So, I just got off the phone with Coran Capshaw...

[AlexK79]

I posted this in the (No) Alpine thread as that was a big part of our conversation, but cross-posting here as we also touched on ticket prices and the new album so I thought it was relevant and that people that aren't active in the tour forum may want to read this.

Mods, if this is not appropriate here, please feel free to lock/delete/move as needed.

I just spent nearly 20 minutes on the phone with Coran Capshaw himself.

Backstory: Similar to what a few others have done, I sent a nice email yesterday to the list of addresses that Lockman provided. My jaw literally dropped when I got a response less than 5 minutes later from Coran himself, saying he was happy to speak about this and asking me for my phone number so he could give me a call today. I sent him my cell # and he replied back almost immediately that he would call me today.

He called me a couple minutes after noon today. And talked to me in detail about Alpine, Summerfest, Northerly Island, why they chose to do things the way they did this year, what it means for Alpine in the future, and even a bit about the new album. I'll try to bullet point everything here, but I have to say that my respect for this guy went through the roof after this conversation. He is clearly so passionate about the band, completely understands why the fans are so passionate about this stuff, and was very candid about everything. The fact that he just took 20 minutes out of his day to call and talk to some random fan blows me away, TBH.

So bullet points:

*He 100% understands the fans passion for Alpine Valley and why it's been such a hot button topic. He's been at the shows there over the years and he gets it and he, and the band, share in our passion. He specifically referenced being there in '08 when the crowd refused to leave and wouldn't stop singing 'Thank You'. He talked about how he's been going to Alpine Valley to see shows since long before DMB even existed. He talked about seeing the Dead there in the 80's. He said "I've slept at Alpine Valley, and not in a hotel and not in a tour bus." We also talked briefly about Deer Creek, how he feels that is also a special spot for the band and how he remembers going to shows there 'Back when it was still called that and they had bungee jumping at the venue.'

*Alpine was absolutely discussed this year (as Chad mentioned from his call with Patrick.) He referenced that he thinks about how a lot of the fan base is getting older and might not be willing or able to travel as much as they used to, and he talked about 'convenience' quite a bit. He pointed out that while many fans love to travel, there's also a lot of fans in Chicago that don't, and it's been 4 years since they played in Chicago proper. When Summerfest came up, it presented the opportunity to do that again and they felt after the year off, this allowed them to try and make as many people happy as possible and play Chicago while still being able to play Milwaukee as well.

*He stressed that this in no way means the band will not go back to Alpine, and continually emphasized that this was just the way they decided to do things *this year.* He didn't obviously commit to anything specific as far as when, but did say "We will go back to Alpine."

*He was very passionate in wanting people to understand that it isn't simply all about money. He talked about all the benefits Dave does and referenced several recent examples. While obviously finances play a role, the decision to do Summerfest/Northerly x2 this year wasn't simply motivated by wanting to squeeze every last dollar, but also making going to see the band convenient (there's that word again...) for as many people as they could, and they felt it was the right thing to do this year after a year off and 4 years since their last show in Chicago. He seemed saddened (but also understanding) that people think it's about greed or about trying to put money above the experience of the band's fans.

*At several points he was very contrite and after getting all the strong feedback he said (paraphrasing here) "You know what? Maybe we made the wrong call. Maybe we should have done things differently. I can't do anything about it now, but we hear the feedback and we understand. We listen to it, we hear the fans and we will take all this to heart for next year."

*We also talked about the ticket price increase. He understands the initial reaction, but he feels the prices are fair based on the current market for concerts and the fact that the tickets include a copy of the new album. He pointed out that prices for lawn seats were kept basically flat despite the inclusion of the new CD, and those seats make up the largest chunk of tickets purchased. The decision to bump the price of the pit and lower reserved seats up by $20 was driven in part by the album being included, but also by the effects of the secondary market and the fact that those tickets are the most frequently re-sold for prices far beyond face value and the band doesn't see any of that money. He pointed out that even with the increase he feels the prices are still on the lower end for comparable acts - he referenced Justin Timberlake tickets being $105 for the cheapest seats, and Dead & Company tickets being $149 to start for the cheapest seats this year.

*He talked pretty emotionally about how he wants people to be positive. He wants people to be excited about the band coming back after a year off and with a new record that he thinks everyone will love. He hopes the band is energized after the year off and he hopes the fans are too. He doesn't want people to let the choice in venues sour their experience or ruin their excitement for a new album and tour. He said he was at the D&T shows in Mexico and it made him excited to get back out on the road this year.


* We touched briefly on the new record. He's excited about it and he said it was going to include "Some songs you may have heard already, and maybe some you haven't." He said they were putting together some great packages and mentioned a vinyl release.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

There was more, but this is most of what I can put together. I have to be honest that I was truly impressed with how genuine he was. He's truly passionate and cares about the band, the fans. He still loves the music, attends the shows, and is every bit as invested in these guys (and us) as he was in the beginning. I'll say it again, the fact that this guy is one of the biggest managers in the business and took 20 minutes out of his day to make a phone call to some random fan that sent him an email speaks volumes to me about his character and how much he does care.

[RiotAct]

did you end the call by flushing the toilet really close to the phone then hanging up? That's what I would have done.

[bowa36]

Originally Posted by RiotAct

did you end the call by flushing the toilet really close to the phone then hanging up? That's what I would have done.

