Gospel Mixup Labeled Scam

The June 27 concert was scheduled to take place at Bell Auditorium. It was moved to the Tabernacle when officials with Augusta Entertainment Complex – which includes the Bell and James Brown Arena – attempted to contact the artists, the Augusta Chronicle reported.

But Dower Live’s Sharif King blames the church for causing any confusion for fans. King told the paper he needed to pay $7,500 or face cancellation, so the show was moved from Bell Auditorium to the church. But when the church put a cap on attendance, King said he canceled the show, the artists were notified and local artists performed instead.

“This was not the James Fortune and Friends concert,” King told the paper. “This was a Tabernacle Baptist Church event.”

King said the show was canceled June 26 and it was the church’s responsibility to inform the public that only local artists would perform.

King claimed the original concert was postponed and Fortune tweeted day of show saying the same. But Winans landed in Augusta and prepared to perform, according to the paper.

Winans told the paper the concert was “a scam from the start,” adding, “Why did [King] pick me up from the airport if the show was postponed?”

The Tabernacle said its only role was to lease the venue.