Alabama Rap Fans Duped

Dothan, Ala., concert-goers expecting to hear rappers Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and Chamillionaire at the Houston County Farm Center were in for a big surprise when the December 9th gig was unexpectedly canceled.

Farm Center manager Mickey Sego said the venue was booked by promotional company Top Dog Entertainment. Rental money for the building had not been received at press time, and phone calls to the so-called promoter had not been returned.

Mike Jones manager Terrance Flowers of Texas-based Iceage Entertainment said he’s never heard of Top Dog Entertainment and had no knowledge of his client’s involvement with the bogus concert.

“I would say it was a scam because we didn’t sign any contracts or do anything on that date,” Flowers told Pollstar. “He already had another show on December 9th in Orlando (Fla.).”

District attorneys in Coffee and Houston counties began an investigation after businesses that sold tickets to the concert contacted police.

A local merchant who lost $1,600 selling tickets said he knew something was fishy the morning of the concert and tried to warn the radio station and other ticket outlets.

Ticket sales were nearly $4,000 for the event, which was heavily promoted by Dothan radio station WDBT 105.3.

Promotional materials with logos for MTV, MTV2, CMT and VH1 were illegally used to advertise the bogus event, according The Dothan Eagle. An MTV Networks spokeswoman said the company was in no way affiliated with the promotion of the concert.

— Mitchell Peters