Did you see Bret Michaels in Killington?

 

In three short nights, ladies man and Poison lead singer Bret Michaels will perform at the Pickle Barrel Night Club in Killington.

The show marks the return of the reinvented heartthrob who appeared at the club in 2007 before exploding on the cable TV scene with his hit reality show “Rock of Love” — now in its third season.

Chris Karr, owner of Pickle Barrel Night Club, said there is much frenzy surrounding Michaels’ performance. In fact, the question on everyone’s mind is: “Will Michaels be traveling with the girls?”

“I think the girls alone could sell tickets,” Karr said, adding he is not sure if any women from the VH1 show will be in tow.

“I don’t know who he’s traveling with,” Karr said. “Some of the TV show people will be here. I know Big John travels with him.”

Now at the height of celebreality, it is no surprise, Karr said, that the cost of booking Michaels has jumped considerably from two years ago.

“With popularity comes pricing,” said Karr, who would not disclose the price of the act.

Michaels and his East Coast band mates will take the stage at 10:30 p.m. Sunday and are expected to play all the Poison hits and several songs from the new album, “Rock My World.”

Doors open at 8 p.m. and local musician Duane Carleton is tentatively slated to warm up the crowd.

Karr said the “intimate venue” has a capacity of 750 people and tickets are still available for the show.

In terms of who plans on being at the performance, Karr said online ticket sales indicate most of the purchasers are women.

“It’s a ton of women. As you can well imagine,” he said.

The cost is $35 in advance and $40 at the door.

There are no backstage passes available and security surrounding the bus will be tight. According to Karr, however, fans might still get an up-close glimpse of the singer and a chance to interact with him during the show.

“He’s phenomenal, he loves to work the crowd and keep them going,” Karr said.

With a concert scheduled in New Jersey Saturday night, it’s unclear what time Michaels’ bus will roll into town for the Sunday performance.

It’s also unclear where Michaels will be hiding out during his Green Mountain stopover.

“We refrain from telling people where they are staying to try and give the artist a little space,” Karr said, adding that Michaels might be enjoying some winter activities while he is here.

“I think the next day they’re off, so they might stay up here to go out snowmobiling or skiing.”

patricia.minichiello@rutlandherald.co