Grateful Dead

From DEAD50.NET: "All mail order purchasers will receive commemorative Fare Thee Well tickets, designed with art selected by Grateful Dead Ticketing from the mail order envelopes submitted by fans." So... Tickets are not even printed yet at this point, I bet. I do not see anyone getting tix much before 2/28. You will know well before 2/28 that you are in or still out in the cold rain and snow. If you did not get the 1/20/15 post mark, I'd say your chances are slim to get mail order. They divided the MO by show, then postmark. Then sorted them with 1/20 on top and then 1/21, 1/22, etc. Then by ticket level. That's when they realized they messed up with the GA and Reserved seats on the floor. That's why the higher reserves are more likely to have been pink slipped. They knew they had to increase the GA. Live and learn. Then it became a random lottery as to who receives tix for each show. They filled the orders until they were out of tix. Can't see them having gotten past the 1/20 postmark. Truth be told, I think it is more likely that if you ordered three shows you have a better chance of getting at least one show than someone who ordered just one show. There may even be the lucky few that are selected for all three shows, although that would be statistically more difficult in my model.

So who do you think would be good candidates to show up as guests during the 4th of July show? edit: And according to this site's show history, the first GD 4th of July show was in 1969 right there in good ol' Chicago.

nice knowledge mortatone. u schooled me. i think everyone should b there. eveyone who's been there b 4. that would b nice.

Tune into the positive energy ......all year long .................wherever

some come to make it just one more daywhichever way your pleasure tends if you order tickets you might get screwed.

they don't need to have no stinking guests! but carlos, los lobos, neville brothers, and a whole slew of others might join them on stage. Can you imagine the energy during the last show? Not a dry eye to be found.

People, what they did was seperate all the decorated envelopes from the undecorated. Then they eliminated the decorated envelopes that were not postmarked the 20th. Then, they got rid of the decorated envelopes where people did not follow instructions. From the remaining decorated envelopes, the separated them so that all areas or regions of the country are represented. From there...it is a crap shoot.

Word!

So, all decorated correct envelopes will get processed before plain? I have heard of correctly decorated postmarked rejection letters. I find it hard to believe to if you did not decorate you stand no chance.

So, all decorated correct envelopes will get processed before plain? I have heard of correctly decorated postmarked rejection letters. I find it hard to believe to if you did not decorate you stand no chance.

No one really knows their system. I too find it hard to believe that all non-decorated envelopes will get discarded. Everything is speculation at this point. I'm waiting on an answer to my mail order request too and there is no official information out yet. I have checked the money order serial numbers to see if they have been cashed yet and unfortunately they have not. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck to everyone else waiting!

marye does so much for all of us! Let's give her a big virtual group hug! She posts the info we need! She answers all questions large and small! She has a gentle soul that keeps us all sane when it gets crazy! She restarts the chat!

It's one of the best things in life, to look forward to something. Enjoy it :) /philosophical poop

This makes sense.

Yes, I can't imagine how else they would do it. However, like the reply below, I am only speculating. Good luck all!

Anyone in North Carolina recieved a rejection notice? Just wondering if mail has had time to travel cross country.

this feeling of anticipation that we all have is so overwhelming. I cannot wait to find out whether or not I have tickets through mail order.I ordered for all three nights 215.50 2 tix each in a highly decorated envelope if that means anything,I'm not sure? Did anyones money orders get cashed?

Set 1: Touch of Jerry, Bucket > Candyman (work in progress)

