Photo by Kevin Mazur

Is $259 too dear to see Prince in his hometown?

It wasn't an issue in January when he debuted his 3rdEyeGirl backup trio at the 300-capacity Dakota Jazz Club. But the 3,200-capacity Myth nightclub, where Prince and his trio have scheduled two shows for Saturday, just introduced two less expensive price levels.

For $149, you can get a "second-tier floor" spot. For $99, you can head to the "third tier balcony." And, for $259, you can still land standing room on the "first-tier main floor." Tickets are available at www.mythlive.com.

When asked about the $259 ticket price last week in an interview in Denver, Prince said, "I'm paying my band more than I've ever paid." And he added that he's making more money than usual on the road. That's partly because he travels with a much smaller entourage and less elaborate production, and partly because the tour is not being handled by mega-promoters Live Nation or AEG Live.

Dr. Funkenberry (www.drfunkenberry.com), a blogger who seems to be a Prince insider, is spreading rumors that the two 90-minute Myth shows might be combined into one longer gig. Stay tuned.