Political Party Time

Sunlight Foundation

Free love and money at the Carole King, James Taylor Reunion Tour

At least six members of Congress, all Democrats, plan to relive the 70s and also raise some serious 2010 campaign cash at the Carole King and James Taylor Troubadour Reunion Tour at the Verizon Center in Washington tonight.

The Troubadour Reunion Tour is billed as the 40th anniversary of King and Taylor’s first performance together in 1970 at the folk-music-mecca, the Troubadour nightclub, in West Hollywood, Calif.

Lawmakers who are planning fundraisers at this event include:

Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md., who is asking guests to pay $1,000 for individuals and $1,500 for political action committees.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., who is also hosting a reception at the Verizon Center an hour before the concert. Tickets are $2,500 per political action committee and $2,400 per individual.

Rep. John Hall, D-N.Y., is advertising the “best seats in the house” for the concert. His tickets are $2,500 per ticket for seats to the right of the stage “designed to recreate the intimacy of the vintage Troubadour club” and offers the chance to attend a private pre-concert sound check. Guests can also pay $1,000 for premium seats, which are close row seats right by the stage.

Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., lists her position as the Chair of the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee of the House Armed Serves Committee, and a member of the Homeland Security and Joint Economic Committees. Sanchez’ tickets to the event are $1,000 for individuals and $2,500 for political action committees.

Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., writes on his invite to the concert: “I hope you will be able to join me for a special concert event featuring Carol [sic] King and James Taylor tomorrow” and is asking for contributions of $2,500.

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., appears to have used the same outreach service as Rep. Engel because her invite looked the same as his, complete with the identical typo of Carole King’s name. DeGette is also asking for contributions of $2,500. Her invite lists an earlier date of the concert of June 8th, but it was changed to tonight.

Tonight’s concert, which will include original support band from The Troubadour, is estimated to be the best selling ticket event in the world, based on sales from the secondary ticket exchange, the TicketNetwork Exchange.

Featured songs might include Smiling Face, Up on the Roof, and maybe one the lawmakers will like:  Where You Lead.

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