you ain't got half of what you thought you had gonna get tix I don't know

Not to make anything negative but I keep reading posts on various forums from those who keep trashing these shows due to... - Cost of Tickets - Location - Not enough shows - Band making too much money, (not in the spirt of GD) - Leaving too many "true" deadheads out - Unorganized ticketing process Lets run it down in order. First, cost of the tickets... I keep reading complaints that the cost of these shows exclude the poor from attending. "Only the rich and trustafarians can afford to go!" I tell ya, I'm not rich by any means but I started saving up a GD concert fund last year the moment I heard some rumors that they might tour in 2015. I ate out less, stayed in most weekends and cut back on my normal spending. Hey, I was not going to miss out on shows due to a lack of funds. Just like with anything in life, you have to prioritize. Many folks save up all year long to go on vacations... No different here. I just saved up for what I thought would be a couple of road trips but it turns out there is only Chicago. Speaking of Chicago... What is the problem here? If the band only wants to play one location then Chicago is a good of choice as any. It would have been awesome in SF, NY or Red Rocks but I understand why they wanted a centralized spot. Plus, I don't fully believe that these will be the very last shows. Chicago has the stadium, history and ability to handle such a crowd over a holiday weekend. Not enough shows... Well, I would have loved to see a full summer tour but hey, it isn't going to happen! I don't get why some folks are upset about this. They don't owe anything to anyone. They are coming together for a weekend and who knows, maybe some other shows will pop up. Glass half full perspective is that THEY'RE PLAYING AGIAN! Be it 3 shows or 10 shows... One annoying complaint is that the band is making so much money off this. Yes, they are! They deserve every penny they can get. They created it and carried it for 50 years. In fact, they probably deserve even more money than they're getting. This isn't 1967 and free concerts of this proportion are not free, nor should they be. It is entertainment... The Grateful Dead have given us all of their shows for free, via tapes. They don't owe anyone a free live performance. Its the same argument for folks who complain about athletes earning too much money. Well, if the athlete isn't getting paid, who is? The damn owner of the team. One could argue that the real problem are the fans who pay the money... Well, I won't get into that debate because its fantasy land. Point is, folks will pay to see their favorite team or their favorite band. If ANYONE is getting paid, it should be the band! For those who are feeling left out due to this process, I feel you man! I can see how having multiple shows will help more folks see the band but... that doesn't seem to be happening. When I first heard about these shows, I made a decision that I was going to try my very best. Followed MO instructions exactly, used saved cash from my vacation/money savings fund, requested two $215 tixs for all 3 shows and now I'm waiting to see if my true love tickets will fly back to me. There is nothing more we can do. Complaining about it is pointless, knowing that if I get the pink slip, I'm still going to find a way in, (minus going through scalpers.) Trust that it will work out and if it doesn't, then oh well. We've all dealt with disappointment before and we will survive with our without tickets. Yes, this ticket process is pretty interesting. I completely understand why they went the mail order route but I suspect that the huge number of requests even surprised GTST TOO. A bit more clarity about their process would be nice and updates are encouraged BUT I also appreciate the mystery and excitement this has caused. Not sure if it was done on purpose but it seems to be the result. We live in a new time and folks want access to information now, myself included. I must say, in a funny way, this process has been refreshing and although I was pretty darn excited, the waiting has really peaked my enthusiasm. In addition, it has brought a bunch of deadheads out of the woodworks and into the online "community." It is absolutely inefficient and its a huge bummer that many folks will not win the lottery but one thing I know about deadheads, we will all find a way in, one way or another! Peace and love to all. Lets see how this all plays out and I hope to be one of the lucky ones but if not... I've had fun with the process.

Do we all remember the Heinz 57 commercial..Anticipation....today one step closer to knowing our fate.

Well said, how im justifying cost is its a vacation/bday/christmas all wrapped up into a July 4th weekend with dead.I was at these shows in 95, all the shows in the 90's in chicago area, along with others.. I bought a fake ticket first night, and day 2 an 3 had so much fun in parking lot, i really didnt even care. I thought hey just another show there will be more. A few days later the music stopped when Jerry diesd Im happy as hell they are playing in chi. Makes sense last place 20yrs ago. Oh and i live 3 hrs away, lol... That why it really makes sense.. I've really enjoy reconnecting to deadheads and listening to all the opinions so funny. Boy us deadhead sure "beat a horse to death" on this one.. Everyone ideas of course are based with the idea there way will have gotten tickets. Until the GDS Too tell us we will never know how they did selection process. Makes sense they would look at decorated envelopes, oh wait a minute that what I did.. Lol! Will i get my money back and be broken hearted today? If so i will regroup and have two more shots at tix. Be there rain or shine.. Nothing left to do but smile smile smile.. Not whine whine whine! Peace!!

Feelmorewest, I agree 100% with your post. I feel exactly the same way about the complaints lodged so far. I would like a bit of information from GDTS to quash some rumors, but you are right-- the mystery builds up the excitement! And like highstandard, Chicago is the perfect venue for me. Less than 2 hours away and a kind brother-in-law who digs the Dead lives in the city-- could not be any better.

