Joe Walsh Fan Club Site

[Prettymaid]

Third row center! That is the closest I have EVER been.

Yea DF, great seats!!!

[tbs fanatic]

That sounds great DF

[sodascouts]

Awesome, DF!

[Mrs Henley]

Third row center! That is the closest I have EVER been.

WOW DF! That are great seats! Yeeeeh!!!!

[Ive always been a dreamer]

There was some discussion started in another thread that I thought was interesting, so I thought I'd move it over here. MikeA raised the question about whether the JWFC policy is fair with regard to whether members should be allowed to bring one guest to a M&G.

At first, Mike, I thought that it is fair to allow a member to bring one guest. However, then, I thought of some recent situations where some members were actually not allowed in because of limited space. In that case, I really don't think it is fair to bump a paying member to make room for a guest. Now, obviously, the ideal situation is to accommodate everyone, but if that is not possible then paying members should be given priority IMO.

[MikeA]

On the other side of that argument would be exactly "what" benefit would two memberships in the same household have that one would not have other than the M&G? I tried to justify it and there just wasn't any way. It has nothing to do with fan loyalty. No one is a bigger Joe Walsh fan than I nor are there very many who have followed him longer than I. Only those who knew him before the first James Gang album was released!

If there were more benefits to the fanclub than showing loyalty to Joe and access to the very minimal number of M&Gs offered, then possibly I would consider paying for double membership. Alas, there really isn't any benefit to double membership other than an occasional M&G that has to correspond with the members ability to travel to the concert city at the time of the concert.

Now, I understand that Joe cannot conduct a M&G at every venue. Logistics alone prevent this. And I understand also that at those venues where he does conduct M&Gs, sometimes the room is so small that fire marshals and other governing bodies will allow only a limited number of people.

I do sympathize with those who were not allowed to attend an M&G because of limited "seating". I think Soda was one such casualty.

For me, membership in the fanclub had so few benefits that I couldn't even justify retaining membership only for me alone. The year I joined JWFC, there was a M&G that I drove to from Wichita ultimately to Chicago to attend. We hit 4 Eagles concerts that one trip (Maddison, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Columbus). Fortunately, at that time, Verna was allowed to attend as my guest. I remained a member in JWFC until last year. Great fans on that Forum and I made some long lasting friendships. I do NOT regret being a member nor do I regret giving up all the privileges.

I remain a loyal Walsh fan....I'm just not a card-carrying member now. Now, if Verna had not had the chance to meet Joe, I consider joining for one M&G so that we could do so together. But we HAVE had the privilege to meet him. On the chance that I might be able to go to another, I might consider maintaining one membership but not if I could not meet Joe with Verna by my side! And honestly, at this point, Paying $100 for two memberships or whatever it is now in price, for a chance for an up close howdee do....well, to those who haven't met him, it might make sense.

And, Joe is not an exception in the paying fan club business. I think "The Who" are also pretty proud of their memberships and I believe the Eagles also require a membership to get benefits too. Nothing out of the ordinary at all. Just not worth it to me personally.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

I see what you're saying Mike. The real problem here seems to be that the JWFC needs to have more benefits to encourage fans to join. Like you said, most true fans would not object to paying the membership fee if there were more incentives attached. I also think it would be very wise for the fan club to allow members to bring one guest to a M&G. However, it would mean that they should insure that they have enough space to accommodate them, and it should never be at the expense of turning away a member. JMHO

[MikeA]

However, it would mean that they should insure that they have enough space to accommodate them, and it should never be at the expense of turning away a member. JMHO

Then they should have "family memberships" where one is a full member with dues at normal annual rates plus the "family" part where the additional members would pay maybe $10 a year.

I know of no one who rationalize paying for two full memberships so their spouse would not be left standing in the parking lot at these "before the show" M&Gs. That's just ridiculous. So the option is to either ante up for two full memberships or leave the club when you really didn't want to.

Leave the club was and is my choice. A shame too. I'd really like to be able to support Joe's popularity...but not enough to double pay and if it comes down to Joe or my wife, I'm taking my wife EVERY TIME!

I'm really not bitter about it though it might sound that way. I had a choice of three options...stay a member by myself...pay for my wife's full membership...or leave the club to those willing to pay the price. I made my choice and wish all the members of JWFC all the best. I do hope you get the chance to meet Joe. He is far beyond an "Ordinary Average Guy".

[sodascouts]

Unfortunately, it seems there is little consistency with how these things are dealt with. Sometimes non-member buddies are allowed, sometimes not. All I know is, when there is a space issue, someone who paid needs to get priority over someone who has not paid.

You say you think it's a rip off to buy two memberships just so you can both go to the meet'n'greet, so you don't buy two. Well, that's your choice. But how would you feel if you DID buy both memberships but STILL couldn't get in because two people ahead of you bought someone with them, taking the spaces that you and your wife had bought memberships solely to get?

Talk about a rip off.

[MikeA]

Non resolvable issue Soda. That's one of the reasons I'm no longer a member. But when my only incentive to be in JWFC was really the M&G opportunities, when economically that became not an option, there was not enough other reasons to stay. I put off "retiring" as a member for two years. I really enjoyed associating with the other JWFC members. But ultimately, the small discount from store products was no where near enough to make up for even one membership renewal let alone TWO.

So my hope is that everyone who purchases membership does get in to talk with Joe at a M&G through the club. And I hope they are able to attend without having to leave a companion standing in the parking lot in a strange city.

For me, even meeting Joe again is not worth that. Maybe for some it is worth it. I guess that is why membership in JWFC is a choice.