Hank Williams Jr. Cancels Peckfest Appearance, Side Stage Cancelled
Hank Williams Jr. was scheduled to be one of the headliners at this weekend’s Peckfest at the Kanawha River Campground in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, but has cancelled after the promoters could not fulfill their financial obligations. Subsequently, the talent on a side stage meant to highlight local and up-and-coming bands was also cancelled last minute, leaving multiple acts in the lurch.
Hank Jr. was scheduled to be the Saturday night (7-6) headliner of Peckfest, but said in a statement on July 3rd, “We regret to inform you that Hank Williams Jr will not be at the July 6th date in Point Pleasant, WV (Peck Fest 2019) due to contractual obligations not being met by the promoter of the concert. We regret having to cancel and are sorry for any inconvenience. Please contact the promoter for any further information and his refund policy.”
Peckfest said in a statement Friday afternoon, “We are working to build processes to handle ticket refunds as this is something we have never had to do before. If you wish to start the process before we have one in place you can reach out to your credit card issuer and request a refund. If you purchased your ticket through a third party you can reach out to them as well. We will alert you updates as they become available.”
Peckfest also offered ticketholders the ability to exchange their Saturday only tickets for Friday admittance if they chose.
Friday night headliners Brett Michaels and Buckcherry performed without a hitch at the festival, and posts on social media showed people enjoying themselves. But numerous bands scheduled to play on the festival’s “Rising Star Stage” both Friday and Saturday were told they could no longer perform. Goldtown, Ultra Sound, Metheney, and the Audio Outlaws were all scheduled to play on Friday, and Adam Parker Band, Corey Hager, Joanna Young, Dillon Jarrell were all scheduled to play on Saturday.
“Due to lack of response time and communication with the promoter of Peckfest we were force to cancel our show tomorrow,” said the Adam Parker Band Friday afternoon on Facebook. “Sorry to anyone who planned to come see us and stay turned for upcoming shows in the future.”
“Well, for those coming to see US at Peckfest, we got cancelled!!!” Ultra Sound posted. “Something about no second stage. The freaking saga continues …. lessons learned!! We greatly apologize to any of our fans making the trip.”
Performers Kris Armstrong, Adam Calvert, and Shana Smith were still scheduled to perform Saturday night, with CJ Solar headlining.
Peckfest was created in 2015 by Point Pleasant, West Virginia native Garry Peck, who wanted to create an outdoor music festival unlike anything else in the area. “Garry and his team have worked so hard to create an event that benefits the entire community,” a statement said in part after the Hank Williams Jr. cancellation, as the festival was trying to readjust the lineup. In February, Garry Peck was sued in Mason County, West Virginia for over $700,000 by multiple individuals and companies for breach of contract for failing to pay contractors for labor and services received. It is unclear if the lawsuit is related directly to Peckfest.
The issues with Peckfest underscore the difficulties many local and regional independent promoters are facing amid rising talent and overhead costs, increased competition, and the encroachment of large promoters such as LiveNation into the local festival space.
July 6, 2019 @ 3:19 pm
It is really unfortunate to report on these stories. Ticketholders are angry and demand refunds, and bands feel left in the lurch. Sometimes the promoters are crooks, but many times they’re just trying to throw a cool local festival, their heart is in the right place, and they get over their heads. Hopefully everything works out for everyone.
July 7, 2019 @ 6:23 pm
I’d love to bring all us guys my band metheney being one . who got canceled together for a free show that would be great
July 6, 2019 @ 3:55 pm
I heard that the main reason Hank cancelled was because he wanted a helicopter to take him straight from the airport to the festival but they couldn’t get one.
July 6, 2019 @ 4:01 pm
Sounds like a wild rumor, but if the promoter contracted to do it, it’s still on him.
July 6, 2019 @ 4:41 pm
Sturgill= That’s kind of what I was thinking but like KGD said, promoter shouldn’t have agreed. This festival site is located near Point Pleasant, WV on the Kanawha River. It is rural. Gallipolis has a small local airport & so does Point. Obviously, Charleston WV has a larger airport. Someone’s gotta have a helicopter somewhere you’d think! I also think it’s something to do with the rider/contract that the Peck’s agreed to & didn’t fulfill. It’s sad & bad you matter how you look at it.
July 8, 2019 @ 6:46 am
Mickey, I’m not from West Virginia myself but I am employed by a native West Virginian Mr. Chris Cline who was actually killed this past week on the 4th of July along with his daughter and 5 others in a helicopter crash. It’s kind of odd since we were actually on the topic of helicopters with Hank.
July 7, 2019 @ 8:21 pm
That’s fucking HANK with no doubt they should of picked him up and drop him off on that stage legend luv ya hank jr they don’t make music like hank no more Waylon con way jimmy reed much luv and respect to the Greatest’s man bad ass country boy
July 6, 2019 @ 3:56 pm
Just curious, what does this have to do with Live Nation?
July 7, 2019 @ 10:05 am
LiveNation is very quickly monopolizing the live music space by buying up local and regional promoters, as well as local events and venues. Imagine Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger King, and Subway all joining together. That’s basically LiveNation, and it’s putting a squeeze on local promoters.