Agree, agree, agree, feelmwest, completely. and what you others say...we are lucky campers to have this opportunity in front of us. I am one of those who came out of the woodwork and joined this online community recently, but saw the Boys live, for free, in '72, and have been hanging around ever since. I'm looking forward to the shows, but waahhh got my Mail Order returned the other day. Although VIP & Travel packages are steep, I don't have a real problem with it. Any top name rock group can command these prices, and $100 for the pit-mail order-is a bargain. So is $500 per day VIP. That VIP doesn't mean anything more than Very Inflated Prices. So be it. Some of these guys are way past retirement age...Mr Lesh is 74, but drums like a a guy half that age. The grind of a summer tour to please us just might not be wise. One weekend? I'm Jake with that. Thanks, Bobby, Phil, Billy and Mickey and your friends. Yes, the spirit of the Dead in the 60's and 70's was pretty footloose and fancy free, in the 80's and 90's it was big big business, hopping around the country playing leapfrog with two massive stages. In 1993 they were the highest grossing band in the entire country. That's a lot of money, folks. Here we are fast forward 20 years later...and it's costing the mortgage to see the shows. In the 70's, you could buy a whole car for $2000 brand new, and a nice house for $25,000. Now, $2000 will get you a good set of truck tires, a new car costs as much as a house way back then, and a new house??? I'm not going to relive And I agree that some can't get inside because of the price. And I feel that pain...I was one sad puppy-dog when I got my letter. You gotta bounce back, though, and decide the priorities. We got our Miracle! the Boys are willing to celebrate the past 50 years and get together onstage and play...the rest is up to us. So hit the bank, hit the credit cards, mow those lawns. Borrow from Peter, Paul and Mary, and get your tail to Chicago with rings, bells, the old tie-dye, and above all let the river sing sweet songs to rock your soul....peace....G

My nephew in Chapel Hill got his money orders back.

but it's like waiting to open presents on Christmas morning when you are 7!!!! Seems like nobody has gotten news of tickets awarded yet. So as long as the SASE doesn't appear in the mail box, I guess we're still in the running. If I get that SASE in my mailbox, I might pull a Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation when the lights don't come on. Hysterical. Start kicking reindeer and cussing every word in the book...

was it today? did he decorate?

Thanks for the reply. At least I know they have had time to make it here

Does anyone have a sense of when the last of the unfulfilled MO's were/are to be mailed? Thanks!!

There seems to be a lot of chatter that the seating chart has changed and that they've expanded the GA area. Besides deleted seating charts, does anyone have a link to actual info about a new seating chart or a link to an image of a new seating chart? Otherwise, it's just a rumor, and false rumors usually outnumber rumors that turn out to be true. There also seems to be a lot of talk about ticket price changes and ticketBastard not having all the prices, etc. Does anyone have word that this is actually the case? Otherwise, it could just be that they haven't updated the website information for any number of reasons... especially if the seating chart did change. Also, I see people posted that if you didn't decorate your envelope you won't get tickets. I find this hard to believe. Not everybody is an artist or can draw fairly well, and not everybody has time to decorate an envelope. It would seem pretty unfair to not just state all mail orders must be decorated. I can't draw for shit. I didn't decorate an envelope for last years Bobby SLC show and I got tickets. I also never decorated for mail order in the 90's and I usually got tickets. I see someone as far east as North Carolina was already rejected for the high dollar tickets. I live in Idaho and went for 2 of the high dollar tickets each night dated on the 20th. No rejection yet. I'm not assuming anything, but it gives me hope. Condolences to those who have already been rejected, but keep the faith. Where there is a will, there is always a way. Good luck to everyone.

I think at this point, i dont know what needs to be said... But like they said on tv just the facts.. Best info today.. This means next couple days , maybe even today i will know next faze.. I will post one way or another.Has me feeling a little bit better, but i get home and i have the pink slip.. Kind of like one i got from fam business after father died.. But long nast story of money and greed.. Lets keep happy happy happy!!

I, and you all, have no knowledge how orders are being handled. A while back, though, someone posted that decorated envelopes were sorted for priority. Past history says not true. I went to concerts for years with a large number of people, we all used mail order to get tickets, and we never decorated (no artistic talent). We almost always got enough tickets, several times got front row center, and many times got great seats. So, I expect this time there is no need to despair if you did not decorate your envelope. As to the odds, well, you just have to see. And deal with it either way. Just like everything else in life.

Be hopeful, good things will happen.-but I'm still scared to open my mailbox!

