I just found out Michelle Branch is the opening act for The Beacon Theater show. I guess they'll get to do "I Lose My Heart" together. She's alright but I doubt she'll beat last years opening act of James Hunter or Nicole Atkins from the year before. Anyone know who's opening other shows on this tour?

Just read Martin Sexton is opening at Wolf Trap.

GET OUT!!! That is fantastic. Martin Sexton is fabulous. Not to be missed. Jealous of all of you who get to see this show.

I am trying to decide between driving to atlanta or wolftrap. good to hear some comments about the opening acts.

Do we know the status of the meet and greet? I may go and actually buy this cd. I can't stand it that some of his songs, even the happy hopeful ones can make me cry. Damm it. As I listen to the new cd and interviews, I am convinced this man is happy and in love and irritated and disdainful of the ladies cheering his single status and giving him their phone numbers. I'll bet this is why he says he is too tried for the meet and greet. He is happy, in love and doesn't want to deal with nutty women!

my two cents.

Check out Martin's myspace page and give him a listen-it is steaming live performances. His own website gives you a taste of what he can do as well. Don't be fooled, what is streaming is pretty mellow, he can rock too.

Yeah, i listened a bit and he is kind of a little jazzy too. He sounds good. I can drive 4 hours to wolftrap for a 45 ticket or 6 hours to atlanta for a 75 dollar ticket. guess I may go to wolftrap.

Thanks for the info.!!

We're getting the Wrights as the opening act here in Nashville.

http://www.thewrightsmusic.com/

chris' surf shop

Michelle Branch is the opener for the Meadow Brook Music Festival show in Rochester Hills, Michigan on Sunday, July 19/09.

My daughter, Olivia, said Chris Isaak should be the opener for Michelle Branch since she's more popular. I told her they'll be no disin' Chris Isaak in this house. lol!

WHAT??? Michelle Branch is more popular, however. With Michelle Branch, that is.

Anya Marina is the opening act in Morristown.

I heard her live on the radio recently. I only heard one song but it sounded really good. Looking forward to seeing her.

No opening act in Council Bluffs...YEAH!!! No meet and greet....BOOOO!

Awww Angie - that sucks. Maybe it's a sign of things to come.
He has been doing M&G's for such a long time now. Maybe
the new thing is VIP tickets?

I guess it's official now...no meet and greet! How 'bout a review of the show?

I guess it's official now...no meet and greet!

I've been telling lots of people about the meet and greet so this is a big disappointment. Next weekend is the Michigan show and I've told people about the meet and greet for that one.

I'm really disappointed, too. I wonder if sales will be way down at the merch table. One of the perks of being the "VIP PEOPLE" is no waiting on crowded lines with us little people but now they won't even have crowds at the merch table. what crowds are they talking about anyway? Puhleez!

I can't imagine that the merchandise will sell as well as it has in past if Chris isn't going to sign it. I always bought one or two things (sometimes more for other people) at each show so I think I "donated" a fair amount to the merchandise kitty. That part on the end (meet and greet) just made the whole show, in my opinion. Chris was willing to give to his fans and we gave back to him. Maybe he's just sick of seeing us in the lines? I'm really bummed about this VIP thing.

I am really disappointed about the end of Meet and Greets. I will continue to go to shows, but I probably won't buy merchandise anymore. I have my share of CI shirts. The only reason I would buy any more is the fun of meeting Chris to get him to sign it each time. If they lose too much revenue because of fewer sales at the table, maybe they'll rethink the VIP idea.

One can hope...

Does anybody know who Kristina Train is? I've heard that she's the opening act at the Sept. 2nd concert in Oregon.
Thanks

I haven't heard of her but I just checked out her myspace. She sounds kinda bluesy. It looks like she's opening a bunch of the west coast dates.

I totally agree with momonthemove and FifiKitty. Being on a limited budget... I bought merchandise only because I wanted to meet Chris and to have the purchase signed. I will still attend his concerts but I will not be buying any merchandise.

I am disappointed about the end of meet and greets as well. I looked forward to it and it was a highlight of the evening. I either bought something or brought a cd from home so I could say 'hi' and personally thank him for a great show. I'm glad I got to tell him I loved the new songs after the Vegas shows. I became a big fan of his after meeting him while he was filming his first TV show near where I live. He was so nice and genuinely down to earth that I really fell for him and that's why I have such a huge crush on him. My son who was 13 at the time, thought it was 'so cool' that a celebrity would talk to us and just talk about everyday things. Does anyone know if the other band members have come out like they usually do?

I'd like to know if the other band members have been around before or after shows too. I just bought Roly's cd and would love for him to sign it. The cd is really good by the way. I'd listened to the clips on his website many times and just wasn't sure about them. I finally decided to just buy it and have been listening in my car. The more I listen the more I like it. Check it out.

If you are reading this Roly----come on out at the Newport show so I can personally tell you how much I like your music!!!

Should we boycott the merchandise table? Maybe they'll have a change of heart if no one's buying tee shirts. That merchandise is a big money maker for tours. I probably won't buy anything if he's not signing unless there's a really cute shirt. It's all so disappointing.

I don't think that would be fair to boycott the merch tables, that is a huge part of their income. I missed the meet and greet dearly last Friday, but I think Chris has more then spoiled us over the years by signing things after EVERY show. How many other artists do you know who do that?! Maybe it was a matter of after having done it for so many years it was something he wanted to quit a year or so ago, but how do you stop doing that once you start?

I thank him for all the time he has invested in meeting fans and I hope he will do it again sometime in the future. Until then, I have some great memories of the times I did get to say hi and get something signed!

Yay.hello Miss Angie....Nice to see you again.
I totally agree.
Cheers,

I don't know if the VIP M & G's are generating revenue, but I hope so. I remember an interview about 2 (?) years ago where CI said it's not about the money, he said he'll die with money in the bank. If the fan M & G's are out and the VIP M & G's are in, let's hope there's enough money, (after management has been paid OF COURSE) that some of the revenue filters over to some charitable causes. It seems much more honorable than simply phasing out the fan M & G's to pocket the cash.

I was only kidding about the boycott besides I don't think there is enough of us on this board to make a difference. I totally understand if he doesn't want to do the meet and greet anymore. I'm disappointed but I do understand. I just don't like the idea that he's doing the VIP thing leaving out all the people that can't afford it. The fans that have supported him for a long time.

There is a substantial number of people who read this board. They don't all post or maybe never have posted, but they read it. Many more read it than post on it so I think the board can make a difference. I'm thankful for all the meet and greets that Chris has done. As Wildflower says, I'm disappointed that the VIP thing will leave out many people that are long-time, loyal supporters.

Michelle Branch was on the radio alittle while ago, WPLJ in NYC. The deejay made a comment that she "survived" a whole tour with Chris Isaak and that crazy drummer we like to call Freddy?!? I guess there's some history I don't know about with Chris and Kenney being on the show. It's a top 40 station that I normally don't listen to but Michelle only had nice things to say about Kenney and Chris. Just thought I'd share that.