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Why Does Amy Winehouse Still Get Performing Gigs?

Thu., May. 14, 2009 11:27 AM PDT by Leslie Gornstein

AP Photo/Joel Ryan

Why do venues still continue to book Amy Winehouse? Her recent concert at the St. Lucia Jazz Festival was embarrassing and painful to watch. But she hasn't really put on a real, good show for a long time and clearly has some problems.
—Beth, West Bend, Wisc.

I contacted a tour marketer/concert promoter about this. The answer I got may shock you. Be sitting down right now. Are you sitting down? Are you lying to me? Do you think I can't see you?

So the Amy Winehouse that concert promoters see is apparently very different from the Amy Winehouse you think you know...

...and that Amy is actually a fairly decent performer.

When she isn't practically stumbling into her own beehive. Which—get this—doesn't happen 100 percent of the time. Add all that up, and concert bookers are still willing to bet on Amy possibly pulling a decent show out of her tiny ass.

"When her shows are good," my source tells me, "which they rarely are, but they exist—I know, I saw her at the Troubadour a couple years ago—they are amazing."

And unlike many singers who do not have a reputation for quality concerts (*ahemLadyGagaahem*), Winehouse can deliver when she wants to.

"She has a rip-roaring voice and great stage presence, a great backing band, and the music sounds amazing live," my source confirms. "Say what you will: She is talented. Like, crazy talented. And ultimately people want to believe in her."

One final factor in Amy's continuing presence on live stages: Schadenfreude. Look it up.

"Having her there builds a trainwreck-style buzz around a show," my source explains. "Especially a festival, where no one gets their money back if one artist doesn't show up or bombs. Ten great performances and one s--t disaster performance from her garners press."
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