Promotion company cancels Third Day concert at Show Me Center

By MATT SANDERS

Southeast Missourian

Two days after the Show Me Center announced another addition to its fall concert lineup, an already scheduled concert has been canceled.

On Friday Premier Productions president Gary Gentry said the Nov. 5 concert by Christian rock band Third Day at the Show Me Center has been canceled. Premier, a company that promotes tours for Christian bands, is promoting Third Day's current tour.

Gentry didn't cite a reason for the cancellation, saying only that the company made an "internal decision" to back out of the Cape Girardeau date. Gentry wouldn't release the number of tickets that had been sold to the concert. "We never release those numbers to the public," he said.

Concert cancellations have occurred in the past at the Show Me Center. Last year a scheduled date by the Friends of Bob and Tom Comedy Tour was nixed due to slow ticket sales. In 2004, an appearance by comedian Dave Chappelle was canceled, with promoters citing scheduling conflicts with the production dates for Chappelle's TV show.

Show Me Center marketing director Shannon Buford said the venue had no figures on ticket sales. Buford said he was disappointed to see the concert canceled. He saw the band perform live earlier this month at a conference in Nashville.

"I was pretty excited to have them, especially after I saw them live," Buford said.

Tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase, Buford said. Service charges will also be refunded for orders made by phone or at the Show Me Center, he said.

The venue's other upcoming concerts -- the Trans-Siberian Orchestra on Nov. 15, Rick Springfield on Dec. 8 and the GAC Country Christmas Tour on Dec. 4 -- are still on the schedule.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182