Cell-cell-cellular

My colleague one door down will surely cringe at the following statement, but it is true nonetheless: I saw Phil Collins last night at the United Center in Chicago--and I had a great time. First row seats--how could I not?

In addition to being treated to a good show, several Foster's Lagers and the company of good friends--including one who is a dead-ringer for Collins, minus the talent and the money and who drew many a double take as we made our way through the crowd--we also were treated to excellent cellular coverage.

Yes, coverage at a concert now matters. Besides helping me find my brother in a crowded bar prior to the concert, the coverage helped thousands (I'm guessing) of people not lucky enough to have tickets enjoy little snippets of the show.

I still think it's rude to whip out a phone at a baseball game, but when I see cell phones waving in the air at a concert, all I can think is "ka-ching." Minutes and multimedia were abundantly "In the Air Tonight" last night. And as proof that it is not only not taboo to make a cell phone call during a concert (at least a loud one) but is actually encouraged, one fan handed Collins her cell phone, into which he proceeded to sing.

I saw more camera phones and video phones being used at one time than I have seen collectively since they debuted. "Ka-ching." And I saw more people holding their phones up in the air during a rather cool a cappella rendition of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" than I saw little flags at the Fourth of July parade. "Ka-ching."

The night was almost ruined when I handed my business card to the young blonde (whose parents probably introduced her to Collins) three seats down and asked her to call me the next day so I could "interview" her about how her picture mail messages came out. She freaked. I pointed to my wife and tried to explain that I was legit, but then she saw my Phil Collins look-a-like friend and her creepiness factor doubled. She probably thought he was like a Trekkie at a "Star Trek" convention dressing as Captain Kirk. She left before the encore.

Still, until someone cracks down on the piracy potential of cell phones--sometime after the speed, video and sound quality improves--concerts will prove to be another unanticipated driver of minutes. That should be music to all our ears. Can you hear it now? Ka-ching. Ka-ching.

Now, if you were wondering how I could see all those phones being used while sitting in the first row, I will tell you. It was the first row in the 300 level, where my own ka-ching went more for the Fosters than the Phil.

E-mail me at tmcelligott@primediabusiness.com