Outback Sues For Missing Payment

Mike Smardak’s Outback Concerts in Nashville has filed suit against Detroit’s Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, claiming the promotion company was never paid for an April 11th Etta James show.

According to the suit, Outback is owed $58,908, which includes ticket sale receipts and an additional "hold back" reserve of $500 for damage claims.

Smardak told Pollstar the issue is a simple one, if highly unusual. James practically sold out the 1,700-capacity PAC and, during settlement, Outback was told its percentage would come when the PAC received its share of ticket revenue from Ticketmaster. Ten days later, Outback was still out its money.

"A promoter has faith the buildings are holding your ticket money in escrow – or something," Smardak said. "This is crazy. It’s simple. We expect our money. It’s the simplest part of this process."

Outback claims the Music Hall told it that its share was spent paying other bills. But Smardak’s company has not heard from the PAC since and filed the lawsuit in mid-June.

Pollstar’s calls to the Music Hall were not returned at press time.