Lawrence Concert Cancelled, Venue Under Investigation
Tracy Lawrence will not be performing in Sallisaw, Okla., Thursday night, according to a post on the country music singer’s Facebook page. Complaints have sparked an investigation into the unfinished venue.
The singer posted Wednesday: “Hey guys, sorry to inform you that our show tomorrow in Sallisaw, OK has been cancelled. Hope to catch y’all down the road!!”
Lawrence was set to perform at the BackRoads Bar and Grill on E. 1050 Rd at 8 p.m. on June 14.
According to a report from the Sequoyah County Times, Thursday was supposed to be the ‘far-from-completed’ venue’s opening night.
“Some of the subcontractors have begun to question the legitimacy of the business because of problems they have had getting paid,” the article states.
It’s a problem that sparked an investigation with the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Ron Lockhart says contractors are contacting him because they aren’t getting paid for their work.
According to the sheriff, the company responsible, KNF Enterprises owes more than $300,000 to workers.
Several leans have also been placed on the property, more than $125,000 worth filed just this week, according to the sheriff.
“We have received some documents and some paper trail that looks like this was fraud from the get go and basically it started in Tennessee and it’s come here,” the sheriff said.
If any other contractors have worked on BackRoads Bar and Grill and haven’t been paid, they are asked to contact the sheriff’s Office.
Tickets ranged between $20-$25 and were available e through a Protix website and sold at Merrill Check Cashing and Self Storage in Sallisaw.
The business posted the following statement on the 5NEWS Facebook page Thursday morning: “Merrill Check Cashing/Self Storage would like to apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this may have caused. We have been on the phone with Protix, the ticket outlet all morning. They have now changed the status of this concert to CANCELLED and are ready to start giving refunds. They have asked that you please be sure to include the actual ticket, (photocopies will not be accepted), as well as your name, address, and a phone number you can be reached. Only tickets eligible for refund will be refunded. Some events will have a refund cutoff date. Tickets must be received by that date to be eligible for refund. We recommend sending these tickets certified mail, as Protix is NOT responsible for lost or stolen tickets. Please contact Protix at 1-866-9PROTIX with any questions. Cancellations and rescheduling are decisions made by the artist and/or the promoter. Protix.com does not take part in any decisions made concerning a show being cancelled or rescheduled. If there is anything else we can do to help our customers, please don’t hesitate to call us at the office (918)775-6006, Thanks for the understanding!”
However, as of 5 p.m. Thursday, the Protix website still lists the concert as “postponed.”
The BackRoads Bar and Grill has remained quiet about the cancellation. No posts were made Thursday evening about the concert on their Facebook page.