No tickets for me.. Feel like the song Loser.. Anyway bright side, i got bill money for the month. I sent in for any ticket and naturally wanted 12 tickets. I had thee mo per ticket and said i wanted any. Spent an hour or so decorating wnevelope.. I really suck at art, may have been reason lol..???Dead Reckoning! Look forward to seeing fellow heads post they got Tickets.. Now i have shot at travel package and ticketron, dont count me out yet! I just have a sneaky suspicion on this now, i wonder if they had a mailing list of heads that have done mail order all these years. I never did mail order cause j could always score a ticket..i started going when i was 14?? I guess im just not heady enough..Just dissapointed not even one miracle??? I have to say for me sending all that money and they couldnt even issue one ticket or a pair to just one show, just so weak its sketchy!! Next up the 27th!! Cant keep a good head down!!

I know I'm in the small minority - but I would give a nut to see Donna come out and wail on Playing in the Band just once more before I go.

For anyone who ends up needing to go this route. Tips to help you get in/out faster. http://www.ticketmaster.com/insidertips

Pink slip received today on left coast. Requested 4 tickets any show at the $215 level (the latter probably my downfall). Definitely postmarked the 20th with decorated envelope.

Sorry to hear that Ummagumma, I requested $215 too but no rejection letter yet (knock on wood). Were you all or nothing on the $215 or did you include multiple mo's for lower options?Good luck either way.

Yes I was all in at $215. Should have done multiples in retrospect. Now on to the next effort. Ever forward! "Cant talk to you without talkin' to me."

I had all bases covered , i thought that might be saving grace, but very dismayed when i received money orders back, bright side im not broke now, lol!!!

You know i cant help it i was born in 72' , 1980 i was only 8 yrs old. My parents were not hippies. All i can say is 14 was pretty damn young to travel 8hrs to alpine valley in 1986. I tried to do best to see the dead whenever they were close rack up over 100 shows. Not bad.. Still salty for not getting one ticket when i sent 2500+ across country, and was ready to sit anywhere. I think and will we probably never know rhyme or reason how how they chose. I think if someone did mail order tickets and was on mail order list since 70's definitely trumps me. I think kids that grew up on tour and the tour head and all the families that would follow and basically live their life around the dead, definitely trump me. I hope a leas these were the people that are getting mail order. Is it fair that i never did mail order that maybe my name was new and was not ever recognized by ever receiving mail order tickets? Maybe i bought to scammaster and scalpers.. I paid my dues too.. Anyway, the minute i heard i joined dead.net community, and been posting since i joined. Where all the deadheads?? I mean there like 15-20posts a day??? Does that make me more of a deadhead today?? Mind just blown not even one ticket? Ship of fools.. Come and sail away with me!!

... then that would be a shame. I have creativity too but it's not spent in decorating envelopes.

1)Check email, 2)Check junk email(just in case), 3)Check to see if money orders were cashed, 4)Check to see if $9 money order was cashed to send rejection, 5)scroll message boards to see if anybody got tix or any new info, 6)Check snail mail Repeat steps 1-5 multiple times daily Pray, anticipate, worry, pray, hope Drove by Soldier Field today in the cold snow (no rain), and got the chills Would be a highlight of life to get in there for this Remember dancing in the aisles of the local movie theater a couple years ago, so much their music does for the soul So grateful to have been touched by it All the hullabaloo online reminds me of the parking lot, just try to steer clear of the negative and smile, smile, smile

Someone had to post it... http://days.to/3-july/2015 The good news, almost at 147 days :)

There is a lot of Hate going on over there, definitely a younger crowd for the most part, and that's OK. Except for the personal threats. However, since rejection letters are being received or people just could not afford the cost. There are many people who plan on going anyway with intentions of crashing the gates. That's just not cool. I was simply stating my concerns, I feel (and this is only my opinion) that there may be a clash of generations. I came to this conclusion by reading all the posts. I expressed my concerns and this got me thrown off the site. Many violent posts, arguing and disrespect for one another. I'm not a Hater, I'm not a basher, and I'm definitely am not a GATE CRASHER! Thanks for allowing me to vent! If you disagree with me, that's OK, just don't threaten me. Good luck with your tickets.....

