Bryon Holbrooks of Augusta digs into his cooler for a can of Coke while camping out Friday at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center for tickets for the Oct. 9 Elton John concert. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m.today. JEFF JANOWSKI/STAFF

Eager fans await ticket sales

Web posted September 11, 1999

 Where to get tickets

By Charmain Z. Brackett
Correspondent

Rob Bunch spent Thursday glued to his radio and telephone. On Friday, he decided to do it the hard way.

``I tried all day yesterday trying to win (Elton John concert) tickets,'' said Mr. Bunch, who decided the best way to get good tickets was to camp out in front of Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.

By 3 p.m. Friday, there were about a dozen diehard fans who shared Mr. Bunch's idea for getting the best seats for the Oct. 9 concert. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. today at the box office and at TicketMaster locations.

``I love Elton John,'' said Tab Newman, who staked her claim at the front of the line at 8:30 a.m. ``I might never have this chance again.''

The Elton John faithful brought stocked coolers and lawn chairs and shared with one another about their interest in the pop legend.

``I remember in chorus in high school, the boys would play Bennie and the Jets on the piano,'' said Susan Hill, who graduated from Hephzibah High School about 20 years ago.

``Bennie and the Jets -- I love it,'' echoed Ms. Newman.

Mr. John is traveling alone on this concert -- no band. It's just him and his piano.

``It's kind of like a personal show,'' said Mr. Bunch. ``You won't need binoculars to see him.''

Some of the fans were almost shocked that the pop superstar, who has had a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart every year since 1970, would come to Augusta's civic center which will seat just under 8,100 people for this concert.

``This will be the only time he'll ever be here,'' said Mr. Bunch. ``I doubt we will ever see him here again.''

Reggie Williams, civic center general manager, said he is hoping that Mr. John won't be the last big name act to play the Garden City.

Elton John AP/FILE

``A lot of people have defined Augusta as not a good market,'' he said. ``People want to see a good show, but promoters want to see a track record of things selling out. It's a Catch-22. I think this will be a barometer, not only for promoters but agencies as to whether we get future acts of this kind.''

Tickets

Elton John tickets may be purchased at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center box office, 601 Seventh St., or at area TicketMaster outlets.

Augusta area TicketMaster locations are:

Publix, 2816 Washington Road, National Plaza in Augusta

Publix, 4274 Washington Road, Evans Town Center in Evans

Publix, 403 Fury's Ferry Road, Furys Ferry Plaza in Martinez

Publix, 334 E. Martintown Road, North Augusta Plaza in North Augusta

Publix, 250 East Gate Drive, in Aiken

Homefolks News and Music, 4020 Washington Road, Columbia Square in Martinez

Homefolks News and Music, 2803 Wrightsboro Road, Daniel Village in Augusta

Homefolks News and Music, 1631 Gordon Highway, Southgate Plaza in south Augusta

The outlets accept cash only. The civic center box office accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover.

To charge by phone, call 828-7700. To purchase tickets online, go to www.ticketmaster.com.

Charmain Z. Brackett covers human interest stories for The Augusta Chronicle. She can be reached at (803) 441-6927 or czbrackett@hotmail.com.