July 6, 2019 @ 4:35 pm
I live near this festival site. Its def been on the news. At first, I thought there might have been confusion with Hank’s contract/rider because Brett Michaels & Buckcherry did show up & play. But, who really knows. I don’t know the Pecks either & I’m hoping they were just trying to throw a cool local festival & got in over their heads. Can’t recall how many years this has taken place. Maybe 2-3. I do remember Tracy Lawrence playing I think last year. Before that, it was small local groups. So, yep prob got in over their heads. Obviously, ticket holders are not happy & the Peck’s should refund their money. If they don’t, I’m sure a lot of people won’t take the chance again. It is sad because there’s not much in this neck of the woods & it could have been a yearly superb event.
July 7, 2019 @ 10:03 am
A lot of these local festivals love to go chasing big headliner names and want to grow exponentially each year. It’s often better just to keep it cool and local. Sure, book some bigger names to come in as headliners, but you’re not going to compete with Bonnaroo. Instead, highlight some of the local and regional talent that needs support, and use mid-level headliners to get people from the region to pay attention.
July 6, 2019 @ 5:17 pm
Saw him at Riverfest in Chattanooga…………great show, no helicopters………..although, he might have had a boat. If you can’t pay the band, then don’t promise they’ll be at your show………With the cost of hauling that show around, those guys can’t work for free…
July 6, 2019 @ 6:37 pm
Ah, Point Pleasant. Site of a Virginian victory over the Indians in 1774.
July 6, 2019 @ 7:22 pm
Who the hell creates and names a music festival after themselves?
July 6, 2019 @ 10:40 pm
“All my rowdy friends aren’t coming to Peckfest tonight”
July 7, 2019 @ 6:43 am
Sad and unreasonable
July 7, 2019 @ 8:28 am
Any chance of an article about an Illinois State Fair banning Confederate Railroad merely because of the band’s name?
July 7, 2019 @ 9:36 am
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/40745464/act-removed-from-du-quoin-state-fair-lineup?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WSIL_News_3
Check out thus link. It was actually the Illinois Department of Agriculture. I used to live in the town in which they hold this particular fair. It is strictly a state government decision to cancel Confederate Railroad.
July 7, 2019 @ 9:58 am
I am actively working on a story about this.
July 7, 2019 @ 11:09 am
Oh man, that story will be a whooper Trig. You are a brave man and be ready for all the comments, mine included.
July 7, 2019 @ 10:56 am
Thanks.
Same state that is bankrupt and cannot finish its roads.
Priorities, people.
July 7, 2019 @ 4:07 pm
I live in IL and it’s turned into a complete shit hole. Corruption, high taxes, etc. and as someone else mentioned shitty roads (unless you live north of Joliet). This is asinine. I can’t wait to retire and leave this state!
July 7, 2019 @ 10:07 am
Dig behind the public statements, and I’d bank on it being Chicago just doing their thing.
July 7, 2019 @ 8:43 am
This is the second event I know of recently were the national act didn’t want (demanded) local acts on the same bill. Is this a trend and why?
July 7, 2019 @ 10:01 am
I have been able to receive no confirmation that it was the headliners who demanded the opening bands be cancelled. I saw the rumor Buckcherry demanded this, but if that was the case, why did the 2nd stage get cancelled both days? The 2nd stage talent was not competing with the headliners whatsoever. It seems more logical the fest either could pay them, couldn’t pay for sound, etc. Sure, sometimes headliners have unreasonable demands. I just don’t see that as the hangup here. If it was the reason Hank Jr. cancelled, then they would have probably had their openers play anyway.
July 7, 2019 @ 10:32 am
I don’t think Hank Jr. had any clue there were any other artists performing this event. Jr. would share the stage with a three-legged donkey as long as he got paid (or a helicopter). I was going off Buckcherry rumor. A promoter here for the Pittsburgh Arts Festival told me recently national acts first request or stipulation is no local opening acts.
July 7, 2019 @ 12:57 pm
Screw those national acts. That’s outrageous.
July 7, 2019 @ 10:22 am
Having promoted shows the bottom line is you don’t sign the contract unless you have the money in your account up front before tickets go on sale. You have to read the ryder and meet its demands our don’t sign the contract period. Sometimes you win sometimes you lose be prepared for that or get out of the game.
July 7, 2019 @ 11:37 am
TXMUSICJIM- Spot On
July 7, 2019 @ 11:49 am
Just one more reason I’ll never spend another dime to see Junior!
July 7, 2019 @ 4:45 pm
The Rock just shouted out Sturgill, Cody Jinks, Tyler Childers, Chris Stapleton, and Jamey Johnson on Instagram. Specifically Sturgill this time, just like he did with Cody Jinks last time.
July 9, 2019 @ 11:49 am
Cutting edge. In 2015. 😀
July 7, 2019 @ 6:19 pm
Hello my name is Matt Metheney. Front man to the country band Metheney who was supposed to play . I get things like this happen . It came down to money and not having it but why cancel use local guys who bring in a ton of ppl and money to see use on a big stage .. that’s what got me! Definitely done all is wrong and I’d love to find. A place where all is guys who got screwed to play our own festival for the ppl that was coming to see us ! Maybe hank would come to lol!
July 7, 2019 @ 7:40 pm
I understand that people have to be paid,in Hanks case its more ego than money, Just ask Hank and he’s more than happy to bragg on. His self.Yes he’s an American icon so why would he put fans first? Garth would never cancel…
July 12, 2019 @ 8:06 am
he’s also tourin with skynyrd right now. seeing them tuesday matter of fact. those old boys gotta good party goin’ on, and Hank’s choice was gettin stiffed or partyin on
c’mon what choice would yall make?