[bowa36]

thank you very much for the info op

[TimHonks]

Great contribution, as usual, Alex. Very cool that he is taking time to respond.

[BTBaboon]

That's awesome, thanks for sharing!

Any other details on the vinyl release of the new album?

[alec]

Maybe they are focusing on promoting the album through personal emails and phone calls this time around. To hell with the internet!

[daveshookme]

That's very, very cool. I had a similar experience a few years back mid-summer although it wasn't with Coran. I'm sure it was as awesome of an experience as mine was.

I'm pumped to hear he/they hear the feedback. Not that I didn't think they would, but that it seems he's already processed and internalized it. As much as I shit on Alpine, it is obviously a huge destination venue for the band. It's the SPAC/Gorge of the midwest, without a doubt. I hope y'all get some dates out there next time and I can finally knock it off my list.

[JAMILL112]

“Getting vinyl and deluxe packages ready” because we’ll buy those along with the multiple copies we’ll get from going to shows.

cool

We are gettin so cap$hawed this year.

[Rodey]

He's excited about the album? Shocking!

In all seriousness, though, the other stuff is pretty interesting to glean insight into. Obviously do not buy into it 100%, as it's just him putting on his PR hat, but interesting nonetheless.

[daveshookme]

Originally Posted by Rodey

He's excited about the album? Shocking!

In all seriousness, though, the other stuff is pretty interesting to glean insight into. Obviously do not buy into it 100%, as it's just him putting on his PR hat, but interesting nonetheless.

I really don't think it is.

[YouNeverKnow25]

OP should have asked for SPAC pit tickets at the end of the call

[cpxc.]

Originally Posted by daveshookme

That's very, very cool. I had a similar experience a few years back mid-summer although it wasn't with Coran. I'm sure it was as awesome of an experience as mine was.

I'm pumped to hear he/they hear the feedback. Not that I didn't think they would, but that it seems he's already processed and internalized it. As much as I shit on Alpine, it is obviously a huge destination venue for the band. It's the SPAC/Gorge of the midwest, without a doubt. I hope y'all get some dates out there next time and I can finally knock it off my list.

Was it Hilly?

[chadizzy1]

What's interesting, is you're not the only one he actually talked to on the phone. I heard from two other fans yesterday that he personally called after they sent him an email complaining about no Alpine/ticket prices.

It's really interesting.

[daveshookme]

Originally Posted by cpxc.

Was it Hilly?

no, not at all. Up there, though.

[excitingjae]

Awesome post OP.

[AlexK79]

Also FWIW, I did ask him if it was alright to share the contents of our conversation here and he gave his blessing to do that.

[cpxc.]

So maybe he's not as greedy as we thought. Instead of Coran Cap$haw, maybe it's more like Coran ¢apshaw

[ToySoldier#34]

Helloooo Sugar Will!

[TheLastStop123]

that's kind of crazy and great that he did that. thanks for sharing!

[Climb2safety]

Pretty cool OP. Does this mean you will end your petition?

[daveshookme]

Originally Posted by cpxc.

So maybe he's not as greedy as we thought. Instead of Coran Cap$haw, maybe it's more like Coran ¢apshaw

[Rodey]

Originally Posted by cpxc.

So maybe he's not as greedy as we thought. Instead of Coran Cap$haw, maybe it's more like Coran ¢apshaw

He's not dumb. He knows the value of the American dollar is dwindling!

[SyracuseFan]

Great post - thanks

[ericvol]

So cool, glad to hear there will be some old songs and some new.

My perfect mix would be 5 old and 8 or 9 new.

I just hope they choose the right old songs!

[BTBaboon]

Originally Posted by ericvol

So cool, glad to hear there will be some old songs and some new.

My perfect mix would be 5 old and 8 or 9 new.

I just hope they choose the right old songs!

Also depends on what is considered "old".

Black and Blue Bird has been around a few years, that's likely counted in his "songs we've heard already" comment.

My gut still says that nothing first played prior to 2015/2016 is making the cut. Hope I'm wrong!

[ElijahSoRight72]

I'm actually really happy about the packages thing- maybe we can a bonus disc, or some real behind the scenes on this album. They've been working on it forever, so I hope we can get the story behind the process. If they wrote and recorded as much as Dave has hinted at, I would definitely throw my money at a big package with a bunch of songs that didn't make the cut. Just give us more leading up to this album than we got for AFTW. Remember the "hundreds of hours of behind the scenes footage?"

[chadizzy1]

Originally Posted by cpxc.

So maybe he's not as greedy as we thought. Instead of Coran Cap$haw, maybe it's more like Coran ¢apshaw

Amazing

[MouphMadness]

Originally Posted by ericvol

So cool, glad to hear there will be some old songs and some new.

My perfect mix would be 5 old and 8 or 9 new.

I just hope they choose the right old songs!

I don't think anything mentioned suggests songs like Sugar Will or Break Free will be on it. "Songs we may have heard before" could just be referencing Samarai Cop, Bismarck, Bob Law, and songs of those nature. But we shall see!

[chrisjuniper]

Originally Posted by BTBaboon

That's awesome, thanks for sharing!

Any other details on the vinyl release of the new album?

yeah they ran out of digital download codes from the summer tickets so the vinyl won't come with a d/l. sorry.