Anybody on the East Coast score tickets or received the reject letter? Waiting and chilling. Astoria, NY

OhSoGratefulSteve...I hear you on the gate crashers....I am a younger head...started my journey in 1989 at the ripe age of 14 and was instantly in love with the music and all good things that the Grateful Dead had to offer...Logged many miles and shows over the last six years...Got gassed in the parking lot in Orlando 94 due to a bunch of knuckleheads rushing the gates and was heading in late at Deer Creek 95 while the knuckleheads did it again...Gate Crashers Suck and I do hope that Soldier is free of the nonsense...The last thing any of us need is that...These shows are about celebrating the 50 Year Legacy of True American Beauty.....And gate Crashing definitely does not fall into that category....As is everyone else, We too are afraid to open our mailbox...But in the end our anticipation is like a child on his first Christmas, Welcomed with all enthusiasm....Stay Positive Family..."One way or another,This Darkness got to give" Love, Light and God Speed to All....and We'll see you in Chicago....

Hey Wake n Bake's, I live in South N.J.(Phillies/Eagles) and as of Wed afternoon I have No-News from GDTS. I am quietly, dancin' inside. I have attended GD, ,JGB, Rock - Stadium, ,Jazz-Funk n Blues concerts galore since '78. For Grateful Dead Shows and being our crew's taper I usually had my 2 tapers section tickets mail-ordered day one, nothing fancy, just consistence name recognition in their 3x5 card file. That file is the key that got the same heads in the same up-front sections every tour (providing you never missed a ticket mail order). I remember I did this mail-order exercise for a few Ca. shows that I could not attend but got the tickets for the west coast version of me. Well maybe that same file has been updated with info like who buys multiple orders from GDTS or Numbered Limited GD Mdse. and resells for huge profits. Decorated is fine but I never did it except for the Spectrum Sept.1995. That ticket order was returned. My 50th order was done for one show, 2 tickets, PiT, July 5th or "Any" (not anything). As of Wed. Feb.4 I have-not received and correspondence.

Even a younger deadhead here... Father was gone most of my childhood following the boys. Wasn't until I had to do some project in English class where I had to write and read a poem with matching music in the background. Wrote a poem about looking out a window... Dad had a huge collection of tapes and he made it clear us kids were not to tough them. Grabbed few and pulled out my brand new Walkman. Tape was halfway through a set so the first GD song I ever heard was Box of Rain, think from that Phili show in 93. It struck me.... It really connected me to my father and even though we weren't close, I'd do anything for the man. Funny, I learned of the song's meaning a few years later. From that moment forward, the music just connected like nothing else. Father promised to take me to my first show when I hit 16... Jerry passed a couple of months after my 15th birthday. Never had a chance to see the shows. Of course I've seen Phish, Further, The Other Ones and a bunch of other random "semi-dead" shows but you know the best show I've ever seen? A local theatre played a Dead concert, (late 70's... just can't remember) and loads of deadheads showed up at the movie theatre. Dancing, smiling, and a vibe I've NEVER felt from any live concert. Realized that the only folks who would actually go to a movie theatre to watch a concert from 30 years ago were the TRUE fans. In those couple of hours, I felt a fraction of what it must have been like back in the day. I think like many of you, the music hit me at a young age and has been with me ever since. The only difference between us is that I didn't see the shows. I was blessed to have my father's connections for tapes, and I'd grab those 2nd generations and record all night long to build my collection. Weekends upon weekends of sitting in front of that tape recorder... Just so I could get my fix for the week. My collection is impressive but I don't pull out the tapes too often these days. That sirius radio, channel 23 is always playing in my house :) Really hope I get the tickets as it will be a surprise for my father. He wasn't able to take me but now I might have a chance to take him. Sent in MO on 1/20 for two $215 tix for all 3 nights, no decorations. Still have hope the request will be filled. If not, it will be a disappointment and I'll try ticketmaster but not going to pay a dime over face value. Think most of us share that opinion! So in short, respect to the GD generation and how lucky you were to be alive at such a time. I was late to the party but I love it no less. Looking forward to Chicago and the mix of young and old. Proving that the music is timeless. If I don't get em' then I hope you get em'! :)

Hey Everybody-->According to Today's Newspaper and my Xfinity TV listings grid (And the Late Late Show's website Feb. 5 Guest list---And Ratdog's website->Tweets section Feb.1) Bob Weir is going to perform on the LATE LATE SHOW Tonight @ 12:35 EST on CBS3 (the show right after David Letterman). HOST: John Mayer. CHECK IT OUT!