The series was to begin June 29th at the city’s Shelby Farms park with Kallen Esperian and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Scheduled concerts included Bonnie Raitt and Lyle Lovett, The Temptations, Michael McDonald, and Kirk Whalum.

Promoter Eli Ball of Buckwild Events told the city’s Commercial Appeal that people just aren’t buying tickets.

“We did our best job,” Ball said. “We scheduled it at a great venue. The timing just isn’t right, apparently.”

Ball was involved with a similar series last year at the Memphis Botanic Garden called Live At The Garden, which is still alive and kicking this summer with Ray Charles taking the stage tonight, June 21st, and Dr. John, Al Jarreau and Charlie Musselwhite lined up, among others.

Park officials hoped to make as much as $60,000 for the events, according to the paper. Shelby Farms is apparently not too far in the hole though because it had not started preparing for the concerts apart from repairing some potholes.

Likewise, Ball is supposed to be charged a penalty for canceling without 45 days’ notice but Shelby Farms board attorney David Knox told the Appeal it doesn’t look like the promoter will need to fork over any cash.