Texas Promoter Runs Out Of Refund Money

MCKINNEY (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Sidebar Entertainment has run out of money to provide refunds to disgruntled concert-goers who purchased tickets for events that never occured or even pay past employees or creditors, the Courier-Gazette Star reported.

A post on Sidebar's website has cited low ticket sales and record rainfall which made an outdoor venue unusable as the primary causes of the firm's failure. The post went on to point to the refusal of contracted bands to return deposits on the canceled dates for the lack of money for refunds.

A number of the shows that had been scheduled by Sidebar have been purchased by other companies. America will perform on October 21st at Lakewood Theater, in Dallas. Kansas will perform September 29 at Buffalo Run Casino, and KC & the Sunshine Band will perform November 9. All Sidebar tickets will be honored at these concerts.

"The deal that we have in place was made through the agencies for the bands and not through Sidebar Entertainment. I have no phone number and have not spoken to Sidebar Entertainment. The bands’ agents said they have a promoter who is unable to complete the commitments to the bands," Brad White, president of Creative Entertainment Unlimited told the Courier-Gazette Star. He added "This is known as a ‘fire sale.’ It’s when somewhere down the line the promoter has dropped the ball and another promoter buys the concerts for a discounted rate. The bands’ agents feel really bad for the customers in McKinney, Texas, and in North Texas,"

Blood, Sweat, and Tears with Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night have been canceled and a solution for the Joan Jett show is still being sought.

Curiously however, Courier-Gazette Star noted that according to the Texas Comptroller’s Web site, Sidebar had yet to file for bankruptcy – caveat emptor. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers