Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Thousands Of Fans Upset After Dem Franchise Boyz Miss South Carolina Concert Date

Atlanta Hip-Hop quartet Dem Franchize Boyz was a no show Friday (July 21) at an event which attracted 1,100 fans.
The group, under contract to perform at 10:30 p.m. at the Greenwood Civic Center in South Carolina, was the scheduled headliner for the four and a half hour event, which also featured a dance contest,
DJ and other groups.Although promoters informed the crowd at 11:20 p.m. that the group was on its way from Atlanta, they canceled the performance by 12:30 a.m. During that time, Dem Franchize Boyz was still on the road and in Elberton, Ga., according to the Index-Journal.
"They were paid to show up. They did not show up, and everybody blames us and the promoter," said Tracy Upton, vice president for operations at the Civic Center. "The promoter did one of the best jobs I've seen in a long time (getting word out about the show). Their crowd was here, but the headliners did not show up."
The no show marked the second time in eight years a Civic Center act was paid and failed to show up, remembered Upton, who called the situation "disappointing."
"I can't get them to answer the phone; my lawyer can't get them to answer the phone," said Johnson, who admitted that despite it being his first time working with Dem Franchize Boyz, the group isn't known for missing shows. "I think they've showed up at all their concerts."
Although, the crowd became "real rowdy" when they were told Dem Franchize Boyz would not perform, Reggie Johnson, the show's promoter, said the crowd "left because officers were there. They calmed down pretty quick."
When it was clear that Dem Franchize Boyz would not appear, extra security was called in by officers on duty at the civic center, added Upton.
Fans looking for refunds were out of luck. Johnson told the Index-Journal Tuesday (July 25) that all ticket revenues are with Dem Franchize Boyz' management.
As a result, he doesn't have any money for refunds. Parents demanding refunds at the Civic Center also came away empty-handed after learning the reason why they would not be compensated.
To make up for the mishap, Johnson's company, RRJ Productions, will hold a pool party and cookout for all ticket holders. The event will be 2 p.m. Saturday (July 29) at the R.L. Stevens Recreation Center on Seaboard Avenue. The event will be paid for by the company.
In addition to the pool party, Johnson mentioned a possible show in the future for ticket-holders to "keep the (company's) name good."