Ne-Yo Sued For New Year’s Concert

Ne-Yo and Mike Esterman of Esterman Entertainment are being sued in Maryland by a promoter over the performer’s failure to appear at a 2008 New Year’s Eve concert in Washington state.

Esterman booked the show, and the lawsuit by promoter Kenyohn Clark seeks $1 million in damages. Clark claims the botched concert damaged his reputation and that Esterman refused to refund a $95,000 deposit.

The lawsuit says there was no excuse for the rapper’s no-show in Bellevue, Wash. Tickets sold for $125 to $1,275.

“It is old news from years ago,” Esterman told Pollstar. “The promoter breached payments and canceled the appearance the day of his arrival.”

Ne-Yo attorney John Scaldara said he believes the singer will win the lawsuit.

Ne-Yo is currently repped by Cara Lewis at WME Entertainment, and a spokeswoman for the agency told Pollstar it was not involved with the booking.