Concert Organizer Breaches Contract with Country Star Ashley Wineland

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Nov. 13, 2015 - PRLog -- It has been announced by T&T Management and Booking Agency, LLC, that they will be filing suit against the organizer of the event known as "The Keith Whitley Commemorative Double Shot of Country Tour". This action will be taken as a result of the organizers breaching their contractual agreement with Official CMT national recording artist, Ashley Wineland.

T&T was contacted by Rus Withers, DBA Global Media Journeys USA, who was talent buyer/agent in these negotiations, regarding Ms. Wineland’s appearance on this tour. A deal was struck; specifically pertaining to an appearance in Pecos, Texas, on November 14, 2015, at the Buck Jackson Arena, that promised Ms. Wineland a specific performance fee plus her rider. Several concessions were made in consideration of the tour--including the reduction of the deposit money (from 50% to 25%). The contract was accepted and signed by Mr. Withers. The agreed deposit was received by the T&T office; with the balance to be paid at sound check—which is standard practice in the industry. When the Advance Sheet was received back to the T&T office—past the due date and just days before the show--recapping and confirming all the specifications of the contract, Mr. Withers made several alterations; indicating an intent to breach the contract.

According to T&T CEO Tony Saldano, "From the very beginning, this tour was fraught with disorganization. There were several ‘red flags’, but we chalked it up to the organizer’s admitted inexperience. We worked diligently trying to guide him in proper protocol—including our Director of Public Relations and staff stepping in to construct a professional press release and designing a poster to support this event, when the ones presented were severely lacking."

"It is our job to look after the interest of our clients; both talent buyers and artists, and to advise them accordingly in everyone’s best interests. Due to this talent buyer’s unwillingness to meet his agreement, we have no other options but to cancel Ms. Wineland’s appearance due to a material breach of contract and nonpayment."

"Additionally, with Ms. Wineland’s impressive social media following, her popularity was utilized to promote this event, and advertisements were purchased in good faith by the management team to assist in the supporting of ticket sales and the Keith Whitley Commemorative Double Shot of Country Tour's efforts to induct Mr. Whitley into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Ms. Wineland and her band had to scheddule the time to make the journey to Pecos: forgoing other booking possibilities. Extra rehearsals were added and a request was made for Ms. Wineland to learn several Keith Whitley songs in support of this event. The inconvenience this breach has caused Ms. Wineland is far-reaching--along with the disappointment to her sizeable Texas fan base."

Saldano closes with the following statement: "No artist wants to cancel an appearance. In the case of Ms. Wineland, it is especially distressing. With all of the exposure she has provided this tour—to be forced to pull out of her appearance at the last minute due to a breach of her contract by the tour organizer—is not only disrespectful of her time, but affects her credibility and impacts her brand. She was excited to perform at this arena and had worked very hard to bring her talent to this event in support of the memory of the legendary Country icon, Keith Whitley, whom she admires greatly. Ms. Wineland, although just 17, is mature beyond her years and the consummate professional. We value the trust that she and her family has placed in our agency. Unfortunately, this particular circumstance is a case in point why artist’s rights need to be protected--not everyone honors their agreements and artists are often the victims of unethical business practices and are considered disposable. We are taking this treatment of Ms. Wineland very seriously and will let our legal department oversee the next steps to garner relief in this matter."