Texas Music Singer Kevin Fowler's Concert Promoter Runs Afoul of City Rules

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Aug. 25 concert headlined by Kevin Fowler at the Spring Creek Marina had to move or not happen at all. That’s what City of San Angelo Parks and Recreation Director Carl White said Thursday morning.

The concert location, planned for east of Spring Creek Marina at Hughes Point on Lake Nasworthy, was supposed to open a whole new concept for concerts in San Angelo. Promoter Ray Broadway, who just moved to San Angelo from Nevada, runs the marina and thought he’d reserve the City-owned land inside Spring Creek Park, after he witnessed how many people could congregate there during the Showdown in San Angelo, the annual boat races.

Operating on what Broadway described as verbal approval from City officials, he set forth booking Fowler and putting together the event. He sold hundreds of tickets on Stubwire and purchased expensive radio advertising.

“I got approval from the wrong people,” Broadway admitted.

White, who oversees the City of San Angelo Civic Events department that controls public events on City-owned property, said the concert is a great idea, but because of several ordinances in place, he cannot approve the event as planned.

Among the issues, White said, is that the event is advertised as BYOB. This runs afoul of the City’s concessions contract with the concessions company, San Angelo Host, and likely the restrictions against BYOB events at City venues enacted after the infamous Blaine’s Picnic event at the downtown RiverStage raised safety concerns in 2006. A sound ordinance, and the waiver of the gate fee into Spring Creek Park for the event were other issues.

“I need 90 days to get these on the City Council agenda for them to provide a variance to the City ordinances,” White explained. White said the application was submitted less than 30 days prior to the event.

Broadway said his request was made months before, but since his approval was only verbal, not in writing, he admitted he has no leg to stand on. Broadway said he intended to pay for the Spring Creek Park entrance fee for each car out of the ticket sales revenue. As for alcohol, he said when people purchase a ticket to stay or camp at Spring Creek Park, they bring their own alcohol, so the venue is already BYOB, he contended.

However, when admission is charged at a City-owned property, the rules change, and the City has a contractual obligation to not allow BYOB.

With no City approval, Broadway’s options were to cancel, reschedule, or move the event. He chose to move the event to the coliseum.

Since the announcement of the move, Broadway said he has received a flood of requests for refunds for tickets sold in advance.

“A lot of people were going because of the venue,” wrote one customer requesting a refund. “I live very close to you guys, and I am very happy to support you guys. How do we get a refund? … All in all, it was always about the location!!!”

White said he believes Broadway is a go-getter and, “He is doing great things for the marina. I want to help him do more.” But, White said, his position as an officer for the City requires him to uphold the City ordinances. “There just wasn’t enough time to get this in front of council for approval of the variances,” White said.

Broadway said he is continuing to work with the City on other projects and doesn’t want this unfortunate set of circumstances jeopardize his working relationship with the City in the future.

The concert was moved to the coliseum because by the time Broadway was told he could not hold his event at Hughes Point at Lake Nasworthy, the coliseum was the only venue not booked.

Because of contractual arrangement with Fowler’s agent, Broadway said the performer was not flexible on changing dates to give him more time to obtain City approval. He has to move the concert or forfeit Fowler’s performance fee.

Kevin Fowler performs at the San Angelo Coliseum, Saturday, August 25. Doors open at 5 p.m.