AceShowbiz -

Stacy Ferguson aka Fergie's tour for "The Dutchess" has met its first stop in Seattle on May 8. Sponsored by Verizon Wireless, the ticketing system is not only high tech but also highly effective.

No paper tickets that can be torn, damaged or lost can be found sold in this tour. Instead, fans will flash a picture message in their mobile phone that is sent by Verizon and they can pass through the entrance gate. The picture message is sent to the mobiles through several ways like downloading Fergie's song, attending Verizon Wireless events, purchasing a Motorola handset or attending Candie's "Try 2 Win" fit events at Kohl's department stores.

"It is such a thrill to kick off my first solo tour, but to be able to do it my way and incorporate the technology used by my fans is what is really exciting," Fergie said. "Everyone uses their mobile phone to stay in touch, so why shouldn't artists stay connected to fans the same way?"

"The technology even gives me a chance to say thank you to my fans and make every one of them a VIP", she added in reference to "green screens". Similar to those used for motion picture effects, "green screen" enables Fergie's fans to dance to her songs and have the image inserted in the mobile phones. Fan with the best video will win a chance to jam the stage with Fergie on the finale of each show.

In the end of every show, Fergie will send her thank you text messages to all her audience and remind them of her next stop. Her tour will start again in Pittsburgh, PA on May 21 and continue in other 18 cities before winding down July 24 in Portland, OR.