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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
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Charity Claims Brandy Stiffed It by No-Showing

AUSTIN (CN) - After demanding a police escort, rhythm & blues singer Brandy failed to show up at an Austin music festival and left the promoter holding the bag, an Austin nonprofit claims in court.

Soul Tree Collective sued Brandy Norwood in Travis County Court.

Soul Tree hosts the Austin Urban Music Festival each year, a prime support of its charitable activities.

Soul Tree claims it hired Norwood for $30,000 to headline the 2013 festival, and also paid for her hotel and travel, and leased equipment as required by contract.

Less than 24 hours before her scheduled appearance, Brandy's manager told Soul Tree she would not arrive the morning of the performance and asked for an even more "exclusive and expensive suite," the complaint states.

Later that day, Soul Tree was told that Brandy's rescheduled flight had mechanical problems and would not arrive until 25 minutes before showtime.

"Defendant's management then requested that plaintiff provide a police escort to travel with defendant from the airport in Austin and also push her start time back even further to allow time to get to the venue," the complaint states. "Due to the untimely nature of those requests and City of Austin regulations regarding performance times at the venue, plaintiff could not make or agree to those accommodations."

Two hours before her scheduled set, Brandy's representatives said she would not make the show, though her band had arrived in Austin, according to the lawsuit.

"Neither defendant nor defendant's management provided any alternatives to limit plaintiff's damages, including rescheduling performance dates by the artist," the complaint states. "As a result of defendant's failure to travel to Austin and perform at the festival pursuant to her contractual obligations and her management's lack of solutions or remedies, plaintiff's representatives were forced to walk out on stage in front of the Friday night audience and explain that defendant would not be performing as promised to the ticket holders."

Heavy Rotation LLC - Brandy's booking agency - did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday evening.

Soul Tree supports rhythm & blues music students in Travis and Williamson counties, according to its website.

It seeks damages for breach of contract and promissory estoppel.

It is represented by R. Mark Willingham with Willingham Fultz in Houston.

Follow @davejourno
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