I appreciate knowing that you are on top of all this "stuff".  It seems like every time there's some kind of a software "update" my phone/computer changes settings and things look different.  And we all know there are lots of scammers out there trying to steal our information.

"Stealing" info story.  Over the years, my wife and I purchased some amount of Savings Bonds thru a payroll deduction plan.  Several years ago, we converted the bonds to an electronic format.  That way we could cash them without going to the bank.  Great.  There's a US Government site called TreasuryDirect.GOV that does this.  Earlier this year, the Treasury decided to use a PRIVATE COMPANY to handle the log ins.  Not only was it a giant PITA, you have to provide this PRIVATE COMPANY with copies of your drivers license, passport, birth certificate, SS card, etc.  Then at some point you have to send a "live" photo of you holding up your IDs so they can use facial recognition to make sure you are you.  Since I'm somewhat old, I don't like using my phone for everything.  I'm comfortable with a desktop. 

Anyway, first try didn't work.  Issue with facial recognition.  So, help button.  Resend everything.  Do 2 factor verification for each document.  Then, go into a waiting room to have a video conference with a LIVE PERSON.  Only a 22 minute wait, which turned out to be 35.

My point is the US government apparently doesn't trust their own website verification system.  They hire a private company that I have to give "important" documents to.  Oh yeah, even a SS card which specifically says 'Not to be used for identification"

I don't believe that the price is totally out of line.  Yes, it's expensive, everything today is!  Thinking back, I probably averaged $1000 a show (and I'm talking out of town shows).  Figure at least $100 for a ticket,say 2 nights in a hotel, plus travel (especially if you fly and rent a car). 

My wife has always wanted to go to Ireland, so she's on board with this.  Our only holdback right now is we have a 16 year old cat who lost his "brother" about a year ago.  He's lonely.  We are really concerned about leaving him "home".  Not sure yet what to do.

Quasi related to this -- I saw Million Dollar Quartet several years ago as an off-Broadway show.  Really liked it.  The ending is when the 4 members gather around the piano and someone takes a photo.  You see a flash of light, then the actual photograph is projected on the rear of the stage.  That's the end.

Later that year, my daughter and I went to see CW in Memphis.  Of course, we had to go to Graceland.  The actual photograph is on display there. 

I did the Atlanta PBS M&G with my daughter a couple years ago.  They had a pre-show reception for PBS members.  Food and drinks. Not bad. I think I remember someone saying there were about 100 people there.  The M&G only had about 20ish.  Stayed at a hotel within walking distance.  Unfortunately, typical rushed photo op, but I at least got the girls to sign!  I think it was $300 per person, but had decent seats.

If you do the math, the M&G package is $264 per person.  Seems a bit higher than I remember paying previously for M&G's.   

Ronan was part of the choir/dancers for a couple of the CW tours.

Keeping in mind I'm old (69), I would guess we won't see a DVD again.  It seems as if everything is going to streaming.  One reason I'm keeping my older vehicle is it has (GASP!) a CD player and I have lots of CD's.  Similar thing with DVDs.  I really don't want to watch a concert on my phone!

As far as touring, I also believe a lot of it is based on cost.  If you aren't selling out, or at least close to it, you end up in the hole financially. And, with the way the economy is today, a $100 concert ticket is a big expense for some people.  I hate to think about how much I spent over the years going to CW concerts.  Plane flights, rental car, hotels, etc probably averaged $1,000 a show.  Could I do it today?  Yeah, I'm lucky I can.  The bigger question is do I want to?

The other issue is the make up of the group.  I can completely understand that a member can get tired of being on the road for months at a time.  Having to perform every night must be exhausting.  So at what point does the group become a CW Tribute Group?  And part of this has to do with the TV issue.  That's how I first encounted CW.  I was flipping thru TV channels one night and ran accross them on PBS.  Liked the music.  Saw they were coming to my town, so bought tickets.  I was hooked.  Not sure that could happen today.

Especially in the "early" days of CW, if you did the M&G after the show, you actually got a minute or two to talk to the girls.  Over the years, most of them recognized me.  I think it was 3 years ago, I went to a Lisa Kelly Masterclass.   She remembered me and some of the conversations we had.  Same thing with Chloe.  After she left CW, she did some individual shows.  I went to a couple.  At one of them, I asked her to sign a college graduation card for my daughter, who had been to a number of shows with me.  She wrote a very touching note and gave me a T-shirt to give to my daughter.  You don't get that kind of an opportunity any more. 

So what do I want?  I agree there's been too many line up changes, but I also understand why.  Some of that may be that the artists need income, so, if CW isn't touring/recording, what do they do?  Same thing with the smaller band, backup singers, etc.  It's a different show.  Maybe a smaller venue? 

It's a tough situation.  All "we" can do is support them.

Quote: "Makes you wonder if they ever once tested a full fall tour on Symphony how much sold out they'd be."

For various reasons, I only went to 1 show this Spring.  In past years, I've done as many as 10.  The one I went to was in a 2,500 seat venue.  It wasn't full.  Compare to the last time I was at Red Rocks where there were about 9,000 people.  It's not just CW.  I went to a CT show this year; same thing.  Not a full house.  So, what's going to happen with the Christmas tour attendance? 

It seems like a lot of shows are not sold out.  I go to various Broadway type shows in my area (there are 3 decent venues within 45 minutes).  None of the ones recently have been sold out.  Is it the economy?  Maybe.  Is it the show/music?  Maybe.    Putting on a show, especially one that does one night stands, has to be expensive.  When does it mot make sense economically?