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Montanamania: Youths flock to see teen idol

David Lindquist
by David Lindquist

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Sydney Trisler, 5, and her sister Sierra, 8, of Whiteland, Ind., dressed up as Hannah Montana for Sunday's concert at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Chilly weather triggered chattering teeth among young girls waiting outside Conseco Fieldhouse for Sunday's sold-out "Hannah Montana"/Miley Cyrus concert.

Most fans younger than 10 also were tight-lipped when talking about their favorite singer -- 15-year-old Cyrus -- and the Montana character she portrays on a popular Disney Channel sitcom.

Quotes of "She's pretty," "She's cool," and "I like her songs" essentially covered the pre-concert sentiments from youngsters who traveled from Kentucky, Illinois and all corners of Indiana.

But after the final notes of closing number "The Best of Both Worlds," fans shared detailed praise for the event resale brokers called the most in-demand concert in the basketball arena's 8-year history.

"It was awesome," said 10-year-old Ashley Bylund of Lafayette. "I liked when Miley Cyrus popped out of the floor."

"I'll remember the end when everyone came out and held hands," said 12-year-old Haley Hall of Indianapolis. "There were streamers and fireworks."

"It was great," said 9-year-old Riley Thompson of Indianapolis. "Miley is a great pop star and a great idol."

Thompson's mother, Kim, paid $300 for two balcony seats purchased through resale ticket broker www.frontrowtickets.com. Face-value prices for tickets to Sunday's show were $56 and $40.

Initially concerned that her tickets might not be legit, Kim Thompson said entrance to Conseco Fieldhouse was no problem and she deemed the concert worth the extra cash.

In September, local brokerage company Circle City Tickets listed a second-row ticket for the concert at $1,840. Three hours before the concert's 4 p.m. start time, however, brokers held "cheap tickets" signs outside the arena and one offered a lower level seat for $125.

That's probably not great news for 18-year-old Danielle Lynne, who couldn't get tickets for the Indianapolis show when they went on sale and then spent $200 for a ticket to the tour's Jan. 3 stop in Cleveland. Lynne said she made her transaction at resale Web site www.stubhub.com.

Because Lynne is more of a Jonas Brothers fan than a Hannah Montana backer, she spent Sunday morning at a Circuit City store in Castleton, where the Jonas trio -- the concert's supporting act -- signed autographs for 500 fans.

Adoration for Kevin, Nick and Joe Jonas rivals Montana mania, as four teenagers from Carmel camped out at the store from 6:30 a.m. Saturday until the musicians arrived at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

Allie Daniels, Taryn Ford, JoAnna Morgan and Ellie Payne passed the 30-hour endurance test.

Outside Conseco Fieldhouse, where pre-teens, parents and grandparents gathered around a pink bus promoting the tour, concertgoers praised the fan club Web site www.mileyworld.com as the source for their tickets purchased at face value.

Brenda Dawson, a 62-year-old resident of Louisville, said her family bought more than a dozen tickets to multiple tour stops after paying $29.95 in one-year membership dues at Miley World.

Standing near granddaughters Maggie Hoehler, 8, Gracie Hoehler, 7, and Caylee Dawson, 7, Brenda said she's become a dedicated fan of the Hannah Montana franchise.

"I find myself watching (the television show) when the kids aren't at my house," she said.

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