My plan for the next solo tour-- ideas?

[daniellaaarisen]

In the past few years, my dream of following Stevie on tour has slowly grown accessible; recently, I've started to believe that this dream is actually possible. I've toyed with the idea since middle school, but obviously I couldn't do anything about it then.

After seeing Stevie on Wednesday, I realized that I've been making excuses against doing something that drastic for a long time now-- financial barriers, school commitments, etc. However, she is 62 now and I know that if I don't jump on this opportunity soon, I may never have another chance. I keep telling myself that the present is "the wrong time" and yet I don't think there really is a "right time" to ditch your life and bop around the country with a rock star. However, I feel a strong sense of conviction with this-- I know that I need to do it, and I know that I need to do it soon.

I am planning on attending as many dates as possible on Stevie's next solo tour. I have contacted my college and discussed my options; it should be fairly easy to skip a quarter considering my academic standing at Seattle U. I still have a long way to go financially, because obviously show tickets are only a small fraction of the total costs I'm looking at. I think I'll have somewhere to stay in a handful of cities between loving Ledgies and family friends, so I shouldn't be paying too much for lodging. It's just a matter of how I get from show to show.

That's not the important thing for the time being-- assuming Stevie's album comes out in late 2010 or early 2011, I still have months to save and plan. However, I have some questions for you guys:

1) When do you think Stevie's album will come out and according to that release, when should we expect her to start her tour?
2) Has anyone ever done this before (DavidMn, I'm talking to you)? What did you think of the experience in general?
3) What advice would you guys give me on how to go forward with this?

I'm going to sit down and talk to my parents about this within the next few days. I know I'm going to do it-- I feel drawn towards this in a way I can't explain. It would not only be a huge, adrenaline-filled adventure, but I'd also get the chance to meet many of you while also enjoying Stevie to the absolute fullest!

[DavidMn]

Well, back when I had a reliable car it was much easier. Last year for Fleetwood Mac I was forced into taking the greyhound bus to almost all of the shows I went to. This did have its benefits believe it or not. For example, I was able to overnight on the bus from city to city at times saving the cost of a motel room. I certainly wouldnt reccomend this to everyone, as I distinctly remember puking in a toilet at the Port Authority Bus terminal in Manhattan, but it is something to consider if cost is an issue. People have asked me what my favorite road trip I've been on over the years has been and it would probably be the one I went on in the summer of 2005 for Stevie which included the following shows:

7-4, Milwaukee
7-6, Minneapolis
7-13, Tampa
7-14, Fort Lauderdale
7-16, Houston
7-17, Dallas
7-20, Denver(Red Rocks)
7-23, San Diego
7-24, Anaheim
7-26, Los Angeles


I put about 10,500 miles on my car in those 2 weeks between Tampa and L.A and I loved every second of it! Dani, the only thing I can say is I wouldnt trade my experiences for every penny on this earth. ALl the memories I have from touring over the last 15 years will be with me until I die. Go for it!



BTW Dani, thank you for mentioning me, I'm honored!

[TrueFaith77]

My only advice is that you keep a journal!



ETA: As for scheduling. As strange as this might sound, you might want to tell Dave Stewart your dilemma! Based on Stevie's interviews in which her manager says all she needs to do is tour one month this summer and it's like she toured the whole year, my guess is that the new album and the tour promoting it will NOT be in 2010. Your fall semester will be safe. Maybe you'll get to do it during the Summer.

[petep9000]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

I distinctly remember puking in a toilet at the Port Authority Bus terminal in Manhattan

Wow, and what a place to puke too. Were you bus-sick? Ew, that place is just wretched, I use to live a few blocks away and I hated walking past it.

[Tango]

I don't know your overall situation and health, but if you are strong and want a really new and wild challenge, consider being a roadie for the tour.

[ButterCookie]

I have a friend who does this for every Blondie tour. She flies from Germany to whichever country Blondie are in and takes the train around (or flights if it's the US) and I know for a fact it's something she has never tired of. She is always front centre and Debbie recognises her. The sound guys and the drum tech know her by name too After each one she gets really emotional because of what a good time she's had. I'd say go for it. It's something I'd do so much to be able to do.

[louielouie2000]

I'm still guessing Stevie's album won't be released until the Spring of next year, even though she says she has 14 tracks and the album is mostly done. Stevie pretty much exclusively tours solo in the summer these days, too. So I think you have some time to set the wheels in motion if this is something you really want to do.

You also know you're more than welcome to stay with me when Stevie comes to TX, though she never comes to Austin. Dallas and Houston are about 3 hours away though, and I'm sure you know folks in those cities as well.

