Atlanta
Hip-Hop quartet Dem Franchize Boyz was a no show Friday (July 21) at an event
which attracted 1,100 fans.The
group, under contract to perform at 10:30 p.m. at the Greenwood Civic Center in
South Carolina, was the scheduled headliner for the four and a half hour event,
which also featured a dance contest, DJ and other groups.Although promoters
informed the crowd at 11:20 p.m. that the group was on its way from Atlanta, they
canceled the performance by 12:30 a.m. During that time, Dem Franchize Boyz was
still on the road and in Elberton, Ga., according to the Index-Journal."They
were paid to show up. They did not show up, and everybody blames us and the promoter,"
said Tracy Upton, vice president for operations at the Civic Center. "The
promoter did one of the best jobs I’ve seen in a long time (getting word out about
the show). Their crowd was here, but the headliners did not show up."The
no show marked the second time in eight years a Civic Center act was paid and
failed to show up, remembered Upton, who called the situation "disappointing.""I
can’t get them to answer the phone; my lawyer can’t get them to answer the phone,"
said Johnson, who admitted that despite it being his first time working with Dem
Franchize Boyz, the group isn’t known for missing shows. "I think they’ve
showed up at all their concerts."Although,
the crowd became "real rowdy" when they were told Dem Franchize Boyz
would not perform, Reggie Johnson, the show’s promoter, said the crowd "left
because officers were there. They calmed down pretty quick."When
it was clear that Dem Franchize Boyz would not appear, extra security was called
in by officers on duty at the civic center, added Upton.Fans
looking for refunds were out of luck. Johnson told the Index-Journal Tuesday
(July 25) that all ticket revenues are with Dem Franchize Boyz’ management. As
a result, he doesn’t have any money for refunds. Parents demanding refunds at
the Civic Center also came away empty-handed after learning the reason why they
would not be compensated.To
make up for the mishap, Johnson’s company, RRJ Productions, will hold a pool party
and cookout for all ticket holders. The event will be 2 p.m. Saturday (July 29)
at the R.L. Stevens Recreation Center on Seaboard Avenue. The event will be paid
for by the company.In
addition to the pool party, Johnson mentioned a possible show in the future for
ticket-holders to "keep the (company’s) name good."