From: Peter Zimmerman

Hey Bob,

In response to harvey goldsmith and wolf trap merch rates.

first:

We’re all in business. harvey in the for profit sector, wolf trap in the non-profit sector.

As the principal negotiatior of contracts with atrists here at wolf trap, it is my job to be clear and concise about the deal points for any artist who accepts an offer to perform at wolf trap.

One of the many "deal points" of any of my offers is the merch rate- it is a "most favoreded nation" rate, which means that NO artist receives a better rate. It is on ALL my offer sheets, and is non-negotiable.

The offer was made; the agency fowarded the offer to management; the offer was accepted and a contract was issued. Management signed off on the deal and the contract WITH THE MERCH RATE ON THE FACE PAGE was fully executed. DONE DEAL.

Then the day of show- Harv showed up at my venue screaming like a schoolgirl about the merch rate and proceeds to write to you as if this was a total rip off, berating my promoter rep- babrara- who is a consumate professional, and deriding me personally for "deciding to go home instead of discussing this me personally".

well Harv- i have a 2 year old with a nasty rash covering 60% of his body. I decided to be at his dr’s appt this afternoon. Some things are just more important than arguing over a deal point that was settled MONTHS ago.

While we often deal with challenging personalities on show day- it is RARE that i receive calls regarding situations such as this. If this is the way you conduct yourself profesionally harv- then so be it- take your artist elsewhere for a better merch rate. I know a 500 seat club in my market made an offer; i’m sure they would negotiate a better merch rate- but then again- we’re 7,000 seats- an ummm, you’re walk out at wolf trap tonight will far exceeed that walk out potential. Your choice.

I came to this venue as I was told it was a good one.
The minute I was made aware of these obscene charges I asked our agent to negotiate a better deal that was fair.
This is patently unfair.
I have been trying to make some sense with the management of this
building for over 3 weeks.
The fact that it is a favoured nation deal is irrelevant.
To be told that we have the option NOT to sell is an insult and proves my point.

IT IS A RIP OFF

The people most ripped off of course is the audience.
But no one in USA gives a toss about them.
I admit that if the contract stated 35% then I missed it at first.
Does that mean it is correct?
The fact that the manager of the building went home as we arrived
clearly again proves the point.

My stance is that someone, maybe only me, has to start to make sense of where we are currently.
Currently the business is suffering from overcharging on everything.
Starting with ticket charges and special ticket deals and the way
tickets are distributed so that the fans cannot buy a best seat at the
printed price.
The merchandising charges are the last straw.

If life is so wonderful here why are so many artists ticket sales on the floor?

Barbara may think I am an ass, and maybe I do fly off the handle.
But I will fight tooth and nail for what is right and this is not.

Harvey Goldsmith