MERLE HAGGARD at TRI-LAKES CENTER on August 4, 2008

[Branson Friend]

Up Close Concerts is pleased to announce that Country Music Hall of Fame member, the legendary Merle Haggard, will be performing at The Tri-Lakes Center on Monday August 4, 2008. Showtime is 7:30pm.

Tickets go on sale Monday July 7 at 9am. However, we have a special pre-sale on our web site at www.upcloseconcerts.com. If you register for the pre-sale, you may order tickets starting this Tuesday July 1 at 9am through Thursday July 3 at 4pm.

We have ticket prices to fit any budget - $30, $35, $40, $45 and $50. Half of the 2,500 seats are in the $30-$35 range. Tickets for a Merle Haggard concert at venues around the country usually start around $50, so we are doing our best to give you an excellent value. The Tri-Lakes Center is a very nice theatre (formerly the Mel Tillis Theatre). We have pictures on the web site so you can see that every seat offers an outstanding view.

I have seen Merle in concert many times recently and he sounds fantastic. I know you will have a great time at the show. We hope to see you there.

[Mellie]

WOOHOO!
.....There's nobody like Merle.

[bransoncutie]

Way cool! I've always wanted to see Merle.

[shis1]

A trip to Branson would be justified JUST to see Merle. Great country artist!

[Branson Friend]

Thanks to everyone for the good comments. We hope to see you at the show. A reminder, the pre-sale starts tomorrow (7/1) at 9am. If you haven't registered, visit www.upcloseconcerts.com.

[Zach7777]

....Inside sources at TLC tell me the phones are ringing constantly for info on tickets for this show....if ya wanna go ya better git er done....... I can see this being a sell out show.....me being able to see into the future and all that, dontcha know.....

[sparkplug]

If this show is gonna sell out ,why aren't more big name acts brought in?
There must be an almost unlimited number of big names willing to come to a place as nice as the Tri Lakes Center.
We will always support the old standbys,in fact they are a big factor in our decision to return at every opportunity, but always enjoy a special show we dont see every trip.

[Zach7777]

Originally Posted by sparkplug

If this show is gonna sell out ,why aren't more big name acts brought in?
There must be an almost unlimited number of big names willing to come to a place as nice as the Tri Lakes Center.
We will always support the old standbys,in fact they are a big factor in our decision to return at every opportunity, but always enjoy a special show we dont see every trip.

..i don't know....i'm just repeating gossip.......honestly, i don't even have a clue who Merle Haggard is....yeah, i've heard country music....from a few years back but fer petes sake...i don't remember what he sang....evidently everybody likes him, he's sure stirring up some interest.....

[Branson Friend]

Originally Posted by sparkplug

If this show is gonna sell out ,why aren't more big name acts brought in?
There must be an almost unlimited number of big names willing to come to a place as nice as the Tri Lakes Center.
We will always support the old standbys,in fact they are a big factor in our decision to return at every opportunity, but always enjoy a special show we dont see every trip.

Sparkplug you ask an excellent question. This is my second year of promoting concerts in Branson. I spent eight years visiting the area many times each year before even thinking about entering the oversaturated marketplace. Big names are more than happy to come to Branson, but it is very difficult to make any money at the prices they charge. A promoter at a casino doesn't care if they make money on concert. All they want is bodies to show up so they will gamble. Many casinos even hand out $5 or $10 coupons for use on gambling to every ticket holder to get them started. The other issue is alcohol sales. A sold out 2500 seat venue can easily generate an additional $20,000 in revenue which we don't have available in Branson. And by the way, I prefer not to sell alcohol at my events anyway.

A couple weeks ago I had a verbal agreement from an artist's agent to bring him to Tri-Lakes Center. The next day the agent called to cancel because he got a bigger offer from a casino that I couldn't match. As I said, the casino doesn't need to make money on the concert.

I have tried to keep ticket prices for Merle Haggard as low as possible and still cover my costs. A few years ago Merle was at the Grand Palace and I believe the cheapest ticket was $45 or $50. In most of the country that is a very good price to see someone of Merle Haggard's stature, but Branson audiences are inundated with cheap ticket offers, massive coupons etc., and are reluctant to pay that for even a big name. I need to have a big crowd because I am keeping prices as low as possible - half of my total tickets are in the $30-$35 range.

I am also presenting some great classic country artists at God & Country Theatre this year - Janie Fricke, T.Graham Brown and Gene Watson. The 400 seat theatre is a great place to see these well known performers.

Please tell your friends about Merle and these other shows so that we may bring more big name acts to Branson. I promise I work every day with artists and their agents trying to book special shows. It took almost two years of calls, letters, and scheduling to make it possible to bring Merle to town. His management team is fantastic. They want to play for audiences that want to hear them, and I hope we greet Merle with a big turnout. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement. And Zach 7777, come to the show - you'll have a great time!

[Wayno]

Branson Friend, when will Janie Fricke be at the God and Country Theater? We saw her years ago when she was at the then Charlie Pride Theater and enjoyed her performance very much. Would also like to know the dates of T. Graham Brown and Gene Watson. Thanks in advance.

[Branson Friend]

Janie Fricke is Sunday August 31 at 4PM, T.Graham Brown is Sunday October 5 at 4PM, and Gene Watson is Sunday November 23 at 4PM. If you purchase tickets for all three shows, you save $10.00 on each show. We have full information on our web site: www.upcloseconcerts.com

After each show the artists will be available for autographs and photos.

[Zach7777]

Originally Posted by Branson Friend

Janie Fricke is Sunday August 31 at 4PM, T.Graham Brown is Sunday October 5 at 4PM, and Gene Watson is Sunday November 23 at 4PM. If you purchase tickets for all three shows, you save $10.00 on each show. We have full information on our web site: www.upcloseconcerts.com

After each show the artists will be available for autographs and photos.

These are all great prices and deals..for top entertainment that we need to see in Branson in addition to all that is currently here....what great options for entertainment....Thank You Branson Friend for working to bring these artists to Branson. And an additional comment about Tri Lakes Center, Mel Tillis former theatre....the auditorium is very well laid out...there really isn't a bad seat in the house! And....while attending a concert there be sure and check out the Coffee House and Concessions......

[Wayno]

Thank you Branson Friend for the information. I'm really sorry that their appearances do not coincide with our fall trip but it is nice to know that these artists are coming to Branson to perform and I'm sure they will be well received.. We were lucky that Roy Clark will be in town when we are visiting....it will be our fourth time seeing him.

[kfamjam]

the best song i have ever heard .

[cjnhrt]

I told a friend from Louisiana about the concert. He wanted front row tickets. He called at 9am yesterday and said he stayed on hold for an extremely long time. When he finally got through he got 3rd row center seats. He was disappointed they weren't 3rd row, but was excited he got what he did! We will get tickets, but will have to get what's left over because we have to wait for payday! Thanks for this show!!