For charity concert, scalpers lie low

NORMAN, OKLA. -

A concert benefiting Oklahoma tornado victims has drawn some of the biggest names in country music, but with proceeds intended for charity it is not attracting scalpers hoping to prey on an unsuspecting public.

Oklahoma natives Toby Keith and Garth Brooks are among the star-studded lineup planned for the Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert, at the University of Oklahoma's Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium tomorrow. Other performers include Trisha Yearwood, Willie Nelson, Sammy Hagar, Ronnie Dunn, Mel Tillis and John Anderson, as well as Carrie Underwood, who will perform via satellite from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

While so many big names might normally make the show a boon for ticket scalpers and the secondary ticket market, some concert promoters say that doesn't seem to be the case for tomorrow's show.

"What I've heard from the industry . . . is that it would be taboo on this particular event," said Brad White, an independent concert promoter from Norman. "Even the secondary-ticket guys are avoiding this."

Several independent promoters not associated with the concert said that although scalping may technically be legal, making a profit off the misfortune of others is certainly in poor taste.

Some major ticket brokers like San Francisco-based StubHub declined to enable listings for tomorrow's concert and instead provided a link where customers can donate to the relief fund.

Although major ticket brokers are shying away from the resale of tickets, numerous tickets to the event can be found online on sites such as Craigslist and eBay for up to 10 times face value, or $250. City officials in Norman also pointed out there is no prohibition on the sale of tickets outside the event.

The money raised from ticket sales benefits the United Way of Central Oklahoma, which has established a fund specifically to aid victims of the tornadoes and violent storms that pummeled the state in May and led to 48 deaths. A separate benefit concert last month hosted by Oklahoma native country music star Blake Shelton and televised live on NBC raised more than $6 million in donations and pledges.