Goodrich – They did it, they snagged tickets to last night’s, Jan.11, Hannah Montana’s ‘Best of Both Worlds? tour at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
Madison Hart, 13, a middle school student and Jessica Wildey, 14, a high school studnet said they owe it all to Madison’s grandmother, Joann Dunkel, 70, who stood in line at the Perani Arena in Flint for the tickets.
‘I couldn’t believe it,? said Jessica. ‘When Madison told me her grandmother got the tickets and I was invited to go, I freaked out!?
It all started on Dec.15, when the tickets went on sale for one day only. Madison, along with her dad and mom were at Perani arena watching Madison’s brother Riley play ice-hockey. Because there were so many people in line waiting to buy tickets, Madison called her grandmother on her cell phone and asked if she would stand in line for her.
‘I love my grandmother so much, we are very close,? said Madison. ‘I knew I could count on her.?
‘I would do anything for Madison,? said Dunkel. ‘Besides I enjoy going to concerts and really enjoy going to Elton John’s performances.?
Reminiscing about what happened that day Dunkel said the tickets were sold like lottery tickets.
‘I was standing in line when the guy in the ticket booth came out and asked everyone to pull a little lottery ticket. They looked like little raffle tickets. The person in front of me had number 144. I had number 145 and the two people behind me had numbers 146 and 147.?
When they decided to choose the four people in line who had numbers starting at 144 through numbers 147 Dunkel said she just couldn’t believe it. ‘I was so excited, everyone else in line was told there would be no more tickets sold,? said Dunkel.
Madison said when everyone else was told they couldn’t purchase any tickets, some became quite upset. ‘I saw an older man crying because he couldn’t get tickets for his grandchild,? she said.
Madison’s mom Patty Wildey said, ‘Because the tickets are so hard to get, they are going for as much as $2,000 a piece on the Internet. I also heard Hannah’s concerts are selling out faster than the Rolling Stones concerts ever did.?
According to news report by CNN Reporter Rich Phillips, Patty was right. Phillips said in his report, ‘Ticket brokers swooped up thousands of tickets within minutes of them becoming available online and shut out legitimate Hannah followers. Desperate fans found they would have to pay brokers $350 to $2,000 for the $63 concert tickets.?
So what’s the Hannah Montana phenomenon all about?
She is the girl who appears on the Hannah Montana television show day after day. On the Disney Channel television series, Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) plays Miley Stewart, a teenager trying to lead an ordinary life, while secretly carrying on a career as an international pop star.
‘I can really relate to her music,? said Madison. ‘I especially like her song, ‘Nobody’s Perfect.?
Both Madison and Jessica say they watch her show every day and believe that although Hannah is talented and beautiful, they think she is very real and down to earth.
‘She is just really happy and always seems to be a positive person,? said Jessica. ‘I also think she is a really good influence for little kids, they really love her.?