[HowStillMyLove]

I wish I could do what you wanna do But there's not way that my parents would let me do that! Your so lucky! But I do catch Stevie, and fleetwood mac on every tour, and sometimes twice. I think i rmemeber Dave Stewart saying soomthing about it coming out around xmass. But i could be wrong. Either way, not to much longer!!!!

[LittleCharmer]

It would be an amazing thing to do, I'm sure, and if you have the means and drive then there's no reason why you shouldn't do it, if you consider it achievable
You'll always regret the things you didn't do in life, rather the things you did.
Go for it!

[RockALittle250]

If the tour was set-in-stone for the Summer of 2011, I'd say go for it, because it would be the best summer of your life!

If the tour is set to take off either in the fall, winter or early spring, during school, I would recommend against it. As much as I would love to do that, it is not a wise thing to do to miss out on school to follow Stevie on tour, no matter how well you are doing scholastically. Even if you have a 4.0, missing almost half a semester to follow Stevie on tour is not a smart move. People miss that much school for health reasons and extenuating circumstances, and I think to drop everything, including your life in general, to follow Stevie on tour during a vital time in your life is ill-advised. But that's just my two cents on it.

[tothegypsy]

I love Stevie, but I can't imagine following a tour that has the same setlist from night to night. When Tori Amos comes around, I tend to go to as many east coast shows as possible, since she plays different songs every night.

But the same setlist over and over and over again? Like I said, I'm a big fan of Stevie, but I don't think that would be all that exciting.

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by tothegypsy

I love Stevie, but I can't imagine following a tour that has the same setlist from night to night. When Tori Amos comes around, I tend to go to as many east coast shows as possible, since she plays different songs every night.

But the same setlist over and over and over again? Like I said, I'm a big fan of Stevie, but I don't think that would be all that exciting.

Agreed, it'd bore me to tears to hear the exact same stuff night in and night out. Hell, I haven't seen Stevie in 5 years now because she STILL essentially performs the same stuff, and I'm bored from THAT!

And like RockALittle250 said, it's a huge risk to start out your first year of college on this note. The majority of those who drop out do so during/following their freshman year. It's a far, far easier thing to do than you can imagine, too. As driven and scholastically focused as I was, I let my grades slip, and nearly got the boot myself. Your years in college will be the best years of your life, I can guarantee it. Much like myself, I know you like to just absorb information and learning like a sponge. I say if you aren't taking summer classes and Stevie is touring then, go follow her around some. But to miss out on your freshmen year of college, that's something I can't discourage strongly enough. Stevie will keep touring for a while, mark my word.

[GypsyNikita]

I say Go For It Girl!!!!

I'm from Ireland and me and my brother are travelling half way across the world to see Stevie in Atlantic City on 27th August

We've been saving for months!

This is my once in a life time trip and it is soooo worth it !!! I know if we didn't go now I'd regret it forever! I may never get the chance to see Stevie again!

It's all an adventure so Enjoy!!!

[GarboSpeaks!]

Your best bet is already in your favor if you are still in California. Its easy in that respect to go to multiple shows, then carefully choose what other areas to go to. Venues and additional site-seeing kind of places.
I was fortunate to see her so many times because I'd go to just about every Southern Cali show, then back hom in Northern Cali, then Vegas (that's still close) or Reno...anything Nevada, and I can bet you she'll go back to one of those 2. Prolly not Tahoe again. If she does RR...that's a MUST....and right there I bet you can see 4-7 shows, and you really haven't strayed far.
Cost and "life" well, do it if you can. Like so many others, I couldn't go when Iwas younger. Forever I'll have the advertisement for the Wild Heart tour, and remember begging my parents on a daily basis to let me go. I was 12 or something. (please don't do the math ) I did as much as I could/can now simply because like you I thought I'm only going to be able to do this as long as Stevie and/or the Mac decide to do this.
I'm despaired by ticket prices over the years, but like David.....I wouldn't trade my experiences for every ticket cost refund EVER! I've seen Stevie w/ and w/out the Mac just over the 100 mark, and not seeing her these last 2 shows was hard to deal with these last few days. You can best bet you'll have me to contend with (seating wise) when she comes back around. lol. I kid, but seeing her live is just something that I seriously live for. Not the only thing by a long shot, but something very special, and something a very big part of me. I say again...DO IT!

[IKV Nexis]

Hmmmm.. Riannonites? Masses of Stevie fans wandering the country from concert to concert. Hanging out in the parking lots twirling in shawls and getting toasted.