Elton John ticketing system collapses at the University of Montana

“For you to imply that we’re doing something wrong is just bullshit,” Duringer, UM’s vice president for administration and finance snapped.

Story by Jessica Mayrer & Alex Sakariassen

Full Story: http://www.montanakaimin.com/index.php/news/news_article/elton_john_ticketing_system_collapses/

***

Dropping the ball could hurt UM in the long run

Sean Breslin
Montana Kaimin

The already-miserable situation was compounded by the unwillingness of many UM officials to comment on how things went so wrong.

Full Story: http://www.montanakaimin.com/index.php/opinion/opinion_article/dropping_the_ball_could_hurt_um_in_the_long_run/

***

Elton fans’ ‘Candle’ dreams snuffed – Tickets sold out online before thousands waiting in lines had chance

The system was complicated; and when all was said and done, it just plain didn’t work.

By JOE NICKELL of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2007/09/06/news/top/news01.txt

***

After driving hours, waiting in lines, fans leave empty-handed

By BETSY COHEN of the Missoulian

Excitement began to build in the long, polite line of would-be Elton John ticket buyers on Wednesday morning at the University Center.

As the clock ticked ever closer to 10 a.m., when tickets were scheduled to go on sale, cell phones began to ring up and down the throng, with calls from friends and family wondering whether the tickets had been procured.

Behind the counter at The Source, Josh Peters-McBride made sure all was in order for the one computer designated to the ticket sales. He smiled and waited for the hour to strike, waving to friends on the other side in the ticket line and fielding periodic questions, such as “What’s the difference between the $67 seats and the $97 seats?”
*
Nellie Lutz, a UM junior, was all smiles, too. On her wrist was the green bracelet numbered 1214; which made her the first person who could purchase tickets.

Around her, other students began talking about the Elton John parties they were planning. Some said they’ve pulled out record players and have been playing his old vinyls for days, hoping by the time the concert rolls around, they’ll have a handle on the rock icon’s lifelong repertoire.

10 a.m: Nothing happened. Peters-McBride couldn’t call up tickets on his computer.

10:01: Nothing happened.

Every minute thereafter: Nothing happened.

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2007/09/06/news/local/news02.txt