't see how REO follow's STYX every other night, STYX's energy is over the top and REO's set just drags.

Thanks ! I wondered how the show was. Styx Still Rules!

[fsutall]

After talking with some co-workers that did go to the concert I kind of wish I'd gone, if only to see Night Ranger. (I should clarify that the suite holds 16 people so only a few tickets weren't claimed, not all of them.) The comments I heard were very similar to some of those posted already in this thread...small crowd for an arena show...NR was great...REO was OK but Kevin Cronin talked too much...Styx came out late but had more energy than REO. Sounds like an average show on this tour. Take out REO and substitute Nugent and Damn Yankees and I would've definitely been there!

[Everett]

Besides taking heat for all the chat between songs reo does put on a good show.

[LordofDaRing]

Oh yes. Sure. Uh huh. Absolutely. Yup.

Whooooaa! I like BIG things!
yip-yip-yip-yip-yip-yip BOW BOW
Hip-hop, hip-hopcracy - Hip-hop
Machine or mannequin with parts made in Japan
I flip the switch on my laser video
Oh, my BALLS!

"Obviously" someone on this board isn't a detective.

Always make sure when comparing superior intellectual song lyrics that the standard isn't being held by anyone who has written lyrics like this. Not saying he hasn't written some great, deep lyrics, but the fact that any of the above lyrics exist should be enough to make any fan with any common sense STFU. (and yes, I'm aware the last quote isn't lyrics - but was written by your superior, insightful, non-laid-getting lyricist, nontheless)


Come come now....we have plenty of material on the other end of that...

Helloooooooo Friendsssssss
stand tall don't think small don't get your back against the wall
I can't believe I am in a band with Ted Mother Fucking Nugent and Jack Mother Fucking Blades
Lyrics to Little Girl World (to early in the morning to post)

That being said, why would anyone pass on a free concert to go see the Tennessee Titans. Of course their 900 year old owner flipping Bills fans off is funny.

[chowhall]

Come come now....we have plenty of material on the other end of that...

Helloooooooo Friendsssssss
stand tall don't think small don't get your back against the wall
I can't believe I am in a band with Ted Mother Fucking Nugent and Jack Mother Fucking Blades
Lyrics to Little Girl World (to early in the morning to post)

That being said, why would anyone pass on a free concert to go see the Tennessee Titans. Of course their 900 year old owner flipping Bills fans off is funny.

The difference is that people who like this version of Styx don't have to hate the old version of Styx or DDY's solo work. We can actually like both. I haven't read any thing that Dennis has said if you like me and my work you're not allowed to like Tommy and JY now. I think he has said the exact opposite.

It's fine that people on this board want to relive the past. There are whole industries that thrive on this. But the facts are the current version of Styx are having fun and are profitable. Dennis is successful as a solo artist and a budding Broadway lyricist. Both camps have the opportunity to listen to their version of Styx. Why doesn't that make both camps happy?

[mr.v]

Besides taking heat for all the chat between songs reo does put on a good show.

Definately, When REO was playing they were really good and the crowd was into it. But it was kinda like watching a a game of whack-a-mole, the band would play and everyone would stand up then Kevin would start to talk or the lights would go down and everyone would sit down then the band would start another song and they crowd would stand back up. Kinda funny actually. It seems to me that when you are doing a short set you would try and get in as much music as possible. STYX had very little down time and because of the song count it seemed that they did a longer show.

[yogi]

This is why I heard that rock bands refuse to go to Tennessee.

What on earth is 'whack- a- mole'???


Rock on Billy Ray!!!!!